Thread: Hercus OLM279

Hi,

I've been using the mill some lately to make up my little non-firing 12 pounder cannon. I've been oiling it every time I start her up but I dubious about how much or if any oil is being delivered via the oil nipples especially to the vertical head.

What's the best way to check? I'm thinking just take the nipple off and see?

Thanks Ben.

Originally Posted by bwal74

Hi,

I've been using the mill some lately to make up my little non-firing 12 pounder cannon. I've been oiling it every time I start her up but I dubious about how much or if any oil is being delivered via the oil nipples especially to the vertical head.

What's the best way to check? I'm thinking just take the nipple off and see?

Thanks Ben.

Hello Ben,

If you use a push pump or pom pom type oiler, you can see whether the oil is being delivered by observing the length of pump tube projecting from the pump body. Less oil in the oiler, shorter the projection. When I used my No.O it would leak oil through the vertical head's lower seal. Enough that there would be a small puddle on the table the following day.

Given my experience with grease in the nipples of my mill, I'd recommend removing ALL the nipples and checking both them and the oilways for evidence of grease. Make sure you check the spindle pulley oil nipple. My mill came with a Dymo label attached to the inside of the door stating USE OIL ONLY. Some clever fellow ignored the advice and pumped grease into the pulley nipple. There are a few threads discussing galled and seized spindles.

I am interested to hear if your vertical head runs hot. Mine does, I reckon it's a seal friction issue.

Bob.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Hello Ben,

If you use a push pump or pom pom type oiler, you can see whether the oil is being delivered by observing the length of pump tube projecting from the pump body. Less oil in the oiler, shorter the projection. When I used my No.O it would leak oil through the vertical head's lower seal. Enough that there would be a small puddle on the table the following day.

Given my experience with grease in the nipples of my mill, I'd recommend removing ALL the nipples and checking both them and the oilways for evidence of grease. Make sure you check the spindle pulley oil nipple. My mill came with a Dymo label attached to the inside of the door stating USE OIL ONLY. Some clever fellow ignored the advice and pumped grease into the pulley nipple. There are a few threads discussing galled and seized spindles.

I am interested to hear if your vertical head runs hot. Mine does, I reckon it's a seal friction issue.

Bob.

Hi Bob,

I use a pom pom type oiler. There is always less oil in there when i finish. Sometimes oil sprays out of the nipple/oiler. I took the two nipples of the VH today, they are working. What I didn't do (I just realized) is check them off the machine.

I'm confident no grease was used on the machine, the seller was adamant oil was only used. Plus there was a big pool of oil in the bottom of the case. I don't trust the oil nipple in the spindle pulley, i never feel like I'm getting enough oil in there.

The VH does get hot after awhile. Though not as much lately (effects of more use?).

Ben

Hi,

I finally made up a draw bar for the ER25 Collet chuck AB gave me for my mill. The collet set I ordered from a chinese seller turned up earlier this week.

I was able to try out two carbide insert endmills from work. One was a single insert cutter, didn't really have a good result with that one. The other was a double insert cutter. The end result was slightly better on flat black bar steel. But the little Hercus isn't really up to modern insert cutters. I think I'd only use them for small steel jobs that weren't worth taking to work to do. It did chew through the aluminium though.

The draw bar is a quickie I made up just so i could use the endmills.

Ben