checking your oil

[Tom Buchanan]

noticed a small puddle of oil under the gearbox of my pos bandsaw.i wanted to use it,but wasn't sure how much was left in it.like some others here,i've got mine mounted upright,completly did away with the lower base.after i pulled the plate off the gearbox and cleaned up the mess,i got real creative.I drilled a 1/2 in hole close to the top of the plate,and got one of those little rubber snap caps to put in it.this is for putting oil in if I have anymore trouble.then I drilled a 7/32 hole in the top of the gearbox itself,and tapped it for a 1/4 x20 bolt.a piece of wire is the dipstick.now i can see how much is in this thing without taking it all apart.oh yeah,used good silicone gasket stuff to replace the old gasket,and put 1/4x20 bolts back in.(they fit)