when I took my MG surface grinder apart the ways still had all the scraping and flaking on them, it looks like your machine has more wear than mine did for sure. Once you make some test grinds with it to see if it still grinds flat. I cut 5 blocks and put in corners of the mag. chuck and one in the middle and ground them they were all within 2 tenths.
That's excellent results. I am thinking I should grind the table, put the mag chuck on, then grind the chuck. Then do the 5 block test? I'm not 100% sure yet.
@@MyLilMule I did not grind the table because it looked in good condition, just did the bottom and top of the Mag. chuck. Also when you grind the top of the chuck make sure to turn it on so it will be the same as when your grinding parts on it.
With enough effort your grinder could be reconditioned. The question is what are you going to use the machine for? If you are precision flattening large plates you may have a problem. If you are doing smaller work, it will likely be fine. Another issue is how often. you will use it. You may want re-assemble it and run some test grinding to see if can live with it.
@@MyLilMule Many years ago my boss bought two 6x12 Harrig grinders for cheap at auction. Their ways looked like yours. They ground accurately but there was a lot of drag on the ways making the movements heavy. I substituted a lighter way oil, and added a Teflon additive. It helped some, and we used them for a lot of years. With your light use yours may be fine, unless of course you a looking for a project. I am looking forward to more video on the project.
@@joemcgarry1106 I need another project like I need another hole in my head. 😂 It might turn into a project, but it might be so far gone, that it's not worth all the extra money to make it "perfect" and finding another one might be a more practical option - down the road, that is. I'm going to probably use it as-is for the time being.
Glad you decided to rebuild it. The stops are quite useful for example while dressing your wheels. My surface grinder top moves on ball bearings but I wonder if your wear might be due to the weight of the mag chuck in the middle and going back and forth?! One thing to consider is that if you reach each end of the travel you might get surface unevenness. I noticed that on mine so I marked when to stop. Gilles
@ I wish I was there to help. Mine has ball bearings for ways and they sit on a brass slat. Totally different system. If you could measure how much wear there is it might be easier to decide how to proceed. If it ain’t much scraping might be the best option
On anything in contact with a long top slide, the middle is typically high and the ends are low. This is due to extra wear from when the topside is at the extremes of travel.
Mine is crunchy too. I left the covers with no lube. I use way oil on the slides. I tried a lighter oil and it poured out so I changed to way oil. The front roll pins were tight on mine too. Before worrying about the wear, measure the top of the electric magnet. Mine is super worn but traversing is very flat. So I’m leaving it alone.
That's on my list. After dressing a grinding wheel, I might just kiss the surface of the table and then the bottom and top of the magnet. The intention is to create a 5 cube test and go from there.
Hello Greg, I think that is a wise thing to do... run the surface grinder up and see how accurate it is... I think I will follow that approach on any new machine I get in the future... Enjoyable viewing, thank you. Take care. Paul,,
It could wear more on the outsides, as the table is just sitting in the ways. When the table moves all the way to one side, it droops, because of the weight, putting more pressure on the ends and causing more wear. I’ve seen this before. Additionally, lubrication remains more in the center as the table is always sitting there no matter which side it’s at, whereas the ends tend to lose lubrication as they hang past the ways. The lubrication channels get oil into the area, but it doesn’t do anything to help keep it there. The bottom can be lubed any way you like as oil will find its way down there and if you use coolant, it will get down there as well. ISO 68 way oil is usually used for these. I wouldn’t worry about the wear until after you measure how it runs. If it’s within your needed specs, just leave it. I can tell you that scraping V ways is a real ball buster. Everything needs to be perfect.
I'm still trying to figure out just how to measure how much wear is in it with what tools I have. I might have to make something in order to do it the "right" way.
I am loving your videos, hope we get to see this machine in good shape again, keep it up with the great work
Thank you, I appreciate your support!
making it work with what you got, love it.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
Nice work and good luck mate
I am looking forward to making it work!
when I took my MG surface grinder apart the ways still had all the scraping and flaking on them, it looks like your machine has more wear than mine did for sure. Once you make some test grinds with it to see if it still grinds flat. I cut 5 blocks and put in corners of the mag. chuck and one in the middle and ground them they were all within 2 tenths.
