Thread: Advice wanted- servicing SCM SI15F

All bearings are available, I’ve bought bearings off the shelf for marine engines that are WW2 era, as well as machines that are older than that. Somewhere like CBC bearings can source anything you’ll need for that machine, including the belts.

Originally Posted by riverbuilder

All bearings are available, I’ve bought bearings off the shelf for marine engines that are WW2 era, as well as machines that are older than that. Somewhere like CBC bearings can source anything you’ll need for that machine, including the belts.

Thank you! Do you happen to have the service manual of this model? Cheers

No I don’t. The only place that might would be Gabbet Machinery at Blacktown/Kings Park.

Originally Posted by EldBI

Hi,
Does anyone know which bearings I need to buy for the sliding table of SCM SI15F?
I may purchase a second hand SI15F; However, first I would like to check if I can source replacement bearings, The cone shaped bearings that are closest to the saw blade are very difficult to find.
I was told that it is extremely difficult to find replacement parts for this model, is this true? I really like the SI15F, it is so well made.
In addition, I am looking for a manual for SCM SI15F.
Can anyone please send / scan / sell me one?
Thanks in advance...
Eldi

SI15F is not that old, you should still be able get parts for it from SCM. I used to have an older SCM wide belt sander and SCM still had consumables for it. for manual panel saws if it has never been abused then probably very little need to replace, bearings are all standard and available off the shelf item, V belt is the same.

I dont have SI15F manual. SCM Australia agent maybe able to help you, if not, there is a SCM user group on Groups.io.

I actually did contact SCM Italy to check about the availability of replacement parts. Their answer was that "they no longer have spare parts for this old machine". That was a bit of disappointment to realise that the manufacturer does not provide replacement parts anymore.

What parts are you worried about? Belts and bearings will all be common items widely available. The rest should be durable enough to not need replacement.

Originally Posted by Greg Q

What parts are you worried about? Belts and bearings will all be common items widely available. The rest should be durable enough to not need replacement.

Hi Greg,
I’ll write what an experienced restorer of old woodworking machines have told me with regards to the SCM SI15F:

One of the most common issues is the main fence clamps, these are cast into the large main fence support and are just machines surfaces. If these are badly worn they need lining and line boring.
The other main thing is that the pivot for the extension arm that supports the extension sliding table is worn. Due to the size of the arm it needs a big milling machine to fix them.
The bearings for the main sliding table can also be worn out. There are two different ones used. The cone shaped bearings that are closest to the saw blade I’ve not yet found a source for as I believe they have stopped being made.

I would say that out of all the above, finding the cone shaped bearings sounds like an almost impossible mission...or maybe I just need to look elsewhere for replacement parts and not just with SCM?

Thank you!

The cone shaped bearings you speak of are most probably what is known as Timken Taper bearings and are a very substantial bearing which can be adjusted for wear. Do you have proof that you need to replace the bearings or is this a just in case I might need them inquiry. I have no knowledge of the saw but it might be possible to change the housing sizes for the bearings to a more available size but that would be a substantial exercise I would imagine. If the bearings show any movement of the arbor I would be looking at adjustment more than replacement. All the above is assumption as I do not know the saw at all.

I have some experience in restoring old machines: Deckel and Aciera milling machines, a surface grinder, old woodworking machines. Aeroplanes, boats, cars. Unless the machine is rare and uniquely wonderful I am not sure that I would bother.

Panel saws just kept getting better right up until about 20 years ago. I always thought an aluminium extrusion slider was better than a cast iron one.

I know what you mean about unobtainium bearings, but I would be surprised if SCM used a specialised bearing for a small production given the cost per unit. Deckel on the other hand could make their own bearings so they did. And now don’t.

I have the same machine with a 3.2 sliding table. Mine is a 1983 model and I don't know anything about its former life. When I got it home all I needed to do was give it a little clean then check to see if it was still cutting square and....yes it was. There where a couple of broken adjustment levers on the right hand fence and that was about all. After a couple of years the main spindle bearings became noisy so I bought new bearings from our local bearing and bolt shop. The manual I have even tells you how to go about removing and installing the bearings. I sent an Email to Gabbetts but they obviously not interested in my "old" machine. I don't think Gabbetts try very hard to help out customers in my dealings with them from many years ago.

If you want me to send you the manual you will have to give me your private Email because the Forum won't accept this type of traffic.

Originally Posted by Greg Q

Deckel on the other hand could make their own bearings so they did. And now don’t.

Sounds like Mikron lathe collets; identical to a standard W20 except for the thread pitch, which is 2mm instead of 1.667mm and now unobtainable unless you have them custom made ($$$) or find some old ones.

I imagine the conversation in the design phase goes something like this:
- "We can use standard parts to make maintenance easier and reduce costs."
- "Nah, that's too easy and we won't have a monopoly on spares. Make it look like a standard part, but change one feature just enough to completely screw them if they try to use something we didn't make. MUAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!"

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Sounds like Mikron lathe collets; identical to a standard W20 except for the thread pitch, which is 2mm instead of 1.667mm and now unobtainable unless you have them custom made ($$$) or find some old ones.

I imagine the conversation in the design phase goes something like this:
- "We can use standard parts to make maintenance easier and reduce costs."
- "Nah, that's too easy and we won't have a monopoly on spares. Make it look like a standard part, but change one feature just enough to completely screw them if they try to use something we didn't make. MUAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!"

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention Deckel's unique buttress thread form on their collets and drawbars. I am about to do a full restoration on an older Felder machine and know that they at least used common bearings. Shame about some of the custom fasteners though.