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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default AL336 main bearing confusion

    G'day everyone.
    I own a hafco al336 centre lathe and it screams like a banshee! Has always been noisy but I wish to replace the existing bearings in the lathe with some decent brand name bearings. I don't know anything about bearing numbers or which type!
    I have the parts list for this lathe and the main bearing is a D7212 bearing but I cannot for the life of me find any information out about this part.
    First I rang Hare and Forbes and asked about this bearing but the best answer he could give me was to contact a bearing place.
    After talking to the bearing place they came up with SKF 7212 BEP bearing which after looking at various pictures of this bearing does not resemble the bearing in the lathe. The existing bearing runs roller bearings instead of ball bearings. Perhaps it is the correct bearing and I am confused for no reason.

    My question is this:
    Does anyone here have any idea about his bearing or where to find them?
    Maybe someone knows of a site with a similar lathe where they have changed out the bearing and I can look for more info?

    Thanks and regards Peter Kosten.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    moonbi nsw Aus
    Age
    69
    Posts
    364

    Default

    If you are serious about changing the bearings I would remove them from your lathe clean up and take them to the bearing place and let them do the measuring and supply you with the correct new ones. Identification is crucial for fitment.
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    There usually splash feed to lubricate them, is the oil level up?

    Yourt bet is to remove the bearings and take them to a bearing place.
    Saying that I searched for precision tapered roller bearings for my mill, only one place could supply them in P5, as the others took P5 as clearance not precision.
    I've taken my bearings out of my similar lathe and there light press fit.
    I could take a photo of my manual, but a Toolex lathe might be different
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Thanks for the prompt reply. Oil is well maintained and recently replaced.
    I had wished to order the parts and do it all in one operation but removal and taking them to a bearing place is an option as there are a few in my town
    and probably the best way to do it. I had hoped to find out what sort of hit my pocket would need to take before I commit.
    Time I think to bite the bullet and dismantle my head stock!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    Have you checked the preload on the brgs, they might just be a wee bit tight ?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    I agree taper roller bearings don't usually squeal.
    The bearings for my mill are smaller than my lathe, for 4 bearings (2 spindles horizontal and vertical)was $800.
    Narrow it down before buying spindle bearings.
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    How old is this lathe?
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    The AL3336 lathe description reads

    Adjustable taper roller bearings support the spindle

    Roller bearings are what you appear to have. Nothing surprises me when it comes to Chinese manufacturing.
    Some questions first.
    Have you had the top cover off your lathe yet?

    Have you checked your lathe for the correct grade and quantity of oil?

    I would surmise the lathe a similar splash lube system to mine, as they are almost identical in external appearance. A small internal gutter catches the splashed oil from the cover and channels it around to the holes supplying bearing housings.
    Warning at this point.Do not be tempted to flick the jog button and flick it over without the cover in place. I can assure you the splash system performs exceedingly well.

    What I found was that a loose portion of the sealant had partially blocked the gravity feed hole to the inboard bearing.

    I gave mine a gutful of Castrol Hyspin and not touched it since.It still rattles and clangs but has done that since day one.

    Some of the above may be possibly the reason for the racket but the lathes are inherently noisy anyway.My lathe is a Metal Master 1236 circa 2007.

    When I made inquiries about non Chinese precision lathe bearings the answer came back they were 1/3rd the original cost of the lathe.
    I never bothered after that and the lathe still runs.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    Peter I had an AL336 for a few years and l was just thinking about the tin pate on top of the apron, part No 4 page 23, if you don't seal this plate your apron will get coolant and swarf in it.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Richmond
    Posts
    214

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sparkiekosten View Post
    G'day everyone.
    I own a hafco al336 centre lathe and it screams like a banshee! Has always been noisy but I wish to replace the existing bearings in the lathe with some decent brand name bearings. I don't know anything about bearing numbers or which type!
    I have the parts list for this lathe and the main bearing is a D7212 bearing but I cannot for the life of me find any information out about this part.
    First I rang Hare and Forbes and asked about this bearing but the best answer he could give me was to contact a bearing place.
    After talking to the bearing place they came up with SKF 7212 BEP bearing which after looking at various pictures of this bearing does not resemble the bearing in the lathe. The existing bearing runs roller bearings instead of ball bearings. Perhaps it is the correct bearing and I am confused for no reason.

