Lux milling machine

Good morning all,

The quill on my Lux mill seemed a little stiff at one point recently and I thought it might be just grime or such, but it was clean enough, so I had a look at the spindle, from the top down, to see if there was anything wrong there.

To my surprise, I found three small pieces of what seem to be chewed up screws, about 5mm I think, sitting in the keyways of the spindle. I removed them, but have no idea where they came from, although I suspect from the gearbox.

Has anyone come across this before and does anyone know how to get at the inside to check ?. I suspect I may have to remove the motor and gearbox cover in order to see what,s happening, not something I,m looking forward to !

I think these screws may have been grubscrews holding gears in place, just a guess, so I am not keen to use the machine until I sort it out.

Any help or advice greatfully appreciated.

Assuming you are referring to a Chester Lux Milling Machine, mine has 2 or 3 cap head screws fitted to the top of the gearbox which secures a plastic cover for the spindle. Does yours have a cover? is it missing? could the screws have vibrated out and found their way into the keyway?

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 29/09/2022 13:26:48

Hi Robert,

Thanks for your swift reply.

Yes, my machine is a Chester Lux, but when I look at the top end of the spindle, all I see is a plastic ring around a bearing, but no screw holes. The bearing is recessed below the level of the gearbox housing, but I think this was only to locate a cone like cover to prevent dirt from falling into the spindle. This cover was never screwed in place, just lift off/lift on.

My cover is securred by two cap head screws which engage in key-slots in the plastic cover to hold it in place. I wonder if the cap is non original and the screws either vibrated out or are a red-herring. I can't see how screws can have exited from the gearbox.

Are there any vacant threaded holes in the gearbox top cover around the spindle? Did you buy the machine new or used? If you would like an image of my machine and also of the Z axis DRO, send me a PM as I can't be bothered with uploading images on to the site.

Regards

Robert

Edited By Robert Butler on 29/09/2022 17:38:11

Hi Robert,

Yes I bought the machine from new, many moons ago, never had any problems with it. Just wondering where those bits of screws came from. Looking into the top end of the spindle, all I see is a black plastic ring, similar to that found on the side of a new bearing. I dont recall ever seeing any other cover there. I have just tried to see if the plastic ring I see is moveable, but it seems to be just the usual shield for the bearing.

Very odd, to say the least !

Larry I have sent you a PM with my email address as it is as difficult to upload images as to post on the forumn. If you respond I can just upload the images and forward them to you directly.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 30/09/2022 14:01:01