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Section 4 MAINTENANCE
Disconnect 220V power before any
maintenance operation!
Remove all machining debris and foreign ob-
jects before lubricating ANYTHING! If need be,
any oil is better than no oil – but use the recom-
mended lubricants when you can.
RECOMMENDED LUBRICANTS
Gearbox ISO 68, such as SAE 80W90 auto gear oil,
or (recommended) Mobil DTE Heavy-Medium circulat-
ing oil (about 3 qts)
Ball oilers (X and Y leadscrews): ISO 68 oil, such as
Mobil Vactra No. 2, or equivalent
X, Y and Z axis ways (dovetails): ISO 68 oil, Mobil
Vactra No. 2, or equivalent
Visible gears such as quill rack and pinion, Z-axis
bevel gears: light general purpose grease, NLGI No. 2,
or equivalent
X and Y leadscrews: ISO 68 oil, Vactra No. 2 or or
equivalent
Z leadscrew: ISO 68 oil or NLGI No. 2 grease
GENERAL OILING
Assuming a clean environment – no abrasive particles
or machining debris – lack of proper lubrication is the
main cause of premature wear. Rotating parts are easy
GEARBOX DRAIN & REFILL
.
Run the mill a few minutes to warm the oil if neces-
sary.
2.
Place a -gallon or larger drain pan under the
headstock.
3.
Remove the drain plug, Figure 4-.
4.
Allow the oil to drain completely, then replace the
drain plug.
5.
Remove the fill plug on the headstock top cover,
then add just a few ounces of oil.
6.
When satisfied that the headstock is oil-tight, add
oil to the halfway mark on the sight glass (about 3
qts total).
7.
Replace the fill plug.
PM-940M 0-206 v.indd
to lubricate, sliding parts are not. Gibs are tightened for
the best compromise between rigidity and slideability.
Take time to understand exactly which are the bearing
surfaces on the various dovetail surfaces; this is not ob-
vious – some of the interfaces look like bearing surfaces,
but are simply narrow gaps.
Every few hours of operation: . Apply the recommend-
ed way-oil with a dedicated short-bristle brush such as
the type used for applying flux; 2. Use a similar brush to
apply oil or grease to the leadscrews; 3. Apply oil to the
ball oilers, see below.
Ball oilers
Use a pump-type oil can with tip large enough to more
than span the oiler's spring-loaded steel ball. Oil pres-
sure will displace the ball, allowing oil to flow, provided
the oil can tip is firmly pressed onto the brass seating.
Before oiling check that the ball is not stuck – press it
lightly with a probe.
Quill rack and pinion
Lower and lock the quill. Using a stiff flux brush, clean
the visible portions of the rack and pinion. Raise and
lower the quill to expose the remainder of the working
surfaces, locking and cleaning at each setting.
Spindle bearings
The spindle runs on tapered roller bearings requiring oc-
casional attention. See the last page of this section.
Figure 4- Headstock drain plug
22
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