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Copyright © 2021 Quality Machine Tools, LLC
PM-1340GT v8 2021-04
Section 4 SERVICING THE LATHE
Disconnect 220-240Vac power before any maintenance operation!
Remove all machining debris and foreign objects before lubricating ANYTHING! If need
be, any oil is better than no oil – but use the recommended lubricants when you can.
GENERAL
Aside from abrasive particles and machining debris,
lack of proper lubrication is the main cause of premature
wear. Rotating parts are easy to lubricate, sliding parts
are not. Gibs are tightened for the best compromise be-
tween rigidity and slideability, which means practically
zero gap between the ways. It is not obvious which are
the bearing surfaces on the various dovetail surfaces —
some of the interfaces look like bearing surfaces, but are
simply narrow gaps.
Every few hours of operation: 1. Apply the recommend-
ed way-oil with a dedicated short-bristle brush such as
the type used for applying flux; 2. Use a similar brush to
apply oil or grease to the leadscrews; 3. Apply oil to the
ball oilers, see below.
HEADSTOCK GEARBOX DRAIN & REFILL
XX quarts
is a lot of oil! Take time to prepare.
1.
Remove the cover, left of the headstock.
2.
Remove the fill plug on the top surface of the head
-
stock.
3.
Place a drain pan (2-gallons minimum) on a stool or
other support at about the height of the chip tray.
4.
Fold a sheet of card stock to make a Vee-shape drain
channel. This will be pressed against the headstock
below the drain plug, angled downward into the drain
pan; trim the upstream end of the Vee so that it seals
against the headstock.
5. Run the lathe a few minutes to warm the oil if nec-
essary.
6. With the drain channel in place, remove the drain
plug, Figure 4-1.
7.
Allow the oil to drain completely. Replace the drain
plug, then add just a few ounces of oil.
8.
When satisfied that the headstock is oil-tight, add oil
to the halfway mark on the sight glass, Figure 4-2.
Replace the fill plug.
The spindle runs on sealed, pre-lubricated roller
bearings requiring no routine attention.
Recommended lubricants
Gearboxes:
Mobil DTE, or equivalent, Heavy/Medi-
um circulating oil. Approximate quantity required:
Headstock
3-1/2 quarts
Carriage feed gearbox
As needed (oil drips
down from the gallery, Figure 4-3)
Apron
1/2 quart
Ball oilers/machine ways/leadscrews
: ISO 68 oil,
such as Mobil Vactra No. 2, or equivalent.
External change gears
: light general purpose
grease, NLGI No. 2, or equivalent
Figure 4-1
Headstock drain plug
External change gears removed
