I turn on a Delta 46-755 and have been having some problems with the tailstock. When I first begin to make the quill move toward the headstock it almost takes two hands to turn the wheel. However, when you get about half the length out, the turning gets much easier. I'm going to take the assembly apart but would welcome any advise on what to look for and/or what type of maintenace or repairs I can make. In anticipation of any major problems I have researched replacement parts but the quill is listed as "back ordered" and not even Delta seems to know when it might be in. I assume I'm going to have to seek the services of a local machine shop?
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Tailstock question
- Thread starter Finn Posner
- Start date
Sounds like some kind of obstruction that binds between the threads......and once it's outside, it turns freely.
First thing would be to clean out the threads, inside and out.......put it back together and re-evaluate. Could be a bit of debris, or rust, or ?, but a good cleaning would be the first thing to do.
ooc
First thing would be to clean out the threads, inside and out.......put it back together and re-evaluate. Could be a bit of debris, or rust, or ?, but a good cleaning would be the first thing to do.
ooc
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My guess is that the problem is related to the track that keeps ram going In and out instead of round and round.
the guide pin has most likely rubbed a burr on one side of the track. Or it has deformed the track in some way.
If you do a lot of drilling for example the pin rubs on the edge of the track and rolls the metal up a bit.
You need to remove the rolled up metal. It isn't much. A little work with Emory cloth just along edge will fix it
Or it could just be a lot of dirt on the ram.
Could be the threads are worn on the screw or the ram. You can see if the screw threads in and out of the ram when it is apart.
Clean the threads. I fixed a used lathe a long time ago by re- tapping the ram.
Ram could be bent. This is not likely. Roll it on a flat surface like a table saw or sheet of class.
Have fun.
Al
the guide pin has most likely rubbed a burr on one side of the track. Or it has deformed the track in some way.
If you do a lot of drilling for example the pin rubs on the edge of the track and rolls the metal up a bit.
You need to remove the rolled up metal. It isn't much. A little work with Emory cloth just along edge will fix it
Or it could just be a lot of dirt on the ram.
Could be the threads are worn on the screw or the ram. You can see if the screw threads in and out of the ram when it is apart.
Clean the threads. I fixed a used lathe a long time ago by re- tapping the ram.
Ram could be bent. This is not likely. Roll it on a flat surface like a table saw or sheet of class.
Have fun.
Al
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I just cleaned and lubed my t-stock ram and I used PG2000 . This stuff is really nice it's for cleaning, lubing and moisture displacement. It's a sorta dry lube but it worked wonders on my General 160-18 T-stock.I do this every couple months. I started using it on my lathe ways and everything moves real smooth and so far it's been about 3 weeks and everything is still working great.
I just fixed a club lathe today and as AL said the pin had burred the slot cleaned it all up after removing the burr sprayed with WD40 now it works fine
Ian
Ian
Well folks last night I took the TS apart. My greatest fear was unfounded as the screw turned very well inside the quill. The quill however just didnt seem to want to slid in and out of the TS casting. So I did a little filing, some cleaning, adjusting with the appropriate hammer and lubrication and now it seems to work much better. I think if I'm more prudent with my maintenance this will happen less often. Thanks to all the help!!!
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I agree with Al that a bur on the keyway is the most likely culprit whenever this happens. I use Johnson's Paste Wax as the lubricant - wipe on a thin layer, let it dry to a haze and then buff it off with a clean shop towel. It is very slick and dust does not adhere to it like it would with oil. Be kind to your tailstock by not honking down too hard on the handwheel. The screw gives a huge mechanical advantage so it is possible to distort the threads not to mention what it is doing to the live center and headstock bearings which are not designed for axial loads on most lathes.