Re: Pot metal bearing removal (ICS Model C)
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:15 pm
I guess I had better chime in on this one. I recently bought a model-D home off eBay where someone in the past had done a sloppy repair of the bearing and mangled everything up in the process. The mandrel is beat up and scratched up as well as the belt pulley being mangled. I've been doing these for years(countless numbers)and have found a pretty good way to get the shaft out without mangling everything up. Loosen and remove all of the screws on the upper belt pulley as well as the feed screw collar at the bearing side of the feed screw. The mandrel is put on with a press fit so by getting a good grip on it and twisting back an forth as well as pulling on it at the same time it should come off with the shaft still being stuck in the bearing. If it is a bit resistant use a couple of drops of penetrating oil to assist in the removal. Then mount your bedplate in a vise taking care to protect the paint with sheet rubber (inner tube rubber will do) and flat pieces of wood. Make sure it is very secure. I then take a quality electric drill with a good strong motor and clamp the shaft in the chuck as you would a drill. Make sure you tighten it very very securely. I would also recommend a couple of drops of penetrating oil at the bearing as well. Then squeeze the trigger on the drill to full and pull hard as the shaft extracts out of the bearing. Some of these are easier than others. I have had them so tight it made the drill motor smoke. If done correctly the shaft will come out and no damage will be done to the shaft in the process. The bearing can then be pressed out or carefully chipped out using a small chisel.