M300 Headstock Oil Leaks

[roofman]

If the bearings are still within tolerance when in the machine and slightly noisy then given there availability and price i would re-use myself

 

[northwest]

Lathes that you can pick up when you actually need one, in very good clean condition are like hens teeth

You buy when you can, not when you need, this applies to many things.

I've had a quick look on eBay and there's not an M300 for less than £3k.

Most of them have been there a while, though £3k is a realistic price, I wouldn't let mine go for more than that but I have every last mortal accessory (with the exception of a taper turning attachment, which I could use) and a good selection of steel chucks and collet chucks, steady's, toolholders and a very good quality DRO. No backlash.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

£3k is a realistic price, I wouldn't let mine go for more less than that

FTFY

I've always maintained that the time to buy a bargain is when you don't need it - because when you DO need it, it won't be a bargain.

 

[northwest]

FTFY

I've always maintained that the time to buy a bargain is when you don't need it - because when you DO need it, it won't be a bargain.

Thanks John but no, I would be looking for four and a quarter ie. £4250 OR I could sell the lathe for £3k and part out all the accessories for another £1.5k. Yer pays yer money...............

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Thanks John but no, I would be looking for four and a quarter ie. £4250 OR I could sell the lathe for £3k and part out all the accessories for another £1.5k. Yer pays yer money...............

So if someone offered you (say) £6k you'd send them on their way empty-handed?
(Sorry, only messing with you.... )

 

[RobCox]

So your machine is straight you just need a headstock to split.

Yes, my M300 isn't too bad - wear on the bedways near the chuck causing it to turn about 1/2 thou taper there, 6 inches out from the chuck it turns true. Gears look good, everything else works as I've had it to bits (literally) and fixed all the age-related issues. Its just a bit sketchy parting off, keen to chatter, and I really hate running it really slow as when something goes wrong you've got about a millisecond before is snaps the tool without hesitation. For 1 inch stock and below I run 2mm GTN inserts at 800rpm which seems to work like a charm - the speed gets above rather than below the resonant frequency so no chatter.

If there's a scrap headstock for sale I'd be interested.

 

[northwest]

For 1 inch stock and below I run 2mm GTN inserts at 800rpm which seems to work like a charm

You wouldn't have the part number/stovck code to hand would you? A link would be great.

Thanks.

 

[RobCox]

I bought the inserts and blade from jbcuttingtools.com, but they took an extended break late last year and their website hasn't reappeared since. The inserts are GTN-2 in a 32mm double ended blade. I think they sold a lot of Korloy inserts which worked well for an amateur like me, not Iscar prices but more reliable quality than no name chinesium.
When the parting inserts start to go off I put them in an old holder and grind the front face on a CBN wheel which leaves them razor sharp and they cut with less pressure than new.

 

[northwest]

JB cutting tools, I think one of my pals said they were having some issues, did they used to frequent some of the model makers shows?

Jenny and her husband Brian went to ALL the shows, she s really knowledgeable when it comes to cutting tools and I used to buy a lot from here. I think her son was making the cutting tools that they sold as their own brand and he was going to stop doing it. Really good some of them are too. Some quite specialised like internal grooving.

Shame really as I always enjoyed a good chat.

 

[RobCox]

And then some. Big shout out to @bR39Da for putting me in touch with someone who can obtain a used but vgc gamet spindle bearing for a much more reasonable price than a new one!
Small world, turns out the guy who can obtain this is the same one I bought my dividing head and surface plate off 3 yrs ago!