    My question is this:
    Does anyone here have any idea about his bearing or where to find them?
    Maybe someone knows of a site with a similar lathe where they have changed out the bearing and I can look for more info?

    Thanks and regards Peter Kosten.
    That bearing is even available on fleabay. NSK brand for around $100. Any bearing supplier should have it. Are you sure the bearing in your machine is a roller or is it the angular contact as per number?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    It is not the change gears being too tightly meshed? They can really howl.

    It is just not usually bearings. I know they often get the blame, but more often then not they are fine.

    If they are 7212 bearings, watch you do not make them all fall apart when installing/removing them. Angular contacts have a tendency to fall to pieces if pressed the wrong way.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    269

    Default

    What chambezio said. In the process of replacing my bearings, too them all out, seals etc, clips, placed in seperate ckick lok bags and took them to a bearing place, three weeks later and $700 i have them all in, ready to make stuff again. Know its daunting when you open it up and look, take pics, lots of them, then work backwards on reassembly.

    DD

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    If your spindle bearings are so shot as to be making a noise, I would suspect it would affect your surface finish on any work you have turned on the machine. Have you been happy with the surface finish attained on this machine?

    Proper P5 rated bearings for your machine from a reputable bearing supplier (NSK, NTN, Timken SKF, FAG, etc) will not be cheap. The source of the noise may be from one of the many other bearings in the headstock, which are significantly cheaper. Does it make the same noise no matter what gear you choose? What about in a neutral position? If you are careful, you can place one of the gear selectors inbetween gears and effectively find "neutral" it's not designed for that but you can use it to your advantage in troubleshooting problems.

    Remove the drive belt and try again, could it just be an electric motor noise?

    What about when under load? If you are performing a heavy cut (heavy for your machine that is) does the noise change?

    FWIW, I replaced ALL the bearings in my lathe about 5 years ago including the 2 P5 spindle bearings. The headstock was filled with old casting sand and it destroyed the spindle bearings. I have a photo somewhere of my headstock as a bare casting with nothing else. I stripped and repainted the inside with POR 15 paint. and replaced the spindle bearings with FAG P5 bearings. They were not cheap but I hunted around and got a good deal, one from the US and one from UK. They were about $150 each, delivered. Brisbane bearings quoted me $480 for one. Changing the bearings made a drastic improvement on the surface finish I was able to obtain but my bearings were totally flogged, but they still did not make a bad noise.

    Cheers,

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,277

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    If your spindle bearings are so shot as to be making a noise, I would suspect it would affect your surface finish on any work you have turned on the machine. Have you been happy with the surface finish attained on this machine?

    Proper P5 rated bearings for your machine from a reputable bearing supplier (NSK, NTN, Timken SKF, FAG, etc) will not be cheap. The source of the noise may be from one of the many other bearings in the headstock, which are significantly cheaper. Does it make the same noise no matter what gear you choose? What about in a neutral position? If you are careful, you can place one of the gear selectors inbetween gears and effectively find "neutral" it's not designed for that but you can use it to your advantage in troubleshooting problems.

    Remove the drive belt and try again, could it just be an electric motor noise?

    What about when under load? If you are performing a heavy cut (heavy for your machine that is) does the noise change?

    FWIW, I replaced ALL the bearings in my lathe about 5 years ago including the 2 P5 spindle bearings. The headstock was filled with old casting sand and it destroyed the spindle bearings. I have a photo somewhere of my headstock as a bare casting with nothing else. I stripped and repainted the inside with POR 15 paint. and replaced the spindle bearings with FAG P5 bearings. They were not cheap but I hunted around and got a good deal, one from the US and one from UK. They were about $150 each, delivered. Brisbane bearings quoted me $480 for one. Changing the bearings made a drastic improvement on the surface finish I was able to obtain but my bearings were totally flogged, but they still did not make a bad noise.

    Cheers,

    Simon
    Good points Simon.

    Try and isolate the source of the noise before you pull it down.

    Maybe disengage parts of the gear train and run the lathe to see if the noise changes?
    Use a screwdriver as a stethoscope to pin point the noise?

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Bundaberg QLD
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shedhappens View Post
    Have you checked the preload on the brgs, they might just be a wee bit tight ?

    I have no problems turning the chuck by hand when I need to adjust for the gear box or realign for the head stock. Either way I would feel better for replacing cheap bearings with something which will make the lathe that little nicer to use.

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