27-02-2014, 09:19 AM
Hi,
Thanks Refugee for asking and I'll take a few more pictures to explain in better detail how the idler pulley was located and how I removed the shaft to release the pulley.
Yes; the "bung" is located in the outer shaft end and this is actually the grease cup. The picture shows just how difficult it would be for a novice to extract this shaft because the outer end of the shaft is hidden by layers of dirt and paint the only clue being the grease cup; I use an old broken power hacksaw blade which I've sharpened across one end like a wood chisel as a scraper to remove this kind of dirt and paint which it does quickly and easily; this then exposed the outer end of the shaft. Access to the inner end of the shaft is rather limited due to a strengthening web between the ways so I had to punch the shaft out using the aluminium drift at an angle; this exposed just enough shaft for me to grasp in my gloved hand to fully extract it. I used an aluminium drift in order not to throw up a burr on the shaft end otherwise it would have turned into a nightmare trying to remove the shaft; it's surprising just how much trouble a slight burr can cause also I avoid using "grips" on shafts because these too cause damage to the shaft. It's most important to exercise patience whilst stripping a machine; it's incredibly easy to cause severe damage; even a slight hammer tap on a shaft will render a close fitting shaft extremely tight to remove. Always double check for fasteners like grub screws which are often easy to miss and please don't assume simply slackening a fastener is enough; many have pointed ends which fit into a dimple in a shaft so to simply slacken by a small amount the shaft will initially move then suddenly lock solid; this is the point where a novice uses a bigger hammer?
For those unfamiliar with this kind of work had the soft aluminium drift not been successful then an alternative method to remove this shaft would be to remove the grease cup then a suitable threaded rod could be screwed into the shaft end and used as an extractor which is the correct way in this instance but using the aluminium drift was much quicker.
It's just been pouring down with rain but I'll pull the car out and have another session on this Lorch today; I'm keen to press on with this restoration.
Kind regards, Col.
Thanks Refugee for asking and I'll take a few more pictures to explain in better detail how the idler pulley was located and how I removed the shaft to release the pulley.
Yes; the "bung" is located in the outer shaft end and this is actually the grease cup. The picture shows just how difficult it would be for a novice to extract this shaft because the outer end of the shaft is hidden by layers of dirt and paint the only clue being the grease cup; I use an old broken power hacksaw blade which I've sharpened across one end like a wood chisel as a scraper to remove this kind of dirt and paint which it does quickly and easily; this then exposed the outer end of the shaft. Access to the inner end of the shaft is rather limited due to a strengthening web between the ways so I had to punch the shaft out using the aluminium drift at an angle; this exposed just enough shaft for me to grasp in my gloved hand to fully extract it. I used an aluminium drift in order not to throw up a burr on the shaft end otherwise it would have turned into a nightmare trying to remove the shaft; it's surprising just how much trouble a slight burr can cause also I avoid using "grips" on shafts because these too cause damage to the shaft. It's most important to exercise patience whilst stripping a machine; it's incredibly easy to cause severe damage; even a slight hammer tap on a shaft will render a close fitting shaft extremely tight to remove. Always double check for fasteners like grub screws which are often easy to miss and please don't assume simply slackening a fastener is enough; many have pointed ends which fit into a dimple in a shaft so to simply slacken by a small amount the shaft will initially move then suddenly lock solid; this is the point where a novice uses a bigger hammer?
For those unfamiliar with this kind of work had the soft aluminium drift not been successful then an alternative method to remove this shaft would be to remove the grease cup then a suitable threaded rod could be screwed into the shaft end and used as an extractor which is the correct way in this instance but using the aluminium drift was much quicker.
It's just been pouring down with rain but I'll pull the car out and have another session on this Lorch today; I'm keen to press on with this restoration.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
