On 14 Jan 2008 01:11:06 GMT, Dave Hinz wrote:

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:57:28 -0500, Bob Engelhardt wrote:

Even with the rust removed, the gears will be very rough and wear
quickly, but:
- it would get very little use (maybe an hour or two per year)
- the transmission runs at fairly low speed (900 rpm max input, down to
maybe 50 rpm on the wheels)
- it only handles 5 hp
http://home.comcast.net/~bobengelhardt/RustedGear.jpg
Waddaya think?

I'd run it as is. Worst case you're without a machine if it breaks. If
you toss it now, you're out a machine regardless. All you're out is
reassembly time and a few bucks worth of gear lube. The pitting is
pretty fugly but, the high spots will wear off down to the point where
there's enough contact to handle the load. You'll have a bit more lash
in the geartrain than spec but, like you say, low duty cycle, low load.
And it's low risk, it's not like you're fixing an airplane or
something... When it blows, I don't think it'll be from pits on the
gears.


I just "fixed" an elderly Milwaukee right angle Hole Hawg. Thing had
the power cord amputated at the handle, the trigger switch was cracked
into 2 pieces (JB Weld) and the reduction gears and bearings were
rusted into an amorphous mass. Found head down in a 5 gallon
bucket...under an eve.

I left it soaking head down..in a bucket of diesel for a couple weeks,
then hammered the gear cover off and the gears apart. All them needle
bearings...mass of rust. Wire wheeled the gears until I could see the
teeth again, soaked the head in PBlaster for another week, then
reassembled it. Sounds like a coffee can filled with #3 granite..but
since its only going to drill a few holes a year...I can live with it.
I shudder to think of what Milwaulkee will want for a complete bearing
package..and the armature needs a turning... so when it goes..it goes
into the circular file. But I figure the tired old bitch will smooth
out a little bit and then run for a few more years.

Gunner