Vintage press - cleaning and maintaining

[Stefan S]

I just bought this 1962 Clausing 22v - moving it sucked *** so I guess it's well made.

What types of thing do I need to do to maintain the press - I noticed the motor has zirk fittings... Is mobile 1 synthetic ok to use? What else do I need to keep an eye on, grease, oil, etc?

 

[A_Pmech]

Nice machine! Production tables are far nicer than the typical column mounted tables. If you should happen across a T-slotted sub plate to fit that machine you should consider buying it.

Over-greasing is a prime cause of electric motor failure. If the bearings sound dry you might shoot a few pumps in each one until they quiet down. Otherwise, leave them be and resist the temptation to shoot grease in them every time you have the grease gun in your hands.

Beyond that, the variable drive mechanisms are prone to wear. The nylon bushing in the variable drive pulley wears though and then either the sheave hub, the sheave or both pieces begin to fret.

Repairing them before the bushing wears though and drops the key is inexpensive, so it's a good idea to disassemble and inspect the variable drive pulley on a newly acquired machine. Once the key drops out of the hub and begins to fret, the repairs required start getting more expensive. Here's how I repair Clausing vari-drives when they get to that point:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1916657&postcount=60

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2465506&postcount=20

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2467806&postcount=22

 

[RAYJAY]

manual for this drill press

http://www.speedfreaksgarage.com/jeff/drill press/15in Vari Speed.pdf

 

[Stefan S]

All great links! It's clear you both know these machines well! Are there any threads discussing disassembly of the variable speed drive mechanisms? Anything to know before accessing and disassembly?

Many thanks again!

 

[sped3540]

Nice looking machine! If there is nothing about intervals on greasing the motor in the manual. Check with the motor manufacturer if their still in business. The old technician at work would only grease a motor once a year with only one pump of grease. He was a missile tech in the military.

 

[brianpgriset]

I noticed the motor has zirk fittings... Is mobile 1 synthetic ok to use?

If you do happen do grease the motor bearings you need to be real careful what grease you use. If you mix two different base greases like lithium and urea you will turn the grease to rocks. This really leaves you with three options, in order of what is probably the smartest: 1: do nothing as mentioned; if the bearings aren't making any noise don't fool with it. 2: pull, clean, and repack the bearings with an appropriate electric motor grease. 3: Mobil Polyrex EM actually is one of the very few greases on the market that you can mix with other base greases with little to no impact, so use it.