Hello to the collective mind.
Let me start by saying, I do not even consider myself a hobby machinist yet as I have never actually run a machine tool in my life. This is as a context for my lack of knowledge.
Now on to the matter at hand. I purchased a Lantaine Lam-350B back in May 2022. First machine tool, Yay! It was in an airplane hanger and the previous had passed away 4 or 5 years prior. Based on the amount of dried oil and stickiness on everything I assume it sat longer than that. I am trying to get my workspace set up and get the machine planted. In the interim I am taking that machine slowly apart to clean and repair if needed. So far I have found only very minor problems. I removed the apron about a week ago, and this is the source of the conundrum. There is no sight glass and no oil drain but there is very clearly and fill port. That port is actually on the saddle above the apron and there is a passage system with felt wick rope leading to a series of holes that look like drip oilers for various locations in the saddle. I am assuming, always a dangerous endeavor, that is is essentially a waste system where the oils drips and is not recirculated. Why would there be no way to drain the oil if this is the case. What goes in, must come out somehow. The accumulation of old oil in the bottom of the apron seems counterintuitive to me. There is currently some very dark sludgy oil in the very bottom that I will dispatch once I disassemble it. Should I modify the apron with some type of drain hole? Would it benefit the machine in anyway? Is this how the machine was originally designed? I am fine with modifying the machine with the goal of making it better.
Impart your collective knowledge on me please.
Thanks, Mike
I am attaching a couple pictures of the oil gallery/ passage that contains the wicking material.
Let me start by saying, I do not even consider myself a hobby machinist yet as I have never actually run a machine tool in my life. This is as a context for my lack of knowledge.
Now on to the matter at hand. I purchased a Lantaine Lam-350B back in May 2022. First machine tool, Yay! It was in an airplane hanger and the previous had passed away 4 or 5 years prior. Based on the amount of dried oil and stickiness on everything I assume it sat longer than that. I am trying to get my workspace set up and get the machine planted. In the interim I am taking that machine slowly apart to clean and repair if needed. So far I have found only very minor problems. I removed the apron about a week ago, and this is the source of the conundrum. There is no sight glass and no oil drain but there is very clearly and fill port. That port is actually on the saddle above the apron and there is a passage system with felt wick rope leading to a series of holes that look like drip oilers for various locations in the saddle. I am assuming, always a dangerous endeavor, that is is essentially a waste system where the oils drips and is not recirculated. Why would there be no way to drain the oil if this is the case. What goes in, must come out somehow. The accumulation of old oil in the bottom of the apron seems counterintuitive to me. There is currently some very dark sludgy oil in the very bottom that I will dispatch once I disassemble it. Should I modify the apron with some type of drain hole? Would it benefit the machine in anyway? Is this how the machine was originally designed? I am fine with modifying the machine with the goal of making it better.
Impart your collective knowledge on me please.
Thanks, Mike
I am attaching a couple pictures of the oil gallery/ passage that contains the wicking material.