Bridgeport Series 1 BOSS 5 (1979) - Maintenance Help

[bbuonomo]

ok, now that i have my low way oil issue fixed :-)

The spindle head has been running rough for quite some time.

1. Is there a way to rebuild the gears / drive inside?

2. Is there some type of standard maintenance I should be doing on the spindle drive?

3. What is the correct way to re-calibrate the spindle speed dial?

We tried "adjusting" the spindle speed dial once, but it doesn't seem to stay in sync with the rpms of the spindle. Right now we have 2 speeds set by ear. Slow (low rumble) and Fast (loud rumble). I'd like to be able to have a little better control, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Brian

[machintek]

The rumble is typically the bushings in the vari-drive discs worn out. It must be repaired or else they will destroy the shafts (which means more money)
The bushings are available (cheap) and are glued in. The trick is to epoxy them in in such a way that the discs run true in 3 dimensions or you will have vibrations and premature future failures of these bushings.
I adjust the speed change plate so that I get full travel. Typically this means adjusting it such that at the lowest speed the belt is just starting to go past the edge of the vari disc. The speed dial is adjusted to show the lowest speed. This dial is only an approximation.

George