Dan Forman
12-08-2007, 5:43 AM
In the course fo doing some maintenance on my MiniMax 14" jointer/planer, I discovered that there was rust both on the cutterhead bearings, as well as the cast iron block that houses them. What was once a fairly simple task, removing the head, became very difficult, as the bearings were essentially frozen into the block. With some persuasion from a wooden mallet, they eventually seperated.
Of course this had to happen on the weekend when I can't call MM, so I'm asking here.
I think I'll have the bearings replaced, as the outer surface looks kind of groaty. Here is a pic after it was cleaned up.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/T-Caster/P1010709.jpg
I took a bit of 1500 grit sandpaper to the cast iron block the bearings seat in, but didn't want to disturb the fit, so just went lightly. There isn't any pitting, but it didn't clean up entirely.
I still have the old Tersa head, with it's own bearings intact, so I think I'll put that back until I can get this sorted out.
My two main questions are: Why did this happen?, and how can I prevent it from happening again?
Should I have greased the cavities before intalling the new head?
Do I have to remove all of the rust on the block to keep it from coming back, and if so, how, without creating a loose fit?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Dan
Of course this had to happen on the weekend when I can't call MM, so I'm asking here.
I think I'll have the bearings replaced, as the outer surface looks kind of groaty. Here is a pic after it was cleaned up.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/T-Caster/P1010709.jpg
I took a bit of 1500 grit sandpaper to the cast iron block the bearings seat in, but didn't want to disturb the fit, so just went lightly. There isn't any pitting, but it didn't clean up entirely.
I still have the old Tersa head, with it's own bearings intact, so I think I'll put that back until I can get this sorted out.
My two main questions are: Why did this happen?, and how can I prevent it from happening again?
Should I have greased the cavities before intalling the new head?
Do I have to remove all of the rust on the block to keep it from coming back, and if so, how, without creating a loose fit?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Dan