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Post by Woodyrock on Jun 10, 2009 0:41:04 GMT -5
Well , a couple of weeks ago, my HP decided it did not wish to cut anything hard, so, it would stop advancing about an inch and half into the cut. Thinking (this usually causes me grief) the feed screw was worn out, I cleaned it up and put the micrometer to it at one inch intervals. Yep, after forty years there was about eight thousands of wear. Not enough to cause the problem. Next, I pulled the clutch nuts out of the machine, and resharpened the threads. After this, the old beast still only cut soft material. So, I email Diamond Pacific, and got, a fast reply, and they sent both copies of the original drawings, and the instruction book to me. There is a trouble shooting sequence in the hardbook, and one of the things it mentioned, was worn bearings on the feed screw ends. I pulled the feed screw out, and the front bearing had worn all the way through. The rear bearing was not that worn. Replaced both. Then, I discover the set screw on the feed screw drive gear, is a wee bit loose. Just enough the allow feed with soft material, but not hard (read agate). Now, that out beasts has new bearings, and a tight set screw, she is running like new.
I know this is wee bit long winded, but I am sure that someone else has an HP that might, just might be showing signs of age, and will benefit from all this. BTW, the two new bearings cost $8.35 at the local hardware store. The amount of saw muck I got on myself, priceless. All this took about half an hour. Woody
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Post by catmandewe on Jun 10, 2009 1:41:25 GMT -5
Good to know, thanks for the post.
Tony
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Jun 11, 2009 22:24:03 GMT -5
Good info thanks Woody!
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Jul 21, 2009 17:53:52 GMT -5
Great info - also remember to check the tension spring. After a few decades they get weak and will let the screw feed slip.
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Post by Woodyrock on Jul 21, 2009 18:38:26 GMT -5
I forgot to mention that I had replaced the tension spring, do you not just hate it when things start to wear out after forty or fifty years. Woody
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