"Toothache"

[Gary]

Plastic gears are on the delivery truck and should be hear this afternoon. I'm staying with the ball bearings and plastic gears for the time being and also ordering the metal gears and have them on hand, just in case.

 

[Gary]

Got the gears. Dismantled the Headstock and was amazed at the LACK of grease within. One thing I wish I was aware of BEFORE ordering the gears is that one of the two (appear to be PVC) slotted bushings on the main shaft was broken. For now I achieved a good "repair" of said bushing with superglue, only time will tell how long it will last. What I'm curious about is what and how much grease should I apply/place in the Headstock cavity? I'm thinking of using White Lithium Bearing Grease and liberally applying it to both gears, but I can't see a reason to apply more than that. What say you?

 

[Ian]

The spindle bearings are sealed and the plastic gears should need very little lubrication on the teeth. A light film of lithium wheel bearing grease on the reduction gear shaft, bushings, and gear teeth should be all that's required.

I have to wonder if crusty foundry shmoo is filtering down into the gears and causing bind/breakage.

 

[Gary]

Good possibility Ian, and possibly why the little plastic spacer split. Thanks for the advice and I will follow it to the T.