Hardinge Bb4 Restoration

[USNFC]

Hey everyone. I picked up this cool little mill and wanted to document the dis-assembly, restoration, and reassembly for anyone interested. Once I finish this guy up, I have a Standard Modern 1340 lathe that I will be starting on. Anyway, lets get this started. First I will show a few pictures of the mill as I received it.

 

[USNFC]

First thing to do after I unloaded it and got it into the garage, was to straighten up that front door because it bugged my OCD! Sorry for the blurry pic...I didn't realize it when I took it....now that is bugging my OCD....I can't win. I will get a new clear pic up today after I get home from work...

 

[USNFC]

Next the dis-assembly begins! First, remove the table.


I then removed the crank housing for the knee crank, and removed the saddle.

 

[USNFC]

Table and Saddle in the cleaning bin.

 

[USNFC]

All the little pieces in another cleaning bin.

 

[USNFC]

Then I cut the belts...they were no where near usable, and this seemed like the easiest solution to remove the head. The head came off pretty easily. Then I was able to remove the knee. Here is all of the stuff ready for cleaning.

 

[USNFC]

I then removed the handles from the body, and removed the body from the cabinet.

 

[USNFC]

Here is the nasty under the base!



Some poor fella lost his favorite allen wrench underneath the base.

 

[USNFC]

And here is where we have the cabinet. I did clean up the swarf and grease before I packed it up for the night...

 

[Bill Gruby]

You have a nice piece of equipment there. I have a friend who just restored one. He won't part with his. Good luck on the restoration.

"Billy G"