Time for overhaul on my 10EE - Looking for someone in the PNW to help, no lifting required!

I’ve got a square dial that runs great but was neglected by previous owners and the bed is due for a re-grind. A major undertaking and something I’ve got no experience doing. I can get it apart no problem and back together as well but the alignment of the headstock, saddle and tail stock are all things I’ve not done. I’d love to find someone in the northwest who has some experience with this stuff. I’m in no hurry but it’s bad enough that it bugs the crap out of me to have such a great machine that only turns wobbly cones.

Thanks!

Please pin down your location a bit more. Are you a 10hr drive, a 6 hr drive, or a 30minute drive from, say, Portland, OR, or Seattle, WA? If you asking someone to come work on your machine (presumably for free), they need to know if it's practical or a PITA to get to your place. Especially since this is not a 4hour once-and-done thing you are asking for, if anything actually needs to be corrected. You *might* have a 4hour check-it-out measurement session, if your new favorite friend brings along a toolchest of precision gear. But identifying and fixing anything that needs fixing is going to need more than one visit to your location, whereever that might be?

Located in city of Seattle and looking for a person who’s willing to spend a bit of time passing on their experience. It’s a hobby machine for sure but I’d like it to be correct. The situation would have to be good for all involved as again it’s not something I’m making money at. If I were I’d not be asking here. Its definitely more than a one shot measurement job as it needs to be re-ground so very local would be best. Heavy wear on the pressure side of the inside surface of the saddle way and 6-7 thou over 3-4” taper is where it’s at now so definitely not great. If nobody is interested I’m good too.

You seem unwilling to spend much on this and I understand but have you had estimates on the cost of grinding?
Bob

Your mechanical skill is at least decent if you are willing to tear down the machine. And if you can zero work in a four jaw chuck, then you can check and align headstock and tailstock yourself.

Tailstock needs an MT2 test bar found on ebay or amazon for maybe $30.

Headstock is Jarno 12, I believe. Miller Machine will make that test bar for in the vicinity of $300. Call Brian Miller at 1 618 946-0793. Leave a message, he'll call back.

Aligning carriage and cross slide for facing cuts takes a little more skill, patience, and tooling to scrape in. But is doable. Headstock and Tail stock alignment will get you a very long way to doing nice work though, even on a wore machine.

bob said:

You seem unwilling to spend much on this and I understand but have you had estimates on the cost of grinding?
Bob

Click to expand...

Bob,

Never said I was unwilling to pay and if that’s what it takes then I guess that’s what’ll happen. I spoke with a local grinder and at the time the guesstimate was around $1000 to do the bed. I could be off by a factor of 100% too!

I’ve had the saddle/apron and transmission off the machine as part if the cleanup process when I purchased it so I’m comfortable with doing the work. I’d like to talke to someone who can guide me through the alignment process. I’ve looked at enough rebuild stories to know the basics of putting the saddle back on but headstock alignment is another matter. If there’s someone local who’s willing to spend a couple Saturday’s getting me going in the right direction I’ll by food and beer and if they need more let’s talk. Also in zero rush.

texasgeartrain said:

Your mechanical skill is at least decent if you are willing to tear down the machine. And if you can zero work in a four jaw chuck, then you can check and align headstock and tailstock yourself.

Tailstock needs an MT2 test bar found on ebay or amazon for maybe $30.

Headstock is Jarno 12, I believe. Miller Machine will make that test bar for in the vicinity of $300. Call Brian Miller at 1 618 946-0793. Leave a message, he'll call back.

Aligning carriage and cross slide for facing cuts takes a little more skill, patience, and tooling to scrape in. But is doable. Headstock and Tail stock alignment will get you a very long way to doing nice work though, even on a wore machine.

Click to expand...

This was exactly my plan. Once the heavy stuff is up to speed I can take my time getting the other parts dialed in. I’m checked out on the four jaw so good to go there.

Thank for the reference on a headstock test bar.

Maybe you should look for someone who knows what their doing and is going through this, travel to their shop to watch and learn.

You have one of the experts on machine alignment in your area: Forrest Addy. Suggest you drop him a PM and see if he can offer some help.