Thread: Wickman OPG Optical Grinder.

Hi Stuart,

Wiring colours can be all over the place, I remember trying to sort out wiring once to three remotely located pumps, the "electrician" ran three sets of orange circ, then proceeded to use all the red's on one pump, all the blue's on the second, and all the white on the third pump.. and, no joke he was an A grade electrician... just knew nothing about 3 phase.

Looks like it's coming together, you might get a call one of these days from Matty Fazio, he was interested in some profile grinding.

Regards
Ray

Matty might be waiting awhile, having a little trouble getting some of it to pieces lol

I guess the spraky must have done the same at the panel or nothing would happen. right?
I worked out why mine is wired that way. Its a replacement cable and the factory cable was 3 core, red, blue, green.so they copied that.

The manuals would seem to be from a later model, but still handy no and then, just not with the current problem.

Anyone got a Mercer 0.001" dial gage with an little clock in it? The ones in there were pretty gumbed up. I've cleaned one and its much better but still takes about 200g to "move up" and only 50g to move down. Maybe thats just how they are but my cheapie is more like 120 up 75 down(it has less gears inside though). I'd like to clean it better but I've even having trouble getting it to pieces, I undo the scews on the plate and it doesnt lift off???

Cleaned up some of the optics and started on the wiring. The profile blub 12V60W has been replaced with a quartz halogen of unknown wattage. Its great for using on the projector but blinds you if you try and use the eyepiece. I tried a single diode but while much better is still a little bright. I thought about a light dimmer on the primary side of the tranformer but I recall something about tranformers not liking PWM?

The tranformer isnt behind used for anything but the lighting. The controls will be 240V. As some of the optics for the "surface" lights is missing I'm going to replace some of the bulbs LEDs. So I'll likely need some way of dimming those.

Are these going to work on 12VAC?

12V White LED MES Filament Replacement Bulb 30 Deg 2 Pk | eBay

I'm sure I've left out a few questions.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Are these going to work on 12VAC?

12V White LED MES Filament Replacement Bulb 30 Deg 2 Pk | eBay

I'm sure I've left out a few questions.

Stuart

No, they will need 12V DC but you could always put in a small regulated supply, I've seen then on ebay for under $5.

Transformers don't like PWM.. because they will run hot. (I'm talking iron core, not ferrite) but if you use one of those drill speed controller type dimmers, they are just phase angle fired and should work.

If it comes to that, why not just use 240V halogen and a normal domestic light dimmer?

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Anyone got a Mercer 0.001" dial gage with an little clock in it? The ones in there were pretty gumbed up. I've cleaned one and its much better but still takes about 200g to "move up" and only 50g to move down. Maybe thats just how they are but my cheapie is more like 120 up 75 down(it has less gears inside though).

I have a 1.5" diameter (UK) Fowler reading 0.001"

Michael

Stu,

If 58mm diameter is the correct size and you are happy with a Londoner, I have a Baty that's yours. I'm not trying to white ant Michael's offer. It just might be a size thing.

BT

Hi guys,
Thank you for your kind offers. I should have been clearer but I was not long in from the shed, maybe I shouldnt post late at night lol. ATM I'm just after the "weight" needed to move the the spindle. It feels ok, just heavy, but maybe thats how they are? I've only done a half assed clean on the main spindle bearing, nothing else(well I polished the jewel but that hardly counts). As I'm told they run dry I've just used some alcohol on the inside to flush it. If I could get it apart I'd do a better job but has me stumped ATM.(ok just had the back off the second indicactor, undo the same three screws and it comes apart as expected. Maybe its just a little to much thread lock glueing the first one together?) Getting it back together should prove even more interesting


Thanks Ray,

I'll have to check the switches and bulb type re using 240V.(and find somewhere to hide the dimmer) The wiring would need a rethink also.

I'm using 12VAC as thats what was there. I was going to leave all the factory switching gear in there(though I wont be using any of it), maybe I should just bin it all.

Now if I could just get this work head apart!



Stuart

Stu,

I have an old, maybe 50s, Mercer catalogue. It contains exploded parts drawings. May help.

BT

Hi BT,
Yes please. Having two the same should be a big help. But the drawings sure couldnt hurt.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi BT,
Yes please. Having two the same should be a big help. But the drawings sure couldnt hurt.

Stuart

Stu,

Your indicator looks mighty like a Mercer Alpha 10. I will scan the spare parts list tomorrow.

BT

Hope this is of some use Stu -

Mercer 1 (Large).jpg

The illustration is dated 1951. How old is the Wickman?

BT

Thank you Bob,
Sure looks like mine except one detail. Mine have a third pin in the rack that the tension lever runs on.
I have managed to the the worst one at part far enough that I can clean all of the rack and bush. Given that the spindle seems to me to be sliding freely now and whats said in the care intructions I might leave it at that and "assume" all is well now. It works vertically with the tension spring removed and through 80% of travel horizontally. If things werent prety much as they should be I assume that wouldnt happen.
I'm going to have to move the crystal removing tool up the list a little I think.

No date on the machine I can find. Damn thing doesnt want to be pulled apart but I'm getting there now I think.

Stuart

Well its in pieces. I missed a couple of pictures. Hope I can get it back together.

Anyone want to explain the patterns in the oil?

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Well its in pieces. I missed a couple of pictures. Hope I can get it back together.

Anyone want to explain the patterns in the oil?

Stuart

Some kind of crystal growth? or maybe an algae that likes oil? Looks impressive either way. Perhaps a master scraper with an artistic flair for oil grooves...


Regards
Ray

What took you so long?

That oil pattern sure is interesting, i wonder if Phil has come across it before? Or if RC's grinder suffers the same thing?

Cheers
Ew