Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Care and feeding of bushings
Jeremy Osner
>Last night while turning I noticed my lathe was making some noise spinning -- I oiled the head joint and it went away. Is there anything I should do to be taking care of the joint besides oiling it when it makes noise? The lathe has brass bushings if that makes any diff. Also, does it making noise mean I should have oiled it before it started making noise? What is a good schedule for lubricating? I am using 3-in-1 oil, is that the best thing to use?
Re: Care and feeding of bushings
Russ Fairfield
>A lathe with a brass bearing must be a Record? Actually the bearing would be a porous (to hold the oil) bronze, and not a brass.
There should be either an oil cup or a small hole above the bearing for lubrication. These bearings should be lubricated every time the machine is turned on. A couple drops of 3-in-1 will do it. A better oil would be something that is thicker because it stays in the bearing longer. Compressor oil works well, as would a chainsaw bar oil.
Squeeking means that the bearing ran out of oil. Damage depends on how long it was run without oil. Lubricate it, and run it. If it is a Record lathe, the bearing is split and the clearance can be tightened up with the ring that is threaded onto the bearing itself at the front of the headstock. If it cannot be adjusted, then be prepared to replace the bearing if it was run too long without lubrication.
Re: Care and feeding of bushings
Jeremy Osner
>Thanks -- it is a Montgomery, not a Record. The holes for oil are at the top of the joint as you say. I'll be sure to add oil every time I run it from now on.
Re: Care and feeding of bushings *LINKS*
Jeremy Osner
>Oops -- thanks William, I will get some light machine oil.