Halifax 10" lathe

[i lunn]

Hi all refurbishing a very old Halifax 10" lathe that has not run for many years. There is a bearing on the L.h end of the main spindle its looks like taper roller bearing hoping you can see pickture bellow in its the 5th item from left . I does not want to slide off, Should it? or will I need puller? I have tried to leaver with two screwdrivers but don't want to damage it.

[EddyCurrent]

I don't know if you've used a bearing puller before, but if not you need to apply force to the inner ring only, the one that's on the shaft. If you apply pressure to the outer ring you will damage the bearing.
Sometimes you can make a steel wedge, with a slot in to take the shaft, and drive it in behind the bearing, you may need a packing washer that contacts the inner race only.

[Ross77]

I have one those, its the uk version of the Atlas if memory serves. Stronger/wider castings but full of plastic parts.

There should be a roller bearing on each end. They will slide of but are press fitted to resist centrifugal force so take some getting off, you will need a puller or carefully beat the crap out of it with brass drifts. (not ideal)

If you don't need to take them off then I would leave them alone. I had to on mine because the main gear was damaged.

[i lunn]

I have one those, its the uk version of the Atlas if memory serves. Stronger/wider castings but full of plastic parts.

There should be a roller bearing on each end. They will slide of but are press fitted to resist centrifugal force so take some getting off, you will need a puller or carefully beat the crap out of it with brass drifts. (not ideal)

If you don't need to take them off then I would leave them alone. I had to on mine because the main gear was damaged.

Couple reasons to take them off main is to wash dirt out of bearings and the second is the thread on left off spindle where the collar 9.32 screws on is stripped (only about the first 8mm) so when down to bare shaft thinking possible re threading with slightly smaller thread then making a new collar unless any one can offer another idea! its one of them situations where I could do with a lathe to repair this lathe. Am I correct in thinking this collar is for adjusting the pre-load on the bearings?
If I do manage to remove the bearings do they go up to a shoulder when refitting?

[Ross77]

You can clean the bearings by just separating the outer from the inner as they are tapper bearings. has yours got the removable caps over the bearings?

Yes the thread is there to preload the bearings, how much thread is left? Not sure how easy it will be to rethread as I think it will be hardened. Is there not enough thread to cover the lock nut?

I did mine a while ago but don't think there are any collars. there is the main shoulder at the nose end but then the bearing inner races are compressed to preload the bearings.

I have to go to the workshop tomorrow to check a few bits for the mill so I will have a look at the spare spindle to see what its like.

[i lunn]

You can clean the bearings by just separating the outer from the inner as they are tapper bearings. has yours got the removable caps over the bearings?

Yes the thread is there to preload the bearings, how much thread is left? Not sure how easy it will be to rethread as I think it will be hardened. Is there not enough thread to cover the lock nut?

I did mine a while ago but don't think there are any collars. there is the main shoulder at the nose end but then the bearing inner races are compressed to preload the bearings.

I have to go to the workshop tomorrow to check a few bits for the mill so I will have a look at the spare spindle to see what its like.

Thanks Ross. Appreciated.
There is hardly any thread visable when all gears are in position. Anouther idea I had was to recess (counter bore) the small gear so I can pick up on threads hidden by gear but could/would weaken the gear somewhat. Anouther spindle at right price is better option.

[Ross77]

Thanks Ross. Appreciated.
There is hardly any thread visable when all gears are in position. Anouther idea I had was to recess (counter bore) the small gear so I can pick up on threads hidden by gear but could/would weaken the gear somewhat. Anouther spindle at right price is better option.

Ok the rear bearing slides on the shaft to allow for adjustment so there is no shoulder. You have to align the bearings with the caps on the housing.

If you didnt want the power feed or threading option then you could just leave out the drive gear.

You might be able to rethread it but thought it was worth mentioning about the hardening. Yeah a replacement would probably be best :0)