[snakebit95]

Hey Guys,
I am getting further into my Boss retrofit, and noticed my Z-Axis pulley looked much different than the X & Y axes. I think this is a hack-job by the previous owner. The teeth actually look like they were machined, instead of cast like the others. Take a look at the photos and see if they look anything like your Z-Axis pulley. If yours is different than the photos, perhaps you could share a photo of yours??

Forgot to mention......the entire pulley is aluminum with the exception of the thin steel ring that is screwed in-place.

Thanks in advance,
Wayne

[Hood]

Wayne
The teeth on yours look like they are very very worn, apart from that it looks to be the right pulley. If I remember I will take a pic of mine today and post tonight.

Hood

[snakebit95]

Hey Hood,
So you actually think this could be wear? Wow!! If it had been modified / machined, I was wondering how the last hacker machined into the corners of the teeth. Wear certainly expains it much better; but I would have never imagined it wearing that much. What does the small bolt-on stem do on the bottom? I would have thought it provided additional support, but my machine did not have any type of bearing for it to ride-in. It just protruded through the cover housing hole, and seems it was just along for the ride.

On a side note, I searched pretty hard for a replacement yesterday. I called Hardinge/Bridgeport and all the pulley manufacturers I could find (Martin, Browning, Polytech, CMT, e.t.c.). None of them offered an H-type 13-tooth pulley. However, I found (3) different places that offered H-type 13-tooth timing gear stock. I am guessing I will probably end-up machining my own pulley from some stock. Perhaps I will make this pulley from steel this time. What do you think?? Steel or aluminum?? (since I found both).

Thanks again!!

[machintek]

That bolt on stem took a small position dial, like a miniature version of what is on the end of a S1STD mill. The belt cover had a pointer rivited to it.

George

[snakebit95]

That is great to know about the dial. I can't think of a reason why I might need it. If my machine had a digital readout, what was it's use back in the time?

[Hood]

I suppose it was used as a counter, sort of like the counters on X and Y axis.
I forgot to take my cam today but I would say that it is most definitely wear, why so much I dont know but the teeth should be the full width all the way down. I have a pic taken a while back, its not very clear as I had to zoom in, but you can just make out what the teeth are like
I would probably go for the Alu, just because thats what Bridgeport used, but the steel would probably be easier to obtain a finish on.

Hood

[snakebit95]

That picture is good enough for me to know it is time for a new gear - LOL. I am probably going to make it from steel, to keep from making it again some day. Thanks again for the photo!!

On a side note, I finished the X & Y axis adapters and mounted the servos this morning. Now I need to get busy on the Z motor mount.

[Hood]

Did you make up extensions for the motors?


Hood

[snakebit95]

Did you make up extensions for the motors?


Hood

YES, it worked like a charm. I bored the stock pulley's out to 1", and made some 1" O.D. X 1/2" I.D. steel adapter sleeves. I used a couple 1/4" set-screws to attach the sleeve to the motor-shaft, and one 3/8" set screw to attach the pulley to the sleeve. I oriented the set-screws by 180° to offset the small amount of slip-fit clearance. When I was finished, each of the pulley's turn true within .001"-.0015" total. Pretty good, considering what they measured stock. When I indicated the teeth to the stock 5/8" bore during the boring operation, there was .005"-.008" runout; which had to be the way Bridgeport made them in production. Thanks again for the recommendation!!

[Hood]

No problem, was just the easiest way I could see to do it and it works fine for me.
Hope you get the Z pulley sorted soon, was just thinking though if you have not made up the extension for your Z you could maybe buy stock long enough to have the extension as part of the pulley itself, would save a lot of hassle.
Hood

[snakebit95]

I was already thinking about that!! I will machine a 1-piece pulley that fits my 1/2" motor shaft.

I finished assembling the head today, and have a problem with the variable speed adjustment. When I apply air to the cylinder, the air cylinder runs, and the worm-gear turns; but the shaft/dial/chain does not turn. Do you know if there is suppose to be a drive-pin on the dial-shaft? Something has to be there to drive the dial, and I could not find it. It was getting hot outside this morning, so I stopped at that point. I will look closer tomorrow morning. I bet something is sheared-off. Wish I had a shop with A/C in it.

[Hood]

Wayne, have attached a pic out of my manual Bridgeport book. I think the setup is exactly the same on the CNC Bridgeports except for the handwheel. Hope it helps.
Hood

[snakebit95]

Wow......now that is helpful!! Looks like I may be missing item #8; which I believe must be a key that allows item #33 to drive item #35. I will take it apart this evening when it cools off. I made the Z-Axis mount this morning, so I am making some slow progress.

On a side note, would it be too much to ask for a scan of the head-assembly diagram? I have (1) extra snap-ring and (2) wavy washers left-over from the assembly, and it would be nice to know where they go - LOL. When I put it back together, everything seemed to go in to place, but was left with a couple extra parts when finished. No hurry..........just when you get time.

Thanks again,
Wayne

[Hood]

Wayne you can download the whole manual from my site, you will find it here
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...ges/index.html
If you have a slow connection and would rather just have the single page give me a shout and I will send it.
I just looked at the manual and it says 8 is a bearing, think it must be a typo as its definitely a funny shaped bearing
I am not sure if its a key or a pin though if you look at your gear shaft you will soon know whether there is a keyway
Hood

[snakebit95]

Hood.......That was a BIG HELP!! Thanks again!! I have a few manuals that came with my machine, but they were full of general information such as hooking-up power, general operation, performance specs and then one manual full of wiring schematics / control drawings.

BTW.......did you get the lathe moved yet? That is a HUGE piece of iron to move. Hope you have a good size shop!!

[Hood]

Wayne
no not got the lathe yet, dont have room,I am going to have to rent another unit next to my workshop. I need more space anyway and the lathe has just made me bite the bullet and go for it.
Hood

[snakebit95]

Well, I figured-out the problem with the variable speed mechanism. It was indeed the item I selected from your exploded drawing. The item turned-out to be a spring-pin that pinned the gear to the chain spool. The stock pin was sheared-off clean, which explains why I missed it when I reassembled it. If there had been a key, I would have probably noticed it missing. Anyways, I replaced it with a heavy-duty roll-pin; which has at least 2X the shear strength as the spring pin that was in it. It all works correctly now. I also installed the wavy washers per the manual you had posted on your webpage. I guess they are there to keep the top bearing from rubbing the top bearing plate. I still have a snap-ring that I can not determine where it goes. It is larger than both the spindle shaft and the motor shaft.......so who knows?? Maybe it came out of the control cabinets that I disposed of.......

Thanks again,
Wayne

[Hood]

Glad it helped.

Hood