- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Messages
- 960
Hi all -
I recently picked up a Troyke 9" (U-9) horizontal/vertical rotab at a local auction. Seems to be in decent shape and functions properly as far as I can tell. Very happy thinking about all the neat stuff I'll be able to do once I get it set up with mounting keys, possibly a chuck etc. Some of the other rotab threads here are very good and gave me lots of ideas. Anyway, as with most things I buy at auction, it wasn't as clean and oiled as I prefer. So I disassembled and am in process thoroughly cleaning everything. I noticed a couple spring loaded oil cups one at the base and one near the crank handle and assumed that meant the unit is supposed to be filled with oil/lubricant for use. Upon dis-assembly however, the inside was bone dry except for some grease on the worm/worm gear. When I go to reassemble, should I fill it with oil, gear lube or just re-grease as I found it? There are no o-rings or other sealing devices on the shafts or table to base interface that would keep the oil in. Are the clearances tight enough that any leakage is incidental. Seems like in the vertical position the oil will leak out especially from the oil cup. Also there is some backlash in the crank handle vs table motion but it probably only needs a little adjustment. After studying all the parts I can see the worm shaft is on an eccentric with lock bolts. I presume that is to take up backlash? Or is that only to engage/dis-engage the table for free rotation? Both?
At this point my thinking is probably go with grease. The movement (at least what I envision) will be low speed discreet indexing to position vs machining arcs under load.
I know many of you here have probably been thru the same b-movie so I'll welcome any thoughts or advice regarding lubrication, proper setup and operation.
Ollie
I recently picked up a Troyke 9" (U-9) horizontal/vertical rotab at a local auction. Seems to be in decent shape and functions properly as far as I can tell. Very happy thinking about all the neat stuff I'll be able to do once I get it set up with mounting keys, possibly a chuck etc. Some of the other rotab threads here are very good and gave me lots of ideas. Anyway, as with most things I buy at auction, it wasn't as clean and oiled as I prefer. So I disassembled and am in process thoroughly cleaning everything. I noticed a couple spring loaded oil cups one at the base and one near the crank handle and assumed that meant the unit is supposed to be filled with oil/lubricant for use. Upon dis-assembly however, the inside was bone dry except for some grease on the worm/worm gear. When I go to reassemble, should I fill it with oil, gear lube or just re-grease as I found it? There are no o-rings or other sealing devices on the shafts or table to base interface that would keep the oil in. Are the clearances tight enough that any leakage is incidental. Seems like in the vertical position the oil will leak out especially from the oil cup. Also there is some backlash in the crank handle vs table motion but it probably only needs a little adjustment. After studying all the parts I can see the worm shaft is on an eccentric with lock bolts. I presume that is to take up backlash? Or is that only to engage/dis-engage the table for free rotation? Both?
At this point my thinking is probably go with grease. The movement (at least what I envision) will be low speed discreet indexing to position vs machining arcs under load.
I know many of you here have probably been thru the same b-movie so I'll welcome any thoughts or advice regarding lubrication, proper setup and operation.
Ollie