Monarch 612 Lathe Restoration: Cleaning and Repairing the Hydraulic System

Monarch 612 Lathe Restoration: Cleaning and Repairing the Hydraulic System
Support VintageMachinery.org on Patreon:
/ vintagemachinery
Make a one time donation to VintageMachinery via PayPal:
www.paypal.me/VintageMachinery
Please Visit: www.vintagemachinery.org
Sponsored by:
American Rotary Phase Converters
www.americanrotary.com/?sld=k...
Use checkout code "Vintage10" for a 10% discount on all AD, ADX and AI converters!

[@stevenslater2669]

How many machinists brother to get a “cat scan” of their lathe’s hydraulic systems? Kieth Rucker does!

[@afnDavid]

6:50 Shop Cat goes zooming by :-)

[@MrClickbang357]

It's always good to see Shop manager Ginger!!!

[@uselessaccount126]

Keith, I hope your weight loss was intentional and your health is in perfect condition and you make videos for us to watch and enjoy forever. Best

[@clypeum5063]

He looks way better! Great for him!

[@billsargent3407]

he did it on purpose

[@grntitan1]

@@ANewDawn353Well thanks doc. Everyone knows all the best health diagnoses are made on KZbin videos. SMH

[@uselessaccount126]

Glad to hear that@@billsargent3407

[@uselessaccount126]

indeed@@clypeum5063

[@jimc4731]

Just pour the new oil into the open tank, then bolt on the cover! No funnel required! 🤔

[@johnwilcox4078]

Well done, and I liked it when the curious kitty came by to inspect 😸

[@Farm_fab]

My former boss's wife was also his bookkeeper, and he had to order some pigmat for a job. He wound up needing to explain what the phone number 1-800-hot-hog was for on the CC bill. I asked him if she was worried that he was buying PORKnography.😅

[@ZaphodHarkonnen]

There are risks for working with family. :P

[@SciPunk215]

This is one of those jobs that can be overlooked throughout the life of the machine. Fixing it now adds so much value to the machine and gives you the best chance for longevity in the future.

[@carlbukowsky1931]

Keith, more please…great value and let’s see more Monarch!

[@grntitan1]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who manages to over run the funnel.

[@johnopalko5223]

Keith, you apparently treat your animals well. Reading Ginger's tail, I saw a very happy and confident cat.

[@jamesriordan3494]

Keith, It’s always a pleasure to watch your thoughtful, practical approach; there’s never an episode where Ai don’t learn something. Thank you for sharing what you do !

[@bogartaspen]

It's nice to see you revisit an old project.

[@rtertertrryyty]

Thank you for the longer video with excellent content. Good job😅

[@MrClickbang357]

Oh no - you're not my friend! GINGER is - I know who to suck up to!!! Great video as usual!!!

[@100loh]

Hevent watched your channel for quite some time. Just wanted to say you look much better that how i remember you. Nice and healthy. Good job.

[@randopete3299]

I was at a tool room auction last week. Almost cried, one of these Monarch lathes sold for about $300. Auctions can be weird, everybody was interested in the Hardinge machines.

[@billsargent3407]

Yes Yes!!!!!!!!!!!! This was my favorite lathe! It was such a basket when it rolled in!

[@tmodeltrent]

Although you did not call it out in the video, the repair/restoration of the hydraulic fluid sight class appears to have been successful as well. Nice job!

[@homeonthewaves]

Hi Keith, I've been watching the Monarchs 612 Playlist, and discovered that this video is not in your Monarch 612 Playlist. Hopefully you will see this, and add this to the Playlist. All the best.

[@johnpope4464]

Glass looks great

[@martineastburn3679]

Keith, now you discover the need to draw hoses through machines - some are complex paths - have a rope tied to one end of the old and pull the rope through the machine so it can be used to pull the new one back in the pathway that might be out of sight and touch and feel. Maybe not this machine. I have two Hydraulic machines myself. Surface grinders. The old oil you are dumping might have acids that are generated as the oil breaks down.

[@WillyBemis]

Thank you Keith!

