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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 2, 2019 10:01:17 GMT -5
It's finally time to work on the Frantom. So I have a couple of questions. The vise carriage gears aren't meshing well enough to prevent slippage.
Popped the lid and gear drive cover off last night. Backed the collars off on the feed screw to find a lot of slop in the mounting plate holes. The worm gear appears a bit worn, but functional for now. The gears can be fully engaged by raising the feed screw up in worn (?) hole that lets it pass through the mounting block.
First impulse is to add bushings on the feed screw. Not to take out all freeplay - just enough to remove most of the slop. Good or bad idea?
The leading edges of the drive gear (on the feed screw shaft) teeth are sharp. I should file those before meshing the gears more tighly, right? Or would flipping that gear around be an option?
This is the only saw like this I've ever seen, so I wonder how much freeplay was built into the holes for the feed screw shaft when it was new. Also still wondering if there is any adjustment built into the mounting plate positioning on the front and back. Haven't loosened them to check it out yet.
I'm going to measure and photograph the gears so I can look into getting replacements, but for now would like to keep it going while I check into getting parts.
Any advice, help, or horror stories from others who've done this would be appreciated... .
Thanks.
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Post by tandl on Nov 2, 2019 14:30:37 GMT -5
Im pretty sure you can still buy bushings , believe they go in the block on the inside of the tank
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 2, 2019 14:54:07 GMT -5
Thanks. Checked it out in better light today - looks like a bushing in there now that's probably used up.
Got a better look at the gears, too. Thicker hub on the side closer to the tank. Could see the cut on the teeth better, too.
I think new bushings will get it going again.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 2, 2019 21:46:57 GMT -5
Okay - now the shopping list is longer.
The feed screw shaft has a groove in it where it goes through the mounting block and back wall. I tried a setting it in a couple of different positions front-to-back, but nothing worked. Gears still not engaging.
Guess I'll just rebuild the whole assembly. Oh, well... .
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Nov 2, 2019 22:45:18 GMT -5
I got new bushings for my same as yours saw from local farm/home store hardware dept.
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 3, 2019 0:16:29 GMT -5
Cigarbox rocks can get you everything you need. If you replace the ring and worm gears they will probably want your originals to make sure the replacement set is correct. HP China might have it for less money, but you will be doing some fabrication to make theirs fit right.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 3, 2019 9:41:23 GMT -5
Very good point, Rockoonz. I was already thinking that if I ordered everything from direct from HP all their parts would fit with each other. That doesn't mean it would all fit with the mounting points, etc, on the remaining original saw parts.
We've dealt with Tim at Cigar Box Rock for nearly ten years now, and there's nobody I'd trust more. Tony ( catmandewe ) is right up there with Tim, but I don't think Tony has quite as many machinist's working for him - yet.
Thanks for reminding me that aggravation and extra work carry a high price.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Nov 3, 2019 23:25:55 GMT -5
If you have an industrial supply store in the area see if they handle Boston Gear products, or maybe a different manufacturer. My experience with buying vs. having gears cut, buying is much cheaper. A good store counterman would help identify exactly what you need from your original parts.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Nov 4, 2019 21:27:05 GMT -5
We do have a small - but good - shop in our area. Will drop in there next chance I get.
For now the saw is running again. I bought some brass sheet stock and cut a saddle-type shim for the drive end of the feed screw. Really wanted to get the last two slabs off a chunk of palm wood while it was still squared up. Mission accomplished on that count.
Now know a heckuva lot more about this saw than I did last week... .
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