Fobco Star Quill Spring - Removal

Morning All,

I am looking into starting a strip and rebuild of my Fobco Star, as it looks old and tired, and there is play in the spindle bearings that requires attention.

Currently in the reasearch and info gathering phase before starting work. The question I have relates to removing the quill return spring. I haven't yet found anywhere that documents how to do it safely and so that it can be refitted - the lathes.co.uk website suggests fitting a new spring on rebuilding, which seems pretty wasteful considering there is no problem with the old one (that I know of). I bought the Fobco 'manual' from lathes.co.uk and it was pretty disappointing to be honest, with only a couple of pages of 'notes' and a load of old sales brochures.

Can anyone offer any practical tips on removing and refitting the spring without losing fingers or eyes?

Thanks,

Anthony

Normally (on most drills) the spring sits in a housing cup with the outer tail of the spring attached to the inside of the rim of the cup. The spring is put in tension by turning the cup and then locking it to the casing of the headstock usually via a grub screw or similar. Releasing the screw allows the cup to turn and the tension to be released again.

The above is not specific to Fobco drill but maybe it will give you a few hints.

regards Martin

The spring and cup that it lives in is easily removed ..take the ball of the handle and slip the handle out. Under the casting is a grub screw loosen this and the tension will be released.

then you can slip the gear out towards the left when standing at the front.

then remove the friction cap off the spring and with care you can remove the spring but theres no need really to remove it unless its broken