[@edsmachine93]

Nice job Keith on the sight glass restoration. Nice that you went the extra mile cleaning out the hydraulic tank. But you always do. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week. 👍 Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@rival9417]

Just a quick note for you,,when fitting o rings like that only tighten the nut on the back,turning the bolts has a habit of tearing the o rings

[@phillipyannone3195]

I agree, in fact most banjo bolts I deal with require flat washers made of fiber,copper or aluminum. I suppose it is possible that some banjo bolts are designed for use with o rings in which case there would be a recess for the o ring to fit into.😊

[@mikewatson4644]

Also, putting some lubricant on the o-ring will help it to seat better and prevent leaks.

[@tpobrienjr]

Thanks to Ginger for the CAT scan.

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

Thanks for sharing

[@johncloar1692]

Thanks for the video Keith, Can't wait to see it up and running.

[@jackgreen412]

Always excellent content! Keith, you do seem like a friend.

[@user-dn4iv2ne6r]

Hello Keith, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to all the viewers out there. Hopes for a prosperous and more peaceful 2024. I have to say that you had me tearing out my hair on this one. My preference would have been to remove the door at the hinge and take everything to the parts washer. My knees just hurt watching. Clean out the tank, pump, lines, etc. Make sure the pump works at the bench. Wait for the new filter. Don't put the old one back in with clean fluid. In fact, the whole system needs to be flushed. Probably never has been done. That plastic cap will never keep out dirt. Get whatever you have to get for a proper cap on that tank. Don't want to sound like the Grinch but I was salivating over that lathe and really hope everything is done 110%.

[@seapy2398]

My thoughts exactly.

[@TonyHammitt]

That is such a beautiful old machine! Think of all of the work it's done and has yet to do

[@migueltorres6073]

Good job

[@ELBigYuyo]

Excellent content Keith. Longtime follower here, always enjoy your videos.

[@bin_chicken80]

Really looking forward to this one Keith 👍

[@tonyn3123]

Isn't it nice to finally fix a leak that you have lived with for some time? It is one less thing you have to keep in mind while using the machine. Thanks.

[@WayneT51]

G'day Keith, greetings from down under. Just a quick note to wish you and the family a Very Merry Christmas and a safe and wonderful 2024.

[@ProjectShopFl]

Great job, Can't wait to see that thing up and running.

[@bernardwill7196]

Little bit early but, I wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Greetings from Germany.

[@bigun447]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 2024, Wow! For us that were born when the outcome of WWII was still in doubt that is an undreamed year to be still alive. Is it not fun to shake your head and feel your jowls flap. Keep it up and the years of your life will be extended. I have noticed that you are not breathing as hard as you did before your kidney stone event.

[@csnelling4]

Thank you Keith 👍😊

[@JFirn86Q]

Really excited for this series. I've always wanted one of this type of monarch. Thanks for making the videos

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

The little projects that get put on the back burner seem to get larger. I started writing up a list of things that needed to get done, "when I get time" and I realized I probably won't ever get them done. I did find that it was a good idea to write them down when I thought about them because it saves time finding them again.

[@petewindish9637]

That finger nail! Thanks for getting back to this machine.

[@timziegler9358]

Merry Christmas to you! Your videos are very interesting and instructive, thank you.

[@tonyjones9715]

Thanks for another great video Keith. I really look forward to watching your videos. 👍

[@dannyl2598]

Thanks Keith.

[@jonareli]

Thanks Keith

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Can not believe your shop was built 7 years ago amazing 🦘

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing.

[@frederickrodger7249]

Nicely done

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing.👍

[@bobvines00]

Keith, I believe that you are over-tightening your hydraulic hose fittings. They should be "snug," definitely not "gronked." You'll damage the mating surfaces, causing them to leak.

[@jimyep9971]

Good Morning

[@wrstew1272]

When you change the filter, a magnet would be an asset to the system. 😊😊

[@josaonline09]

Voice overs are getting better…well played

[@markbernier8434]

As no mention was made I assume the sight glass works. Just mentioning here that some types there is an alignment mark on the bolts and if they are not straight the sight glass will either not fill or not empty.

[@billdoodson4232]

You can see the oil level in it at the end of the video.

[@CothranMike]

@@billdoodson4232 and Mark is correct, the holes are clocked and the nuts are what need the tightening not the bolts.

[@philipmackin1025]

They are "banjo" bolts, like the ones on car brake lines. Doesn't matter how they are clocked as the frame will have an oil passageway/groove circle that matches the hole in the bolt.

[@CothranMike]

@@philipmackin1025 good to know, thanks.

