I recently upgraded my R2E3 with a new Anilam controller and a Maxi-Torque rite power drawbar. The problem is excessive noise, a kind of clattering coming from the top part of the drawbar at high speed(4000 rpm).
I removed the drawbar and made a new bushing to center the bar at the top of the spindle and added an "O" ring around the top part of the drawbar to help center the top and cushion against clattering inside the quill sleeve. This helped some, but I still get a clattering noise. It is worse at Z.0, once the spindle drops approx. 3/4", it gets less noisy. Any thoughts or suggestions??

Most power draw bars use a air impact wrench which has to squat down onto the draw bar when actuated. There is no contact until you want to change a tool. Is that the way yours is set up?

George

The power assembly drops aprox. 5/8" upon engagement, so the noise is not coming from being engaged in the socket. I noticed the top part of the drawbar is very heavy, and would think that being the slightest bit off center, it would get would get worse at higher speed from centrifugal force.
Do you think it would help to under cut the top part of the drawbar to reduce weight?

What air pressure is your draw bar set to? Typically they were set to about 70 PSI. I wonder if too much pressure can pull the spindle to one side.

George

Are you sure it's the drawbar? Could be the pullys... I'm having the same issue on a series 2 Bridgeport. The variable speed pullies have a plastic liner that wears out. Just a possibility.

It doesn't make that noise without the drawbar.The head has been rebuilt with all new bearings and the wear on the splines are minimal. I checked the air pressure and it is about 68 lbs. Next I going to remove the draw bar and check it for straightness, and if that checks out I thinking about removing some weight from the top.

Can you remove the draw bar cover and see how much clearance there is between the socket wrench and the draw bar, then turn the spindle on to observe what is happening. The leading edge of the hex on the draw bar needs to be burr free without a lot of wear both on the draw bar and the socket itself. Draw bar needs to be spinning on center with little run out and the ratchet must move down on center with the drawbar. If these two parts do not disengage properly the noise will develope. My Bridgeport is not noisey at z=0 , but it is noisey at x=-1.

I have rebuilt many different variable speed heads and they all have the same requirement especially older 2J and 4J style. New bushings for the pulleys and most of all new belts!

Check straightness and run out. Make sure lube is getting to the bearings etc!

Good luck.