Thanks, will do. Is there a simple way to tell if bearings are shot? Should head spin freely and smoothly by hand? There are no separate thread gears on this machine right? Just check that no teeth are missing, etc. on gears that are mounted on machine?
Here's a video I found (different machine). I'm hoping it's the 13x36. He told me 13" swing, 36" between centers, about 6 feet long and 2500 lbs, so I think it is the bigger machine. Not sure why he sent me the pic of the 10x24, I didn't even ask for a picture, LOL...
cgrutt,
I've bought unpowered machinery before. Here's what I looked at:
1. Overall condition. Stored inside or looks like it was outside for 30 years? Are the ways smooth? Are any of the components broken off?
2. Move the apron along the entire length of the ways. If it moves smoothly, great. If it hangs up, that's a concern, but may be adjusted out.
3. Move all of the other controls back & forth, as far as they can go. you want smooth movement and little backlash. BTW: Expect some backlash. Also, sometimes if the movement isn't smooth, it just may need some oil.
4. Spin the chuck when out of gear, should feel smooth. Also, try to wiggle the chuck, should be no movement. If so, you have a problem. Put the chuck in gear. You should not be able to turn it or you should be able to turn it with the gears, depending what gear you're in.
5. Very important: Look inside the gear box. Anything broken of if there's metal chunks in the oil, there are problems. Deal breaker.
6. With the motor, you can check the resistance of the windings (very little resistance & close to equal resistance between the windings is good) and check to make sure that there is NO continuity between the motor terminal & the machine frame (ground).
From the idea that I got from your original post & picture, you should have little to worry about.
Edit: Moving it should be easy. If it was me, I'd just call a tow truck and pay them to do it. That's how I got my milling machine.
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