CL500 servicing and information

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CL500 servicing and information

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 November 2024 at 14:30 by Bazyle.

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11 November 2024 at 12:03 #763822
davehutchings
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@davehutchings
Good morning,

Thankyou for letting me join the group.

I have just purchased a clarke CL500 lathe with drill/mill head. I will be servicing it before I use.

My question are

What oil do you use in the gearbox.

Does anyone have a picture showing the belts under the end cover.

Where is a good place to get a manual and spares.

Thankyou

Dave
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11 November 2024 at 13:06 #763845
Robert Butler
Participant
@robertbutler92161
Dave

If you go to the Chester Hobbystore website you can download a manual for a similar machine.

Robert
11 November 2024 at 13:10 #763847
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
You should find a manual cunningly concealed under the filename

CL430_Metal_Lathe_REV_3.pdf

Paste that filename into a Google search, and witness the magic of t’internet in action.

MichaelG.
13 November 2024 at 12:40 #764192
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
An operator manual for the CL500M is available on line.

And a Spare parts listing also.

The CL430 is the bare lathe version.

There have been posting on the Forum by other CL500 owners; might be worth looking for them.

If you can’t find them, send me a PM with your E mail address, and I’ll send them over.

Howard
13 November 2024 at 12:48 #764195
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
The Operator manual merely says “drops of oil to…..” but does not specify the oil.

If you are talking gearbox, it could be argued that you should use SAE90 gear oil.

I use ordinary motor oil on my lathe and milli/drill, (Not Clarke or similar machines) without any obvious problems, over the last 21 years; but maybe i don’t load them too heavily. (I did spray some heavy duty gear grease onto the changewheels; Gets everywhere!)

HTH

Howard
13 November 2024 at 13:05 #764200
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
On 13 November 2024 at 12:40 Howard Lewis Said:

An operator manual for the CL500M is available on line.[…]

Looks like we’re on the same page this time, Howard

🙂

MichaelG.
13 November 2024 at 13:57 #764211
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
Michael,

That is good As always, we are trying to help.

Howard
13 November 2024 at 14:30 #764216
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
If you are in a large enough town to have industrial support you might find a source of machine oil. Else most people just use motor oil and there are special oils available from some motor factors for ‘vintage’ cars that have fewer additives. Some clubs have a supply of machine oil bought in bulk and sold to club members.
Some of the well known ME suppliers provide ‘way oil’ for slideways in suitable small quantities.
Don’t use grease or thick oil like EP90 unless the manufacturer very specifically requires it. On Changewheels use plain oil, not chain oil or grease because you actually want it to drip off, taking with it the dust and dirt that inevitably heads for these gears.
If you lathe has an enclosed spindle gearbox ie ‘gear head’ type and if it also has a pump use automatic transmission oil because it needs to be thin enough to be pumped, but if no pump use normal oil.
Lots of people get keen on hydraulic oil. Note the name. It is intended to be a non rusting substitute for water for hydraulic rams that can be pumped easily not to lubricate things.

If the manual recommends a specific supplier or oil bear in mind that is only because it was in the last manual they are copying and that was only recommended 30 odd years ago because the sales rep (before internet spoiled the freebies) took the drawing office manager out to lunch.
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