New surface grinder...many questions.

R.Markus

R.Markus

Joined
Sep 17, 2000
Messages
279
I picked up a Leach 6X12 surface grinder last week. I finally have some time to get out to put it back together (just took it off the base and took the chuck and cross slides off to transport it).

I was drawn to this one for it's small size, despite never having heard of the company. Plus it has a 1HP single phase motor on it so I don't have to mess with a converter for three phase.

I was just out in the garage looking at it and it really hit me that I don't really know anything about surface grinders. It has small oil cups on the slides, spindle, and a few other places. Are these supposed to be kept full or how do you know you have enough lubricant? Also, what are you all using on yours for way oil? The one I see mentioned most is Mobil Vactra 2.

Also, what spindle oil should I use?

This machine has no manual, part number that I can find, and there is no information on the net that I can find about it other than a few others that were for sale. That leaves me with no manufacturer recommendations for viscosity, so I was hoping someone on here could help.

The only thing I could find about Leach is they didn't actually make machines, they re-badged them.

Also, does anyone recommend a decent inexpensive diamond dresser (and holder)?

mag slide.jpgleach grinder.jpg
 
To me it looks like an Asian import reproduction of a

BOYAR SCHULTZ
or
HARIG 612 SURFACE GRINDER

Those are old machines and those search terms should get you lots of info including manuals
Or see Grizzly tools, they write pretty good manuals

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=4859

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/2804/4859.pdf




http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2682&tab=3

Plus see the thread Patrice Lemee has started, Don Hanson has a photo of the wheel he uses.
 
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Thank you for the information. I figured it was a rebadged import after I did some looking around (although I'll admit I thought it was an old US made machine when I bought it due to the plate on the front). That manual should help a lot.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
IIRC, Leach built the Reid line of surface grinders.
Click to expand...

I looked up Reid. I couldn't find a photo of their 6X12, but their 6X18 has the same solid wheels/handles as my Leach does.

Unlike the Harig or Boyer Schultz, mine has no automatic oiler. The oil cups around the machine just have holes drilled through to where the oil runs directly down onto the mating surface that needs to be lubricated. There are grooves cut into the rails on the chuck and cross slides to hold and help distribute oil.
 
I ordered Mobil Vactra 2 and Mobil light spindle oil. I got it back together and running.

I spent yesterday just getting used to it on a scrap piece of 0-1. A little later I out my Starrett rule across the chuck only to find that it isn't flat (from front to back, but it is from end to end). The rule wobbles and I can see light under the rule on each end.

I dressed the wheel and ground the chuck as little as possible only to end up with the same thing. I then took the chuck off and made sure the base of it and the are on the slide where it mounts are both flat, which they are.

Here is a pretty bad picture of the issue...

unevenchuck-M.jpg


I check the cross slide table for play to see if it's moving up or down as I feed it, but didn't really notice anything. I'm not sure where to start looking for the issue.
 
You might pick up some information on surface grinders from that WIP that Pat is doing in this forum. Frank
 
I'm following that one closely.

Still waiting for him to do a little more grinding and hear what he has to say about anything he had to tweak or fix.
 
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