Hardinge BB4

[matthewsx]

After being a hobby machinist for a few years I finally acquired what I think is my first precision machine tool.I have a few ideas for what I'll be making but am definitely open to ideas.

But first, pictures....

From the sellers Craigslist ad:
















John

 

[matthewsx]

So, my first question is what oil should I use in the headstock.? Usually I put the same ISO 68 tractor oil in everything but if there's something special I should do for these bearings I'm all ears. I think this is the same headstock the lathes use so guidance from lathe owners is appreciated.

John

 

[woodchucker]

So, my first question is what oil should I use in the headstock.? Usually I put the same ISO 68 tractor oil in everything but if there's something special I should do for these bearings I'm all ears. I think this is the same headstock the lathes use so guidance from lathe owners is appreciated.

John

Yes. But I don't know what it is.
You should be able to lookup what it calls for.

Have you visited vintage machinery .org and see if you can find the manuals?

 

[matthewsx]

Yes. But I don't know what it is.
You should be able to lookup what it calls for.

Have you visited vintage machinery .org and see if you can find the manuals?

Was just over at VM now.

John

 

[matthewsx]

The "bulletin" says bearings are grease packed and lubricated for life but there are a pair of oil cups on the side, maybe they're not for spindle bearings but something else?



John

 

[Nutfarmer]

The Hardinge lathe I have the head stock bearings are sealed bearings. Don't know on the mill. Notice the spindle has the Hardinge 4 degree chuck mount ,so you could put a chuck on the mill if there was ever a reason to.

 

[matthewsx]

I did get a chuck of sorts with it, has a plate with an end mill mounted but a small chuck could be attached I think.

john

 

[Braeden P]

Take good care of the spindle! use your best indicator and check the run-out it should be about a tenth or less. Its interesting to see that the drive train is the same as the TR-59s.

 

[rb67mustang]

That's a cute little machine. It almost looks like a Boring Mill. I wonder what the attachment is for that's sitting on the table? It looks like it has a V Groove like a V Block. You will have to search for the History of this machine to see what it was specifically made to do. It looks like it's sized for the small Harbor Freight Hobby metal turning lathe I inherited from my Dad.

The parts I just made are replacement motor lock handles for my Bridgeport phase conversion/restoration project.

 

[rb67mustang]

Here's a great article I just found about the Hardinge BB4. http://www.lathes.co.uk/cataract miller/page3.html