Attention! Rancid with other word hardened and unuseful grease in semi-universal dividing head BS-0, BS-1, universal dividing head BS-2.

[Mechanicboy]

Hi all people who own Chinese made semi-universal dividing head BS-0, BS-1, universal dividing head BS-2.

When I used the dividing head, I discovered that there were hard points in the bearing, the crank did not feel the same all the way. Then I noticed that the workpiece that was milled was not in the center since I use an adapter with ER-32 collet attached in dividing head.

So I measured with the dial on the cone inside the dividing head and discovered that it was a throw. Tried to adjust the thrust bearing without it helping, still slack in the spindle.

So I disassembled the dividing head and discovered the grease was rancid and hard mass.
Washed all parts clean and free of rancid grease. These bearings was checked and found to not be damaged. Note: Replace bearings if damaged or hard points in bearings. Greased with new wheel bearing grease that I have lying in my workshop room. So I adjusted the thrust bearing, but still slack. Found that the length of the shaft was a bit too long. So I put a 3 mm / 1/8" thick disc that I have turned to adjust between the adjusting nut and the thrust bearing. Then there was no slack and reduced throw in the spindle.

In other words, the Chinese grease that was used to lubricate the bearings and gears in the dividing head was of poor quality that turns rancid and hardens over time.

Encourages you to clean and lubricate with bearing grease in the chinese dividing head so the quality of dividing head will be better.

Regards Jens Eirik

 

[Chiptosser]

I have found this in other tools too! Makes you wonder what they are using.
Animal fat??

 

[Mechanicboy]

I have found this in other tools too! Makes you wonder what they are using.
Animal fat??

Probably, I'm not sure how are the grease produced in China. The Chinese oil/grease smell difference from other oil/grease.

 

[BaronJ]

Hi Guys,

That was the sort of stuff that was in the spindle bearings on my mill !

I scrubbed them clean using white spirit ! I few day later when I emptied the plastic container, I found this lot caught in the bottom of it.

Just look at the amount of metal in there ! No wonder that the spindle was difficult to turn by hand and felt rough.

 

[Mechanicboy]

I has Chinese milling machine, then I take a check in case the bearings is dirty and bad grease. I must be sure all is in good order.

 

[dnalot]

Chinese greases and oils are made of monky spit, dead silk worms and ear wax. Sometimes a little saw dust for thickener.

Mark T

 

[SmithDoor]

There oil port on dividing head.
I have BS-0 and I just keep oil.

Dave

Hi all people who own Chinese made semi-universal dividing head BS-0, BS-1, universal dividing head BS-2.

When I used the dividing head, I discovered that there were hard points in the bearing, the crank did not feel the same all the way. Then I noticed that the workpiece that was milled was not in the center since I use an adapter with ER-32 collet attached in dividing head.

So I measured with the dial on the cone inside the dividing head and discovered that it was a throw. Tried to adjust the thrust bearing without it helping, still slack in the spindle.

So I disassembled the dividing head and discovered the grease was rancid and hard mass.
Washed all parts clean and free of rancid grease. These bearings was checked and found to not be damaged. Note: Replace bearings if damaged or hard points in bearings. Greased with new wheel bearing grease that I have lying in my workshop room. So I adjusted the thrust bearing, but still slack. Found that the length of the shaft was a bit too long. So I put a 3 mm / 1/8" thick disc that I have turned to adjust between the adjusting nut and the thrust bearing. Then there was no slack and reduced throw in the spindle.

In other words, the Chinese grease that was used to lubricate the bearings and gears in the dividing head was of poor quality that turns rancid and hardens over time.

Encourages you to clean and lubricate with bearing grease in the chinese dividing head so the quality of dividing head will be better.

Regards Jens Eirik

 

[Mechanicboy]

There oil port on dividing head.
I have BS-0 and I just keep oil.

Dave

Dave..

The oil are to lubricate the worm shaft and brake beside the thrust bearing. Also the oil do not have access to lubricate the thrust bearing, spindle bearing and gearwheel/worm gear. Also they are lubricated by the grease. Disassembly the dividing head and find what you will see..

 

[SmithDoor]

Dave..

