Dore Westbury Milling machine

I have just bought a mark 2 D-W. Can enyone tell me how to operate the gearbox to get low speeds and also to check the oil level. The previous owner never used the gearbox, so couldn't show me this procedure.

RP

To check the oil level you have to take the top off the gearbox. Start undoing bits at the top of the machine - its mostly small allen screws. There is one circlip. Self explanatory - just follow your nose downwards.

Once you have have got to the gearbox, the top comes off - six IIRC countersunk screws. Might be worth marking the lid because the assembly should have been balanced with the lid in place.

To operate. You have 2 pins, which normally live under the gearbox - near the outer rim. You take themout, and put them into the two holes in the side of the gearbox along thete bottom edge. They are about 1/4" dia, and there is an o ring for retaining purposes.

Good machine. I have had one for nearly 30 years - the top drive plate casting needs new dogs, but other than that its done me very well indeed.

Sorry - forgot to say.

When you put the pins in to the holes on the side of the gearbox when engaging low gear, they must engage in corresponding holes in the non rotating section. What one is doing is locking the bottom half of the box (the body) - the pulley will then totate independently. The fixed holes are likely to be aligned with the table centreline.

Likewise when engaging direct drive. There are two holes on the underside of the drive pulley, and you are locking the drive pulley to the gearbox body when you push the pins in from underneath.

Many thanks for the info. mgj , I will follow your instructions over the weekend.

RP

I also have a Mk 2 D.W. Mill purchased second hand. It has some vibration of head/quill assy. Does mjg or any other members know the balancing procedure, or any other reason for the vibration ?

I have a noise/vibration finish problem now. As mentioned its caused by wear in hte drive casting. when I can be bothered I shall replace that casting with a turned steel top hat and a pair of inserted bronze driving pegs. Better, if I get really excited, I will remove the main shaft extension, and replace it with one with 4 drive slots, and alter the top hat accordingly.

Vibration generally - when I built mine the whole gearbox assy was out of balance - not surprisingly since it contains several castings. I made a holder and mounted it in the Quorn spindle, (which is very finely set up) and kept drilling holes in the edge of the housing rim, until it balanced. Exit all vibration till the drive casting wore, 20 years on!

Oh and you need to balance the drive pulley as well - it should be turned on all surfaces, but it was still slightly out of balance, so thats one to check.

Belt tension?

Edited By mgj on 30/03/2012 21:51:06

Edited By mgj on 30/03/2012 21:51:35

One source of vibration can be V belts, if the machine has been out of use for some time with the belt under tension it can take on a set, a bit of running should sort it in that department. Ian S C

I'm thinking of buying a dore westbury milling machine ,what are they like to live with ? I'll mostly be machining aluminium and currently own a Clarke cdm10 micro milling machine but I'm hoping to upgrade too the doer westbury,any advice chaps ?

Re vibration. The gears inside the 'box are on one side, opposite them should be a balance weight of a 1" piece of 1½" dia BDMS.

It is not unknown for this balance weight to be missing.

Phil