I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder that is only
used about two hours a year, but it occasionally fills need that nothing
else will perform. It could be 50 years old. Both x, y, and z feeds are
manual. It is fitted with a Brown & Sharpe magnetic chuck. Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light 0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even find
the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced wheels".
Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding wheel?
Thanks, Dave Anderson

David Anderson wrote:

I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder that is only
used about two hours a year, but it occasionally fills need that nothing
else will perform. It could be 50 years old. Both x, y, and z feeds are
manual. It is fitted with a Brown & Sharpe magnetic chuck. Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light 0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even find
the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced wheels".
Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding wheel?
Thanks, Dave Anderson



First of all, if you use coolant make sure you let the wheel run out
before you turn it off. If you let coolant on the wheel and dont let it
all spin off you will make a heavy side when the stuff runs down and
gathers on one side.

Check your belts.

True you wheel with a diamond stone. Rotate the stone so you have a
good edge on it.


John

Is the lube system working? particularly the spindle. If belt driven,
are the belts in good shape?
When did you last dress the wheel? I'd dress it before every use.
I'm no expert, but when you put on a new wheel, you HAVE to dress it to
true it up.
What's the material you are cutting? Try the same material you used
the last time it worked okay. Don't expect the same quality of
results if the wheel doesn't match the material.
Two thousandths is NOT a light cut! Try some 1/2 thou cuts. or even less.

Pete Stanaitis
---------------------------

David Anderson wrote:
I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder that is only
used about two hours a year, but it occasionally fills need that nothing
else will perform. It could be 50 years old. Both x, y, and z feeds are
manual. It is fitted with a Brown & Sharpe magnetic chuck. Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light 0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even find
the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced wheels".
Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding wheel?
Thanks, Dave Anderson

The spindle bearing is an adjustable taper on those grinders from what I
remember. It is possible that someone did not set the bearing right.

Tony

"David Anderson" wrote in message
...
I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder that is only
used about two hours a year, but it occasionally fills need that nothing
else will perform. It could be 50 years old. Both x, y, and z feeds are
manual. It is fitted with a Brown & Sharpe magnetic chuck. Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light 0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even
find the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced
wheels". Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding
wheel? Thanks, Dave Anderson

"David Anderson" wrote in message
...
I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder that is only
used about two hours a year, but it occasionally fills need that nothing
else will perform. It could be 50 years old. Both x, y, and z feeds are
manual. It is fitted with a Brown & Sharpe magnetic chuck. Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light
0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even
find
the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced wheels".
Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding wheel?
Thanks, Dave Anderson



A couple thoughts: First, a 0.002 cut is pretty heavy. Try something on
the
order of 0.0002 to 0.0005. Second, dress the wheel with a diamond dresser
and take off a fairly substantial amount so as to give the wheel a new,
sharp,
clean surface all the way around. Finally, if the machine doesn't have a
coolant system, brush the work with some WD-40 or even wax the wheel.

Jerry

On Aug 27, 5:47 pm, "David Anderson"
wrote:
I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder ...
...Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light 0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even find
the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced wheels".
Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding wheel?
Thanks, Dave Anderson

http://www.metalworking.com/dropbox/...structions.pdf

I don't believe they are capable of the smoothness of a normal surface
grinder due to flex in the bolt-on round column that supports the
swivel head. Mine only gives a smooth ripple-free finish if I feed it
one division (0.0005") or less and turn the Y feed slowly so left and
right passes are slightly diagonal to break up the self-reinforcing
washboard-road effect.

Jim Wilkins

Thanks to all respondents to my question, especially to Jim Wilkins who
added a link to download the original Rockwell Operating and Maintenance
Instructions (6 pages). I tried the first suggestion to dress the wheel
with a diamond tip, and the finish improved 200% with no washboard. I will
study the manufacturers pages for additional help. Again, thank you all.
David Anderson, Cedar Hill, TX

"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Aug 27, 5:47 pm, "David Anderson"
wrote:
I own an ancient Delta-Milwaukee "Toolmaker" surface grinder ...
...Lately, after
months of idleness, the surface finish after taking only a light
0.002-inch
pass is terrible. I have no operating manual or parts book; can't even
find
the serial number.. The brass nameplate says "Only use balanced wheels".
Any suggestions as to a remedy, and who can balance a grinding wheel?
Thanks, Dave Anderson

http://www.metalworking.com/dropbox/...structions.pdf

I don't believe they are capable of the smoothness of a normal surface
grinder due to flex in the bolt-on round column that supports the
swivel head. Mine only gives a smooth ripple-free finish if I feed it
one division (0.0005") or less and turn the Y feed slowly so left and
right passes are slightly diagonal to break up the self-reinforcing
washboard-road effect.

Jim Wilkins