The oil are to lubricate the worm shaft and brake beside the thrust bearing. Also the oil do not have access to lubricate the thrust bearing, spindle bearing and gearwheel/worm gear. Also they are lubricated by the grease. Disassembly the dividing head and find what you will see..

I purchased mind about 35 years ago it has oilers for bearings
I guess the Chinese are taking short cuts and sounds like China is using chuck grease

 

[SmithDoor]

Here chuck grease it very sticky and stiff.

https://www.penntoolco.com/bison-ch...m_term=4574861725224047&utm_content=Catch AllI use on some part when lub is hard to do.

Dave

 

[Mechanicboy]

Hi Guys,

That was the sort of stuff that was in the spindle bearings on my mill !

I scrubbed them clean using white spirit ! I few day later when I emptied the plastic container, I found this lot caught in the bottom of it.
View attachment 125131
Just look at the amount of metal in there ! No wonder that the spindle was difficult to turn by hand and felt rough.

BaronJ, after you wrote about milling machine, I did not get peace until I disassembled and washed parts. So much impurities to find, the spindle did not go so clean on roller bearings. The Chinese do not wash the parts properly before assembling the milling machine and also probably other machine tools manufactured in China. Grease was quite tough and the spindle went heavy. Have experienced electric motor broke after the fuse went off many times before I switched to new electric motor.

 

[BaronJ]

Hi Jens,

Thank you for your pictures ! Your bearings don't seem to have as much debris in them as mine had. I was quite shocked when I discovered all that metal in the plastic tray, all from just those two bearings. I've now used lithium wheel bearing grease to re-lubricate them. The spindle now feels smooth and is noise free, so I feel lucky that there does not appear to have been any bearing damage. Though I shall be keeping a close watch on them.

 

[Mechanicboy]

BaronJ,. I has assembled the spindle after carefully cleaning, there was big difference: Less load to start up the milling machine and more smooth. I'm using Mercedes-Benz wheel bearing to lubricate the bearings and all moving parts in the milling machine head. The bearings is preloaded and checked to be warm up to 50-60 degree celsius/130-140 Fahrnheit under 15 minute running. Very satisfied. I'm using same grease to my Siec C-6 lathe, never had problem with the bearings since 2005. ☺

 

[MRA]

(This reminds me of the rumours that the Russians used some kind of grease based on fish to lubricate the jacks which came with Lada cars. Well, that's what it smelt like I guess in Bergen one might be able to find someone elderly who knows what whale oil smells like!).

 

[Mechanicboy]

(This reminds me of the rumours that the Russians used some kind of grease based on fish to lubricate the jacks which came with Lada cars. Well, that's what it smelt like I guess in Bergen one might be able to find someone elderly who knows what whale oil smells like!).

In fact the whale oil was the best oil to lubricate the finer instruments and clock. Here is the link.. Whale oil as lubricant

 

[bdolin]

I had a VERY old pipe threading set that specified the use of the “ best bear grease”

 

[57mm_M18]

In fact the whale oil was the best oil to lubricate the finer instruments and clock. Here is the link.. Whale oil as lubricant

I the instrument oil was the oil found in an organ of the sperm whale. That oil was used by the whale to send and receive sound waves. Correct me if I am wrong. This oil was highly sought after and quite expensive due to the disappearing supply. Modern oils have since replaced these lubricants.

 

[abby]

"Modern oils have since replaced these lubricants."
Thank heavens for that , whale oil was also used in lamps for indoor lighting and for quenching steel during heat treatment.
Dan.

 

[SmithDoor]

I have bottle of whale oil but never used.
The synthetic oil is best it over 100 years old.

They looking at chuck type as being rancid grease. Most Chuck grease looks rancid out new can.

Dave

"Modern oils have since replaced these lubricants."
Thank heavens for that , whale oil was also used in lamps for indoor lighting and for quenching steel during heat treatment.
Dan.

 

[SlowDave]

I restored an Martini Henry once and it was covered in what I concluded was rancid yak butter. Seriously, many of my 100 year old machining books have all sorts of animal based recipes for cutting and lubricating compounds. Maybe they are still being used. Or perhaps it is something out of the Soylent Green factories