Thread: Woodfast Cobra Lathe

What makes you think it needs bearings? Post the concerns here and you will get loads of advice and opinions to choose from.

Wood lathe head stocks are pretty straightforward, you should not have much trouble taking apart and reassembling.

If you can't find an exploded view, cut down a cardboard box to about 50mm deep to make a shallow tray. Put it where you won't knock in on the floor.

As you take pieces off, put them in order. A plastic ice cube tray is good to group screws and nuts together.

A step by step set of photographs would also help.

See if Carroll's can help you.

http://www.cws.au.com/index.html

Once you get the bearing(s) out they can be referenced and supplied by any industrial parts supplier for a lot less $ than original equipment suppliers. Numbering on bearings is mostly internationally standard.

Easiest way is to take all parts away from the head stock, motor rear cover etc.

This way you can see the spindle from both ends.

You will have to take the pulley of the spindle and this is usually held in place with a grub screw, then you should see a circlip holding the rear bearing in place or their may be a circlip over the shaft. depending on wht you see will dictate which way the shaft will come out.

It has been a lot of years since I have seen the cobra so I cant remember excatly which way it will come out.

Have a look at the front bearing and see it it is sitting in a housing or the casting covers it a bit if it covers it then the bearing has to go out the other way.

If Bronte is following this thread he would have more info for you or look him up and send a PM..

Hey Paul, Oldiephred and Jim.

Thanks for the replys, I think that the bearings are US because when I have the lathe running there is a grumbling noise coming from the Headstock, I can make the noise change pitch by adjusting the Tailstock pressure, when I disconnect the drive belt I can feel the 'grumble' in the Bearings. I am about to go out and attack the beasty now, I have a Bearing place in town and he seems to think that I wont have a problem replacing them, we will get Sealed ones that shouldn't need replacing for a few years. I will keep you all posted.

HazzaB

Hey Everyone,

An up date on my lathe, I talked to some people and did a Google, found some info, lots of people have had problems with the motor mount, so I investigated a bit further and have all but solved the problem, I need a new drive belt and a stragetically placed wedge has taken 99% of the noise, Also some operator training. Being a big fella, sometimes 'tight as' is too tight. in relation to Tail stock and tool rest Cam locks.

HazzaB