Jones & Shipman Surface Grinder

[James BParticipant @jamesb]

Hi,

 

I have the opportunity to aquire a Jones & Shipman 540 surface grinder for a reasonable price, does anyone have any experience of rebuilding one of these machines?

 

The machine is partially dismantled, but is all there – I know these machines use hydraulics to power the table, if this is not working, can it be serviced easily, or be used without the auto feed?

 

Apart from the fact that I really should finish some other projects first, is there a reason why this machine would not be a good choice?

 

Any pointers gratefully recieved!

 

James

[James BParticipant @jamesb]

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

Hi I have a 540    very good machine well liked by toolmakers and trade shops,hydrauics usual problem is dirty or choked filter in oil tank,the hydraulics do not look to be very complicated,one problem can be air in system after machine left standing ,remedy is to let table operate over full travel for a few minutes ,this is recomended in the handbook.Golden rule with grinders do not strip any part unless it is essential,as it is all too easy to get particles of grit in the works.If you hand feed the table

the slide ways have to be lubricated with oil can as during normal operation there is a bleed off the hydraulics to lubricate the bed ways,under the table there are two pockets which catch oil that drips from the slides,clean these out as they attract airborne grit and can turn the oil in the pockets into a grinding paste and damage the slides.wheel nuts are left hand.A j and s service engineer once told me that lubrication nipple for the cross feed slide hand wheel must not be greased ,it must be oiled,very commom problem cross feed stiff,usual cause filled with grease. The automatic feed has been found to be assembled incorrectly,which can cause the feed too operate when the table reaches one end of its travel,it should operate when the table reaches either end.hope info is of help.  

[Frank DorionParticipant @frankdorion]

Nigel,

 

Thanks for your very helpful comments regarding the J&S 540.  I’ve had one for a while and have always been puzzled by the stiff cross feed in such an otherwise fine machine.  After reading you post, I went down to the shop and disassembled the hand wheel/fine feed assembly and, sure enough, someone had greased it.  It has now been cleaned and oiled, and is working much better.

 

This is  a common problem with Bridgeport mills which are also equipped with zerk fittings (lubrication nipples).  When I got mine, the tables required significant effort to crank.  After replacing the inappropriate grease with way oil, the difference was near miraculous.

 

There is an excellent plan for converting a lever type grease gun to a high pressure oiler at this site: http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/highpressureoiler/highpressureoiler.htm  I made one and it works great – doesn’t leak either.

 

Thanks again.

 

Frank

Edited By Francis Dorion on 15/03/2010 19:13:47

Edited By Francis Dorion on 15/03/2010 19:15:45

Edited By Francis Dorion on 15/03/2010 19:18:44

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