[@smplyizzy]

Looking good!

[@ypaulbrown]

looking great Keith.....best wishes from Orlando, Paul

[@VanFlausch]

Nice to see the Big Monarch getting attention again^^

[@warrenstrukel2556]

I have a model 610 and a 612 doing the same thing on the 612. Now 610 is done

[@jginsberg1]

We have one of these and three of its bigger brothers at work. They are my favorite lathes

[@6NBERLS]

Most excellent.

[@PhilG999]

It's always easy when you have a local shop that can make things! Reminded me of my days as a Sales Engineer in the Mill and Industrial Supply business. I was the Go-To guy when a customer needed somebody that knew what they were doing. Got there and this guy thought I was going to MAKE (from scratch) a power feed setup for his manual milling machine! I tried to explain to him that it would be cheaper and quicker for him just to BUY the thing from the manufacturer and bolt it on. He got all irate and went so far as to call my boss after I left and told him that I "wouldn't help him"! Could I have made one? Yes. If I had about two weeks with nothing else to do. Probably cost 5 times what the factory unit would...

[@fredshaw8323]

Good Job...

[@ZaphodHarkonnen]

Good on Ginger for being the safety officer. It's hard to find replacement servants if they go and injure themselves needlessly.

[@andrewhorsburgh2549]

I'm 73, about the same size, and led an active life but find its getting harder getting up after being on the old knees. Not sure how you keep on doing it. Season greetings from NZ.

[@grntitan1]

Well for one I think he’s considerably younger than you are. Age helps.

[@melshea2276]

Good Morning Georgia!😊

[@wmweekendwarrior1166]

Good Stuff

[@glennanderson4440]

I had to pull my pump and its associated motor, the coupling it was sloppy and worn. I think I remade the coupling (just a meshing pump shaft and motor shaft) Its been 8-9 yrs now. i think i can' remember the details. The beast works but still leaks underneath. A rat was under, maybe it chewed a hose.. Mine is same but a 25x144, overhauling drive screws and travelling rod supports today, only used on the longer lathes, mine has 3 chip pans.

[@johnfriend240]

I have seen a lot of Monarch and other lathe clean ups. Always pulling plugs and draining oil with varying degree of spills and mess. Suggest that a ball valve in place of the plug be installed prior to refilling. Your next oil change can be done with a hose attached and placed in the bucket. When the bucket is full, close the valve instead of racing the replace the plug. This comment from an engineer that had over 5000 hydraulic power units built, never with a valve(!), because the boss was too cheap to OK their installation!

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

i would so like to hang out and learn stuff from him and he is why i have an old 6 foot long lathe, well at least part of the resin ;]

[@mgmoody42]

I've been thinking about this lathe for a long time. I was wondering when you were going to get back to work on it.

[@JaapGrootveld]

Nice lathe..

[@geneard639]

I am going to guess... you are getting ready to work on the Capstan Cover.

[@phlodel]

I've been wondering what was going on with the medium Monarch (I think Brian Block has a large one). I'm glad to see some progress on it.

[@kindablue1959]

Brian's is a 40" swing versus the 'piddly' 28" swing of Keith's. 😲

[@wallbawden5511]

okay the top no one has seen this or they missed it the how does the filter work if the oil is not running down through it the fitting you found in the tank apiaries to me to belong to the return line in the tank on the side of the filter tube there was a pipe extending towards the return line i would assume this is where the fitting just pokes into there thus directing the oil down the centre of the tube into the filter then drains into the tank all gravity feed just my thoughts maybe you need to look up one of your books you have in the library and see if i am right or wrong but seeing as you don't read comments i have just wasted my time but i feel better for it Cheers

[@Hoaxer51]

I believe he reads these comments because he brings it up now and then, so you’re not wasting your time talking about how how a filter functions when it doesn’t appear to be hooked up to anything. Also finding a fitting laying in the bottom of a sealed tank would certainly make you wonder where the heck it came from. I wondered why Keith didn’t look to see if he has a manual for this machine because of those o-rings on the sight gauge, it doesn’t seem right to have those under the head of that bolt, it would sure be better if there was a washer between the head of the bolt and the o-ring to help keep it from twisting, also lubricating the o-ring would certainly help too. It just doesn’t seem like something Monarch build that way. Well, maybe Keith will read your comment and look a little deeper into this. Have a good one!

