Excello / Pope grinder spindle - Correct way to lubricate?

Those spindles were designed and marketed for sending back to the manufacturer or a specialist spindle rebuild company when they need rebuilding. They are not intended for owner repair.

All that said, you now have a grinder that has outlived it's support system, you think there might be issues with the spindle, and sending it to a specialty rebuilder can cost more, sometimes WAY more, than a good used surface grinder costs, if you can find anyone interested in taking the job on.

I don't know the answer to your questions. I do not like the oiling method for lubricating the spindle, it is just asking for grit in the bearings, may well already be damaged or ruined. I still do not know how the proper spindle oil level is maintained, or how any overflow is intended to be drained away other than possibly into the motor, by what you have discovered so far. That is not an acceptable oil overflow method, if it is indeed what is intended. You also do not know what oil was intended to be used in the spindle. The spindle is not original to the machine, so there is not mfg. support for it through B&S, Excello, or Pope.

I cannot imagine it was designed to be put together permanently, never to be disassembled again. The rebuild label from a famed rebuilder shouts otherwise. First, cause no harm. Look it over and find a way to take it apart _very carefully_. Note carefully the orientations of each inner and outer bearing race mountings, to the spindle and to the housing, also front and back faces as you remove them, and mark them carefully. Mark front and back bearings if they are not different. Clean everything spotlessly. Truly spotlessly. Then inspect the bearing balls and/or rollers for damage and for wear from the bearing races spinning in the spindle or housing. If the bearings show damage, see about replacing them and whatever seals are present. Be prepared for sticker shock for the bearings. If there are other wear items, see about replacing them. Make a decision on how to proceed from there...

That is how I would approach it, YMMV...
BTW, Bob, the grinder that I was talking about (above) was not the one that you now have, it was the first one that I had, many moons ago, it had a B&S ball bearing spindle with the oiler mounted on top, and the one in this discussion has; it was "a veteran of many campaigns".
 
BTW, "a veteran of many campaigns".

Oh boy, you bet! This thing has been through a few wars! But, the ways are in fair shape, the screws/nuts aren't worn to a point and I think it will do the work I want it to do in my hobby shop. I only paid $200 for it and it cost me only my gas money to get it home so I can't complain... I enjoy working on these older pieces and getting them serviceable (at least for my use). I really don't have much work for it, but I've got a few things laying around to touch up and I think it will come in handy for the amount of money I've got tied up into it. Hey, I'm retired and I have fun with this stuff! :)

Thanks again for the help guys,
Ted
 
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