HSD Spindle Repair Video

[gerryv]

I'm going to be ordering a new spindle because of bearing problems with my current HSD 4HP spindle.

Once the new one is setup I'd like to try a repair on the existing one. The plan would be to do it in a quasi clean room with a multi cam HD video setup and document the whole procedure so that I could share the results, good, bad or somewhere in between.

Recognizing that these are considered disposable by HSD but that repairs are routinely done on the bigger units and recognizing that exceptional care needs to be taken a proper tools used in the process...

Is there anyone on the forum who has actually undertaken a repair on an HSD 4HP or 2.2HP unit who might be willing to offer some experience and knowledge?

[scottp55]

Columbo, but worth reading.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1688&highlight=spindle+repair

[gerryv]

Yes, a good read for sure Scott, thanks. I may try some other forums as well to see if I can track down anyone who's rebuilt an HSD 2.2 or 4 HP. There are a lot of fellows whom, I'm sure, would be interested in if it can be done.

[Sk8MFG]

I'd be interested in seeing your results as well, I have an 'extra' spindle which was graciously included by the previous owner.

[Brady Watson]

After rebuilding the Colombo - I'm not sure I would do it again. You better have a good selection of tools for disassembly and sharp mechanical skills. There will be some head scratching for sure if it comes apart anything like mine did. Luckily I had a good friend who does motor repair for a living assisting me along the way. There are things that unscrew that you wouldn't believe unscrewed & little 'secret squirrel' tricks when it comes to the rebuild. In hindsight, I think that only the top bearing was bad, which was an ABEC7 version of a GM alternator bearing (6202 I believe) - which was the culprit for being noisy. The lower bearings looked fine (no galling) and I could not perceive any run-out or end play with a Mitutoyo dial indicator. That said, you might want to step back a little and decide if it is really worth the effort.

I'm not posting to discourage you - just that I am not sure that it makes sense to rebuild the cheapest spindles in HSD's lineup. For $500+ in bearings you can just go get a NEW Chinese spindle AND VFD shipped to your house - and get back to the act of machining & playing with your CNC.

-B

[gerryv]

I hear you Brady. That's my biggest concern - the unexpected gotchas. I'm always very careful to take step-by-step pics or even videos of anything I disassemble but that still doesn't help much when you hear that awful sound of something unexpected and unseen by me or the cameras going clinkedy-clink on the floor. My new spindle arrived today so a lot will depend on whether the original owner (who is paying half) decides to take the semi-broken one back or accept the $200 off his share that I've offered him. Then it's up to me to run with a dying backup or take the risk. No easy answer.