Seth Quarrier
Plastic
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2011
- Location
- Berlin, NH USA
Hi,
I have a Van Norman 1/2 mill, not sure the date but late 19'th to early 20'th century, post Springfield move anyways. It was in service in a shop as of a couple of years ago making tooling for a jewelry wire factory in RI. Anyways when I pulled it home a couple of years ago, I greased the bearings with axle grease, not realizing the issues of grease compatibility etc, I see no evidence of separation or heating so I think they where compatible and I just got lucky. Anyways, I recently noticed some end play in the spindle and decided to clean out the grease, inspect the bearing etc. I also wanted to double check I was removing the end play the right way, so I pulled it apart. It has two opposing tapered bronze plain bearings to support the spindle. The upper bearing is in beautiful shape, looks brand new and perfect and the lower one is visibly ridged and worn, but comparing to some other bearings I have seen you all have, I think by no means shot. It looks like thrust was provided by both the tapers and by a flange running along the end of the bushing, which has significant wear, I expect it has lost at least a 1/16" over the years judging by the worn lip. I thought you all might be interested in seeing some pictures of the machine and bearing and I was also wondering if anyone has lubrication suggestions, it was originally greased, but I have wondered about rigging an oilier (it would have to be based around flexible tubing to handle the head tilt), if grease, what grease do you recommend. The original literature mentioned a top spindle speed of 300rpm but that might have been due to it's countershaft setup, not its bearings. I haven't run it over 270, but in vertical mode the faster the better, so I was wondering what speed people would run it to under very light load with a small endmill (I have never experienced any heating) or if there are any other modifications, repairs that you all would make. It also has some wear on the bevel gears, but I think it is more cosmetic then functional. It is a neat old beast and it would be fun to get it in tip-top shape.
Thanks for the input,
Seth
I have a Van Norman 1/2 mill, not sure the date but late 19'th to early 20'th century, post Springfield move anyways. It was in service in a shop as of a couple of years ago making tooling for a jewelry wire factory in RI. Anyways when I pulled it home a couple of years ago, I greased the bearings with axle grease, not realizing the issues of grease compatibility etc, I see no evidence of separation or heating so I think they where compatible and I just got lucky. Anyways, I recently noticed some end play in the spindle and decided to clean out the grease, inspect the bearing etc. I also wanted to double check I was removing the end play the right way, so I pulled it apart. It has two opposing tapered bronze plain bearings to support the spindle. The upper bearing is in beautiful shape, looks brand new and perfect and the lower one is visibly ridged and worn, but comparing to some other bearings I have seen you all have, I think by no means shot. It looks like thrust was provided by both the tapers and by a flange running along the end of the bushing, which has significant wear, I expect it has lost at least a 1/16" over the years judging by the worn lip. I thought you all might be interested in seeing some pictures of the machine and bearing and I was also wondering if anyone has lubrication suggestions, it was originally greased, but I have wondered about rigging an oilier (it would have to be based around flexible tubing to handle the head tilt), if grease, what grease do you recommend. The original literature mentioned a top spindle speed of 300rpm but that might have been due to it's countershaft setup, not its bearings. I haven't run it over 270, but in vertical mode the faster the better, so I was wondering what speed people would run it to under very light load with a small endmill (I have never experienced any heating) or if there are any other modifications, repairs that you all would make. It also has some wear on the bevel gears, but I think it is more cosmetic then functional. It is a neat old beast and it would be fun to get it in tip-top shape.
Thanks for the input,
Seth