Part one of this series involves removing the table from our Archdale mill to figure out what is up with the oiling system, and why we are experiencing a lack of lubrication to the ways.
We look at the condition of the ways, the reclaimed Bijur oil pump we will be fitting to the mill and begin cleaning 60 years of grime from the machine.
The machine is a 1950s Archdale 18" Production milling machine. It is three phase 415v. These machines have a unique clutch and gearbox mechanism on the side of the mill along with an interesting arrangement for the x-axis power feed.
Also unusual is the x-axis handwheel is directly in front of the operator rather than on the end of the table - ideal for repetitive production work.
The mill has dual imperial & metric dials.
