I posted this question before into a hurricane (as it were) of posts about the gov'ment and New Orleans; normally I wouldn't be so rude as to re-post it but I think it got lost in the flood.
So: I have this Smithy 1/3 in 1 machine, and the milling section has problems with the bearings. They're tapered roller bearings much like those in RWD car's front end, with a funky nut for adjustment, etc. The bearings are TIGHT on the spindle, to the point that tightening the nut won't pull the bearings together. I have no idea of the machine was this way from the factory or if it got that way (there was an episode of hot bearings judging from the bluing on the spindle).
In your valued opinion should I:
- Sand or stone down the spindle diameter until I get a fit that'll allow me to adjust the bearing with the nut? This would be a hand or semi-hand operation, so there'd be some loss of precision but (a) it's a Smithy and (b) it's the top bearing that I'm contemplating messing with.
- Buy new bearings and see how they fit before I mess with the spindle.
- See if I can get a new spindle out of Smithy.