Spindle Cleaning

[lmg]

Searched around, found some useful info, I just need more info. Took a look up in the spindle today, and was less than impressed by what I saw. It has a few spots of surface rust, and some well flattened chips. I need a bit more cleaning power than a scotchbrite on this one. How do you usually clean these up? I am very scared of doing more bad than good...

[Neal]

Running the spindle at VERY slow RPMs, try using a bottle brush with a good degreaser on it. When you finish dry it well and apply a light coating of a llight wieght oil to resist rusting. Maybe WD-40 would work as both agents.

Neal

[lmg]

I ran it at a low speed(I think 40 rpm was as low as it goes), with a clean rag and some wd-40. It cleaned up a little but looks like it might need some more. I am thinkng of having the splindle cleaned up/ground on site by a pro. Do you know of anyone here in So-Cal(San Diego) than might help?

[Neal]

BE "VERY" CAREFUL!!!! Grinding on the spindle can cause you BIG issues. If too much is ground off then the tool sits too high in the spindle and you loose the gap between the drawbar piston rod and the drawbar.
The other major issue is IF the new grind is not EXCATLY correct you now have tools orbiting.

The ony recovery for a bad grind job is spindle replacement.

Neal

[lmg]

yeah, I definately want some that knows what they are doing. It is much better after cleaning, I just want it perfect

[alex gitzel]

I replaced i spindle about a year ago that was ground by a "pro" and had too much taken out and had no clearance for the atc just like neal posted.I have taken croucs cloth and light oil or wd-40 and run the spindle at low rpm and cleaned out spindles by hand.for worse ones you may need very fine emry cloth but dont put too much pressure on it or it may cut too deeply,you should hone out any high spots first,little hone spots should not effect the taper as long most of it is there.the idea is just to smooth the surface out while taking as little material out as possible.if the spindle is running true leave it be.if it is running out test it with several tools to make sure,also put in a long tool in an the indicator on the spindle nose o.d. lock spindle with m19 command in mdi and push/pull to check the spindle bearings there should not be any slop.

[lmg]

I guess I'll just live with it. I am too worried that I will hurt it more than do any good...

[kling8]

I ran a mill that was giving us about .004 runout, and what we did is get a pro out to grind it, and that worked great for us, but like it was said if they screw up the only fix is to replace spindle. I only had to deal with that issue once, and it worked, but if it isn't nessessary I would leave well enough alone.

[lmg]

does anyone know someone in Southern California that grinds these in the machine?