[@linasvelavicius330]

Thanks for asking the question "how does the filter work". At first I didn't see any connection from the filter to the rest of the system but after reviewing the video @ 13:27 you can see a hole in the cover plate and a hole in the tank that connects the filter. I wonder if that connection needs a new seal?

[@wallbawden5511]

@@Hoaxer51 Hay mate well apon receiving a coupple positive reply have had a harder look see and I am now convinced there is no way for the oil to go through the filter as what I thought I seen was wrong we definitely need to have a look see at the Emanuel or I do but not my lathe Keith knows his machines so ill just go along with him but I have questions that's for sure Cheers all and thanks to those that reply me was good to see from some one else there thoughts on this Cheers

[@philipmackin1025]

It appears that the oil is suctioned from the tank. The return oil from the lathe drops in at the top. @ 14:02 you can see a hole that would be inside the filter. How that return is connected is unknown to me. Anyone have an idea?

[@user-bf7cb6in5l]

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.

[@rudddude5294]

you should look into 3d printing your own gaskets with TPU filament.

[@ydonl]

... because you can never have too many tailstocks! Tailstock... backup tailstock. :-)

[@butter262]

Good morning

[@jerrypeal653]

You’re probably aware if you use cat litter and a brick to grind it into the concrete floor it will clean up very well.

[@cousindave1]

Make sure its fresh cat litter!

[@philipmackin1025]

@@cousindave1 Har Har!

[@pauljoseph8338]

Wow…you’ve lost a ton of weight, Keith! Hope your health is well. I’m in and out of your videos for 10+ years. Do you have an episode where you discuss your weight loss? I’m desperately needing to get into better shape myself.

[@se38005]

Must be good to have a cat helping out 😆

[@azenginerd9498]

Curious how much work to just remove the whole tank and work on it on the bench? Maybe inspect the other hose and swamp off some of the external oil residue.

[@Samalyzer45]

Our shop cat had a semi-permanent grease stripe on his back from crawling around under all the machinery awaiting repair.

[@michaelszyjka565]

Worked on a Lodge &Shipley hydraulic lathe many years ago. Worst machine i ever had to repair. Had plates that moved into a pattern for different speeds and a taper pin aligened them. NOT pin kept bendening the plates. needlest to say never ran right. Shop closed and machine was probably still there when they razed the building. Good luck with the Monarch.

[@douglasmeek9774]

Keith isn’t that actually the lubricant for the head stock? The head stock is shifted manually I think.. wouldn’t the oil be a different grade for lube oil?

[@brianpoi5117]

Did the 10EE restoration get put on the back burner?

[@T1nCh0]

That tank was nasty hahaha damn

[@peteengard9966]

And get a proper breather cap.

[@willybeeish]

Hey Keith, did you really put brand fresh hydraulic fluid in with the old mucky filter? Please tell me you didn't. Happy Christmas from the UK. Bill B

[@kraigjohnson2110]

Hi Keith, I was wondering if you could tell me where you found a hydraulic filter and part number. Thanks

[@RJ455-lu9yf]

I am in my late 70's. I am also left handed. I have been working on cars and machinery since I was a teenager. The thumb joint in my right palm is now painful. For the longest time, I couldn't figure out why. Watching you use the palm of your hand as a mallet on the end of the wrench to loosen the nut made me realize why my right palm is so painful. Sixty plus years of doing what you did has, no doubt damaged that joint. I would suggest you stop doing that and use a rubber mallet.

[@royd.mercer1727]

When Keith runs out of projects.... I won't need an aluminum hat. 🤣

[@felderup]

no closeup, so... fawcett? they operated in canada, dunno bout in the states.

[@oxfd611]

Ginger needs a safety vest that says safety inspector

[@tomswindler64]

😎😎😎👍👍👍nice

[@tropifiori]

Isnt it amazing how much gear oil costs?

[@warbirdwf]

Keith, just wanted to comment about your weight loss. Damn impressive to say the least. You should share what you did or are doing to lose that weight and keep it off for inspiration for others. Well done.

[@TheRevWillNotBeTelevised]

Also hoping that is intentional. Don't know the back story.

[@CothranMike]

@@TheRevWillNotBeTelevised from what I gather this is the result of a life change and bariatric surgery.

[@michaelkoch2109]

👍👍👍😎