That's excellent results. I am thinking I should grind the table, put the mag chuck on, then grind the chuck. Then do the 5 block test? I'm not 100% sure yet.
@@MyLilMule I did not grind the table because it looked in good condition, just did the bottom and top of the Mag. chuck. Also when you grind the top of the chuck make sure to turn it on so it will be the same as when your grinding parts on it.
@@Randysshop Great tip! Thanks.
With enough effort your grinder could be reconditioned. The question is what are you going to use the machine for? If you are precision flattening large plates you may have a problem. If you are doing smaller work, it will likely be fine. Another issue is how often. you will use it. You may want re-assemble it and run some test grinding to see if can live with it.
Mostly small jobs, nothing too fancy. Maybe grinding in new gibs for the South Bend.
@@MyLilMule Many years ago my boss bought two 6x12 Harrig grinders for cheap at auction. Their ways looked like yours. They ground accurately but there was a lot of drag on the ways making the movements heavy. I substituted a lighter way oil, and added a Teflon additive. It helped some, and we used them for a lot of years. With your light use yours may be fine, unless of course you a looking for a project. I am looking forward to more video on the project.
@@joemcgarry1106 I need another project like I need another hole in my head. 😂 It might turn into a project, but it might be so far gone, that it's not worth all the extra money to make it "perfect" and finding another one might be a more practical option - down the road, that is. I'm going to probably use it as-is for the time being.
@@MyLilMule I would do the same if it were mine.👍
Nice job
Thanks!
Glad you decided to rebuild it. The stops are quite useful for example while dressing your wheels. My surface grinder top moves on ball bearings but I wonder if your wear might be due to the weight of the mag chuck in the middle and going back and forth?! One thing to consider is that if you reach each end of the travel you might get surface unevenness. I noticed that on mine so I marked when to stop. Gilles
It's hard to say for certain, but you're probably more right than wrong.
@ I wish I was there to help. Mine has ball bearings for ways and they sit on a brass slat. Totally different system. If you could measure how much wear there is it might be easier to decide how to proceed. If it ain’t much scraping might be the best option
On anything in contact with a long top slide, the middle is typically high and the ends are low. This is due to extra wear from when the topside is at the extremes of travel.
Very likely, yes, I would agree.
Mine is crunchy too. I left the covers with no lube.
I use way oil on the slides. I tried a lighter oil and it poured out so I changed to way oil.
The front roll pins were tight on mine too.
Before worrying about the wear, measure the top of the electric magnet. Mine is super worn but traversing is very flat. So I’m leaving it alone.
That's on my list. After dressing a grinding wheel, I might just kiss the surface of the table and then the bottom and top of the magnet. The intention is to create a 5 cube test and go from there.
Hello Greg,
I think that is a wise thing to do... run the surface grinder up and see how accurate it is... I think I will follow that approach on any new machine I get in the future... Enjoyable viewing, thank you.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thanks 👍
It could wear more on the outsides, as the table is just sitting in the ways. When the table moves all the way to one side, it droops, because of the weight, putting more pressure on the ends and causing more wear. I’ve seen this before. Additionally, lubrication remains more in the center as the table is always sitting there no matter which side it’s at, whereas the ends tend to lose lubrication as they hang past the ways. The lubrication channels get oil into the area, but it doesn’t do anything to help keep it there. The bottom can be lubed any way you like as oil will find its way down there and if you use coolant, it will get down there as well. ISO 68 way oil is usually used for these. I wouldn’t worry about the wear until after you measure how it runs. If it’s within your needed specs, just leave it. I can tell you that scraping V ways is a real ball buster. Everything needs to be perfect.
You make a good point! I've seen that too with ways that have been used in the past.
Harald Finster just did a video on measuring ways for error using a fine wire and an optical microscope. Might be worth a look.
Thanks! I'll check it out.
Of course it depends on what exacly you want to do with this machine, but I think that for most hobby work it will be just fine as is.
I'm still trying to figure out just how to measure how much wear is in it with what tools I have. I might have to make something in order to do it the "right" way.
Grit enters at the ends of ways and laps away at the precision surfaces. I suggest vacuuming the swarf and grit, do not use compressed air to clean.
Solid advice!
Comment for the algorithm
Appreciated!