Bearing going out?

[Displaced Canadian]

I have a Rockler Excelsior lathe, it's about 4 years old. It is starting to get a little noisy. The noise seems to be coming from the headstock somewhere between a rumble and a growl. It gets louder when the tool (woodchuck) is in contact with the blank. Not noticing and OOR issues yet. It started in Dec. when it was cold here, and started again tonight. It gets louder the farther away the tool gets from the headstock, it starts to turn into a howl. It's not as loud if nothing is putting pressure on it from the tailstock. Sometimes when I turn it by hand I'll hear a sound like a loose piece of thin metal rubbing on something. Am I loosing a bearing or is it something else? Any ideas?

 

[HoratioHornblower]

If your lathe speed is affected it MIGHT be your bushings. My Dad and I fixed several things on my lathe before we checked the bushings and that was it. The power kept decreasing and in the end it just died. Its just a thought, but it might be worth looking at. Hope you find it soon!

David

 

[Pete275]

I have been told that on the Excelsior there are some set screws in the belt pulleys which have been known to work their way loose. When it happens it mimmicks bad bearings. I'd check those first to see if they are the culprit.

Wayne

 

[widows son]

Loctite

I have been told that on the Excelsior there are some set screws in the belt pulleys which have been known to work their way loose. When it happens it mimmicks bad bearings. I'd check those first to see if they are the culprit.

Wayne

If the screws are loose, you might want to put a drop of Loctite on the threads when you tighten them.