Tick from headstock

[jmoore65]

I was turning some pens this weekend, and noticed that at slow speeds (A-Dish), I'm getting 'clicks' from the headstock.

I can also generate the clicks by rotating the motor by hand. About every 1/3 turn I get a small 'click'.

I oiled the sheeves and lubed the speed control mechanism - to no avail.

I do notice that it sounds like it is coming from the top rear of the headstock (SPT connector area).

Is this a normal operating sound or do I need to track this down and fix it?

Thanks,

Jim

[billmayo]

I need to know the for each motor rotation, how many times did the idler and drive sleeve shafts rotate and when did the tick(s) occur. Remove the 2 belt cover screws and slide the belt cover to the end. You may need to slide the headstock in the opposite direction to have room. Try changing the speed control for a 1:1 relationship between the motor and idler shaft and listen for how many times you hear the tick. If the tick is not heard on some rotations, change the speed control for a 1:1 with the quill shaft/drive sleeve assembly. Again, listen for the tick and its relationship to the motor rotation. Most ticks are in the bearings. If you just redid the tension on your Poly-V/Gilmer belt, I would loosen the belt just a mite and check again. I use a long skinny screwdrive with the handle at my ear and check various locations with the tip while creating the tick to determine where it originates from.

To be sure sometimes, I attach the 6" lathe face plate on the drive sleeve end and the 3 3/4" lathe face plate on the idler shaft. While rotating one of the plates, put pressure/resistence on the motor sheave. Often, I can feel the tick along with hearing it. I do motor/idler shaft, motor/drive sleeve and idler shaft/drive sleeve turning one and putting resistance on the other while listening for when the tick occurs.

I normally repair/rebuild headstocks only when the noise gets much louder than ticks and live with most ticks that do not get worse.

Let us know what you find.

Bill Mayo

I was turning some pens this weekend, and noticed that at slow speeds (A-Dish), I'm getting 'ticks' from the headstock.

I can also generate the ticks by rotating the motor by hand. About every 1/3 turn I get a small 'tick'.

I oiled the sheeves and lubed the speed control mechanism - to no avail.

I do notice that it sounds like it is coming from the top rear of the headstock (SPT connector area).

Is this a normal operating sound or do I need to track this down and fix it?

Thanks,

Jim

[nuhobby]

Jim,

I turned a pen a few days ago and I heard a tick-noise toward the end (with the machinery warmed up) that matches your description. My unit is only a bit over 1 year old, so I think it's likely not something to worry about. If I'm not mistaken, the noise was quieter on a cold-start some days later.

To this day I wonder how so many machines can work over such a gamut of temperatures with as few complaints as we are accustomed to...

I will refer back to Bill's excellent advise should I find more noise, but as I say I think the cool-off brought things back to a more quiet state.

Best Regards,

[jmoore65]

I was able to do more investigation today.

I loosened the gilmer belt and the clicks (louder than ticks) went away.

I tightened the gilmer belt and the clicks returned.

I turned the quill with a 3" lathe faceplate and got 1-2 clicks per revolution.

Jim

[billmayo]

The idler shaft turns approx 1.6 times for each rotation of the quill. It sounds like a bearing problem on the idler shaft. The shaft and bearing are a complete unit. Did you still have the motor belt connected? Do you have an access hole under the Logo cover on your headstock? The Logo cover does not snap off on most 50s headstock. Do you have a solid eccentric bushing or a one cut (split) at the top for adjusting the belt? If you have a set screw in the eccentric bushing, setting it too tight will cause a tick/click. Loosen the eccentric bushing with the adjusting slot at the bottom and check for the set screw. If the eccentric bushing is split at the top, Over tightening the bolt that prevents the eccentric bushing from moving can cause a click. Only 20-30 inch-pounds is needed. not foot-pounds.

If you have no access hole in the headstock, you may have to disassembly the headstock if you want to eliminate the click. If it does not get louder, I would live with it. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Bill Mayo

I was able to do more investigation today.

I loosened the gilmer belt and the clicks (louder than ticks) went away.

I tightened the gilmer belt and the clicks returned.

I turned the quill with a 3" lathe faceplate and got 1-2 clicks per revolution.

Jim

[nuhobby]

Bill,

Thanks for a nice quantitative tip on the torque. This gave me an excuse to pick up a 1/4"-drive mini torque-wrench at NAPA today.

We all appreciate your hard-won tips of the trade.