Maximat 7/Emcomat 7 Headstock Upgrade - Pt. 2

Part 2 of the Emco headstock upgrade project. Installing the ball bearings into the newly created flange and reassembling the headstock. This conversation has made a huge difference in reducing the headstock noise.
Instagram @roddyworkshop
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[@jfk720]

Night and day. Good job.

[@aguycalledlucas]

Very nice work

[@roddyworkshop4454]

Thank you!

[@mr2981]

Even if you had a press, you would have put stress on the bearings when you pressed that assembly on. The better way would be to press the bearings onto the shaft first, via the inner races, then install the flange/housing over the bearings last, because it's not a press fit.

[@jenskapmeyer2579]

Thank you for this video, I am pleased to see people work on and with this old lathe that I also have. Nice tuning project! I also love the gearbox plexi cover 😀

[@roddyworkshop4454]

Glad you enjoyed it! I was extremely happy with how much this reduced the headstock noise. The lexan cover was supposed to be a temporary thing, but I enjoyed seeing the inner workings of the headstock in action!

[@kaihuck6641]

It is really funny. Good job! I am just complaining about the noise at my machine and now I find the solution! Thank you very much. I have my Emcomat already for a long time and did already a lot of restaurations on it. I got it from srap and it took a while to find all needed part to make it run again. Last projekt was to get rid of that horrible multi function switch in tape deck style. I changed it with single switches for change of speed, directions and run the mill. I ad the same tool post on it and I am quiet happy with it. It is very rigid and very comfortable as the version of Aluminium before. It would be good if you ad the spec of the bearings in the description.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

I'm glad this helped you and thanks for watching! It took me a while to track down my noise problem. My Maximat 7 had been sitting in a shed for probably 20 years before I acquired it. It's condition was a little rough but it clean up nicely. I'd like to hear more about your switch setup! The previous owner of my Maximat v10 rewired the buttons and put all the switches in an external box, about the size of a shoe box. I don't really like it and I am thinking about doing something similar to what you did. Here are the links to the bearings I used. I didn't spend a lot of money on them because I didn't know if they would work. I would buy higher quality bearings if I did this project again. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z8XPXD2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_image_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086CYRBSZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@kaihuck6641]

@@roddyworkshop4454 No Problems, it was an easy jop after I understood the wiring. I could post or send you somewhere the links of the switches ,the wiring and pics of the results.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

@@kaihuck6641 thanks for tagging me on Instagram! Your set up looks great. Looks like it came from the factory like that! Electronics are my weak area, so I need to catch up so I can do something similar. What did you do with the motor capacitors?

[@kaihuck6641]

@@roddyworkshop4454 No capacitor. My machine works with 3 phases. I do not know where you are located. But in Germany you have 3 phases with 400 V. A capacitor you need only if you use 1 Phase with 220 V. If you are in US you have 230V with 3 phases and 110V on 1 phase. Could you send me a pic of the identification plate of you motor I could tell you what kind of motor you have.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

@@kaihuck6641 I appreciate the explanation, I learned something new! I wasn’t aware that 3 phase motors don’t need a capacitor. Again, my knowledge of electronic is very little. I am in the US and I have a single phase, 115v motor. If I redo the switches then I’ll just keep the capacitors

[@carlwilson1772]

Excellent job. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as the saying goes. An order of magnitude reduction in bearing noise. Great design work in manufacturing the various parts too. Looking forward to your next film.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that chattering noise go away and have this little experiment be successful. I really appreciate the support, I have a couple more ideas for some future vids!

[@kingofhearts3703]

Thank you for showing this, i have an emcomat 7, will be doing this upgrade too soon 👍

[@roddyworkshop4454]

It’s a great upgrade! Thanks for watching

[@campbellmorrison8540]

Wow you did well to find bearings like those. Would you mind telling me what sort of oil you are using in your headstock please? I have replaced mine after a lot of trying to find a correct fluid but ended up taking a ISO68 fluid recommended by a local supplier however it seems thinner than yours although Im not sure what speed you are running those shots at. The chances of being able to get the same fluid as you have is slim in New Zealand but worth asking. The problem I find here is I have to buy gallons as they don't supply in small quantities.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

Thanks! it was a fun project. I'm running ISO 32 hydraulic oil in my headstock. I think the last gallon I purchased was around $20 USD or so. I agree that it appears to be too thin but that's what EMCO recommended. Could 30W motor oil be used? - probably. I just haven't tested it out.

[@campbellmorrison8540]

@@roddyworkshop4454 30W is quite thick so I dont think so but the real issue in using motor oil is they have detergents in them which causes foaming in headstocks but the real problem is in a car you want any particles to stay in suspension so it can be filtered out but in a headstock you want the particles to fall to the bottom as there is no filtering. Thats my understanding anyway

[@retromechanicalengineer]

What a difference! That's amazing. I think you might be the first to solve this problem, I certainly haven't heard of it being done before. I'd be interested to know the specific bearing part numbers you used. Great video. Best wishes, Dean in Oxfordshire, UK.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

I was also very happy with the results of this! Hard to say if I'm the first to do this, but maybe the first to make a youtube video about it? Either way, I hope it benefits/inspires some people, much like others' youtube videos have done to me. Probably should have included the bearing info in the description, but below are the amazon (US) links to the parts. I couldn't justify investing a bunch of money in bearings for this experiment, but if I do this again then I will probably spend a little bit more money and get some higher quality bearings. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z8XPXD2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_image_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086CYRBSZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@retromechanicalengineer]

@@roddyworkshop4454 thanks for replying with the specs. It's a great modification.

[@jesperskoglund5211]

@@roddyworkshop4454 Is "12x18x12mm" the correct Dim on the Needle Roller Bearing? Cheers, Jesper

[@dimsum5567]

Why didn’t you just replace the bronze bearings?

[@roddyworkshop4454]

Because the bearings are an upgrade from the bronze bushings

[@dimsum5567]

@@roddyworkshop4454 as far as I know those bronze bearings allow way higher loads. But of course it is up to you. I am considering buying the same machine, how do you like it overall in terms of accuracy, runouts, backlashes? I heard they are great quality, but a little worried about buying such an old machine, scary to get a worn bed, I heard it is not hardened. They are also very expensive.

[@roddyworkshop4454]

@@dimsum5567 There isn't much load on the bronze bushings to begin with. The main spindle has tapered rolling bearings which take the load. I've since sold the maximat 7 and now use my maximat v10. The beds are not flamed hardened by they are hard beds. Cant remember the exact hardness but it's in the manual. Accuracy is great and backlash can be taken up with the bolts on the hand wheels. They are high quality, precision machines and definitely worth the investment in my opinion

[@dimsum5567]

@@roddyworkshop4454 thanks for replying, what would you consider to b a reasonable price to pay for a clean maximat 7 these days?

[@roddyworkshop4454]

@@dimsum5567 it really depends on where you on in the world. I paid $1,500 for both my 7 and v10, but they both come with a lot of accessories and milling attachments