My dad has a Wells Index model 847 knee mill in his shop. It's rarely used and needs a good going through, lubing, and cleaning. I've used it a few times but it's so cluttered in his shop I get frustrated working in there, and I've just been using the Bridgeport at work when I really need to get something done.
Anyway I'm moving on from this job and will no longer have access to a machine shop, and I want to take a good look at the mill.
On first glance it's an 847 like I said, belt drive, auto down feed head, and some sort of auto feed on the table as well. The table X-Y seems to have about 0.030" back lash in the screws, but I haven't tried to adjust anything. One thing I did find interesting is that this machine doesn't have an oiling system, and instead has grease fittings on it.
Now to my question. Going through the basic operations of the machine, I've noticed the auto down feed system doesn't work. Here's a link to a similar model:
With the head in high speed, the machine functions as it should apart from auto down. In low speed, I noticed that the fine adjustment wheel turns, and this does not change with the auto feed gear knob in neutral. Similarly, in high speed, auto down neutral, I cannot get the fine adjustment wheel to move when engaged to allow me the fine adjustment. It does still lock out the quill, and disengages with the lever. The FWD/REV pull knob in the middle of the fine adjustment wheel is also stuck.
Moving to auto down engagement, I can engage the auto down main drive. However, moving the gear selector knob to any neutral or gear position makes no difference in operation. So for now, I've disengaged everything, put auto down in neutral, and will just use the machine in high speed when needed, since it seems to work fine there.
Is anyone familiar with these machines able to give me an idea on the surface where to look for an issue/what may be wrong? I'm figure the head is gonna have to be removed and torn down to fix it, but I'd kinda like an idea before I jump in. I suspect the head bearings should be replaced as well anyways.
I also have no idea how to use the table auto feed. It does kick on but what it does is a mystery to me.
Anyway I'm moving on from this job and will no longer have access to a machine shop, and I want to take a good look at the mill.
On first glance it's an 847 like I said, belt drive, auto down feed head, and some sort of auto feed on the table as well. The table X-Y seems to have about 0.030" back lash in the screws, but I haven't tried to adjust anything. One thing I did find interesting is that this machine doesn't have an oiling system, and instead has grease fittings on it.
Now to my question. Going through the basic operations of the machine, I've noticed the auto down feed system doesn't work. Here's a link to a similar model:
With the head in high speed, the machine functions as it should apart from auto down. In low speed, I noticed that the fine adjustment wheel turns, and this does not change with the auto feed gear knob in neutral. Similarly, in high speed, auto down neutral, I cannot get the fine adjustment wheel to move when engaged to allow me the fine adjustment. It does still lock out the quill, and disengages with the lever. The FWD/REV pull knob in the middle of the fine adjustment wheel is also stuck.
Moving to auto down engagement, I can engage the auto down main drive. However, moving the gear selector knob to any neutral or gear position makes no difference in operation. So for now, I've disengaged everything, put auto down in neutral, and will just use the machine in high speed when needed, since it seems to work fine there.
Is anyone familiar with these machines able to give me an idea on the surface where to look for an issue/what may be wrong? I'm figure the head is gonna have to be removed and torn down to fix it, but I'd kinda like an idea before I jump in. I suspect the head bearings should be replaced as well anyways.
I also have no idea how to use the table auto feed. It does kick on but what it does is a mystery to me.