VF2 Drawbar

[wms]

When pressing tool release the drawbar cylinder is moving slightly

It is not uncommon for these to get "sticky" if you are not using an air dryer...

A lot of times you can fill the air line full, (well not full, but a good shot for sure)..of either WD40 or marvel mystery oil..or some type of air tool oil..and cycle the tool release a ton of times and free the piston up...

Really I have seen this more time than I can count...

[Geof]

Add methanol to wms' list of things to squirt into the air line. I have found if the problem is coolant mist that has been sucked up by a compressor methanol is the best for dissolving it.

Here is another trick to try before taking the cylinder apart; get a hot air gun and warm everything up to see if it will start moving. Once you have things moving and air flowing through then you use the stuff to try and wash/lubricate.

[rlabonte18]

Sounds like maybe your valve is not working there is a precharge valve that brings the cylinder to the drawbar just before the main valve opens up to prevent that popping sound. there is a small regulator mounted behind the spindle. This valve controls the precharge pressure. to check your cylinder you can hold the tool release and have someone turn up this regualtor it will develop enough pressure to push the cylinder fully. This will tell you if it is the cylinder or the valve. Also check the plug from the main valve to the harness these have been known to fall out.

[josephcperry]

just a thought, had a situation that was similar, the coolant actually acted like glue when it was dried up and stuck the tool in the taper. tapping on it "softly" with a metal object was enough to free it up. you mentioned that it has been down for some time, quick and cheap check. draw bar would move slightly to take up slop as u mentioned.

[rrbmachining]

I increased the air pressure today to 120psi and kept operating the tool release button. After about half an hour the drawbar piston suddenly freed up and started working. Its still sticking some of the time now I have backed the pressure off again, im hoping that with some use it will be ok every time. I was going to put a little oil in the air line but have not yet for fear of causing other damage.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by rrbmachining .... I was going to put a little oil in the air line but have not yet for fear of causing other damage.

About four years ago the solenoid valve on my SuperMiniMill stuck occasionally and I only got it working smoothly by putting methanol down the air line; which is why I think it was coolant mist sucked up by the compressor. After a few squirts of methanol I squirted in some air tool oil that I had and it has worked perfectly since then. I don't think you are going to cause problems with air tool oil.

[rrbmachining]

I will see what it is like when I get to the shop on Monday but I think i will take the advice and try a little methanol followed by a litle oil