Emco

Hi

I have an Emco FB2 milling machine (made in Austria) that is leaking oil from the quill. The Instuction book doesn't show an exploded view of the quill so I am not sure if there is an oil seal contained in it. Has anyone had experience in fixing such a leak and if so where can you buy the parts needed.

Kind regards

Les Kerr

I had my one apart years ago and as far as I remember there aren't any seals inside there is only an o ring on the outside that was causing my one to leak some oil.I hope this will be helpful

Les,

I also have an FB2, have had it for about 25 years and it has served me well. It too has leaked oil from the quill for many years, but the rate of leakage is so slow that I only have to top up the oil every couple of years or so. The main problem is that if I don't remember to wipe it off after a few days of not using it, I get spattered with oil thrown off by the rotation!

I did speak to the current importers at an exhibition about 4 years ago, and they told me that they did sell replacement seals (but didn't give me any details about where they went). In the end I didn't bother as, for the reasons above, it wasn't bothering me enough to make it a pressing matter.

David

Hello Les,>>

I also have an Emco FB2 but mine was made in the “East”. Taiwan was mentioned by the supplier. It developed an oil leak from the quill after a couple of years. There was also some play in the bearing. I dismantled the quill. The roller bearing surface was pitted and rough. I tried replacing the cage of rollers but there was still play. I then decided get the hardened bearing surface of the spindle as smooth as I could and replace the rollers with a bronze bush. It was not too difficult and I ended up with a free running bearing that has been going now for at least 10 years and shows no sign of play. >>

Sorry about this saga, but in answer to your question there is an O ring on the spindle that should stop oil leaking from the spindle/quill junction. At the time that I was doing this the quill assembly was dismantled and reassembled several times. Each time I replaced the O ring with a new one but still ended up with a small leak. It still leaks but as mentioned above the leak is so small that I now live with it. I have owned my FB2 for 15 years now and it is still a nice accurate machine.>>

I obtained my spares from Pro machine tools Ltd in the UK. They were very helpful and gave good service.>>

I hope that this helps.>>

Ray>>

Correction on my previous post

There is a seal in the FB2 quill.When I bought my mill in 1988 there was radial play in the needle bearing .I notified Emco about the problem and they send me a new quill no questions asked.I still had the old set laying around but forgot about it till now.The top roller bearing are market for the axial trust direction.I am not sure which way they go in but maybe somebody can tell you The black threaded ring is left threaded

Frank

"a small snifting valve in the filler screw will eliminate this problem."

As does unscrewing the filler screw a turn or so - well, it does on my Taiwanese FB2 clone ! The filler plug thread is an "easy" fit in the head casting, with enough clearance to relieve the pressure build-up in use without letting oil out if it is not screwed fully closed.

I'm sure your approach is the correct way to sort the problem, Graham, but mine involves a little less work

Regards,

Nigel B.