Fobco Star Questions

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Fobco Star Questions

This topic has 15 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 26 September 2024 at 15:14 by Ian P.

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17 September 2024 at 17:05 #754073
manycrumbs
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@manycrumbs
I’ve recently acquired a Fobco Star and have a few questions that I’m hoping for help with.

1.) The grease nipple on the front of the drill is at an angle and the threads in the hole don’t seem to be cut far enough to allow it to thread all the way home to the nut. Is this likely to be an issue, or best left alone?

2.) Can anyone identify the make of the chuck? Google isn’t getting me very far. Also, if anyone has any chuck disassembly guidance that would be appreciated! (Is it likely to be similar to disassembling a Jacobs?)

3.) I notice in this image (from the Lathes.co.uk website) that there are spacers/washers on the pillar between the table and the base etc. Currently, mine doesn’t have these — should it? Is it worth adding some? If so, what material would be best?

Apologies if these questions have been addressed elsewhere, I didn’t have much luck searching for them, or if I’ve posted in the wrong place.
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17 September 2024 at 17:33 #754074
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
to me the nipple does not look like its square with the hole, also grease nipple threads are all very close to one another so could be wrong rate. The washers look like a fancy extra in leather, I suppose it would stop the table baging on to the base or the motor hitting the collar. Never seen that done before.
17 September 2024 at 17:35 #754078
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
If the oil nipple leaks apply some plumbers ptfe tape.
Is the chuck faulty? It is very rare indeed to actually take one apart.
The washers are either someone putting felt on to stop chips getting into the gap or sleeves to make up for a worn casting.
17 September 2024 at 20:21 #754101
Clive Brown 1
Participant
@clivebrown1
The nipple should screw in fully, but I doubt if the one shown will cause a problem.

The spacers / washers appear to be non-standard. I can’t see them being sleeves unless the upper one is different from the lower ones. My Fobco has a large rubber washer on the quill to act as a buffer below the head casting.

Unless you can get spares for the chuck, there would seem little point in dismantling it I’d have thought.
17 September 2024 at 20:22 #754106
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
There are many threads use for oil nipples. If need be a larger thread could be used, 5/16″ UNF or BSF, 3/8″ UNF, 1/8 ” gas thread/pipe or 6mmx1, 8mmx1 or 10mmx1. Noel.
18 September 2024 at 10:25 #754148
Macolm
Participant
@macolm
The chuck looks like a low cost hobby item, outer spun over for assembly, and not able to be dismantled.
18 September 2024 at 19:15 #754173
Dave Halford
Participant
@davehalford22513
The one on ‘Lathes’ is the mini miller version yours has a JT6 taper for a drilling chuck of which there are loads new on Ebay.
19 September 2024 at 15:21 #754354
manycrumbs
Participant
@manycrumbs
Thank you all!

I’d not considered PTFE tape around the grease nipple if it leaks, that seems like a far less risky option than trying to re-drill/re-tap the hole. I’ll go for that if I see signs of it leaking.

The chuck has one jaw that doesn’t quite align to the other two, so I was wondering if disassembly might reveal why and allow me to even it up. I think I’ll leave the chuck alone for now and simply replace it when need/funds allow.

Nice to know that I’m not missing washers that should be there!
19 September 2024 at 17:59 #754368
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
That nipple looks more like one for oil rather than a grease nipple

Beware of using grease where oil should be used, it will clog the passage so that the bearing gets no lubrication.

Have you got a manual? If YES, what does it advise?

Howard
19 September 2024 at 18:18 #754375
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Some useful photos on another forum:

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/fobco-1-2-cap-drill-restoration.70615/

MichaelG.
26 September 2024 at 10:30 #755917
manycrumbs
Participant
@manycrumbs
I’ve no manual for it (from what I’ve read online, there never was one), but the information plate on the side of it says to ‘Lubricate Pulley & Quill Bearings with Shell Livona Grease 3 or Alvania Grease R2’.
26 September 2024 at 10:36 #755919
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
On 26 September 2024 at 10:30 manycrumbs Said:

[…] the information plate on the side of it says to ‘Lubricate Pulley & Quill Bearings with Shell Livona Grease 3 or Alvania Grease R2’.

That’s pretty definitive !

… so let’s not have too much speculation.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: Cross-references abound … this is just one collection:

https://petroleumservicecompany.com/shell-lubricants-cross-reference/
26 September 2024 at 11:55 #755945
Hopper
Participant
@hopper
Any modern wheel bearing grease should do the job.
26 September 2024 at 14:12 #755969
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
On 26 September 2024 at 11:55 Hopper Said:

Any modern wheel bearing grease should do the job.

Will it be ok if its not very modern? 😀

Ian P
26 September 2024 at 14:20 #755971
manycrumbs
Participant
@manycrumbs
On 26 September 2024 at 14:12 Ian P Said:

On 26 September 2024 at 11:55 Hopper Said:

Any modern wheel bearing grease should do the job.

Will it be ok if its not very modern? 😀

Ian P

Not very modern, hey? Reusing the grease from my car wheel bearing is more work than I’m willing to do, but each to their own!
26 September 2024 at 15:14 #755993
Ian P
Participant
@ianp
Well I’m still using (but not for wheel bearings) a tin of BMC branded, Copper loaded Grease that I bought in 1965 from Lookers in Manchester when I had a Mini Cooper S

Ian P
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