Lathe Cleaning:

A new lathe must be cleaned first from the protective layer of grease and properly lubricated before placed in service.Please take the time to read the operating manual that Optimum Machines provides with OptiD180 (PDF file available at download page).  In case that you don’t fully understand the instructions or if you need further guidance you can contact with Optimum Machines customer support service. They were very helpful when I had questions, so don’t hesitate to e-mail them.

 lathe Disassembly

Remove the tool holder and the top slide first and place them to a clean shelf next to your lathe that has enough space for all the parts that you will remove.

Advance the cross slide until it is released from the compound. Place the one hand under the cross slide to prevent the gib and the swivel from falling and pull it out.

Remove the apron from the saddle.

Loosen slightly the six adjusting screws and drive the saddle across the ways and out of the bed.

Remove the protective cover from the lead screw’s hanger. Hold the fixing nut with a wrench and loosen the set screw. Remove the fixing nut.

Remove the lead screw hanger bearing.

Drive the apron out of the lead screw.

Loosen the change gear gib.

Remove the gears.

Remove the gear gib the sliding blocks and the collar spacer.

Remove the lead screw.

Remove the quill and the hand wheel from the tail stock.

Remove the grease and the oil that used to prevent the lathe from rusting in transit with a stiff brash and kerosene. The lathe and all parts should be wiped thoroughly with a clean cloth.

Lathe Assembly and Lubrication

Apply a good amount of grease to slide gears and lubricate all strip metal surfaces with machine oil .

Clean first and then apply a good amount of grease to the lead screw hanger.

Set the lead screw back in place. Alternatively you can install the saddle and the apron first.

Slide back the apron and use some sort of support underneath.

Apply grease at the and of the lead screw and lubricate the strip metal surface beneath the lead screw hanger.

Clean first and then apply a good amount of grease to the lead screw’s bearings. Set the hanger back in place.

Tighten the hex nut gently by holding with the one hand the other side of the lead screw.  Rotate the lead screw and make certain that moves freely. Tighten the set screw. Temporarily you can use one gear for assistance.

Lubricate all strip metal surfaces of the saddle and apply a good amount of sae 30 oil to surfaces that comes in contact with the ways.

Lubricate the ways with sae 30 or sae 20W(iso 68) oil.

Drive the saddle back in place. Tighten the six set screws. Travel the saddle across the ways to make certain that it moves freely. Apply some pressure and try to rise the saddle from the bed by hand. The saddle should be free to move but without the slightest amount of play.

Join the apron with the saddle but do not tighten the screws.

Move the carriage in the middle of the bed. The screws that joining the saddle with the apron must be slightly loosen. Lock the half nut and position the apron in such a way as to prevent the lead screw from bending. When you find the right spot tighten the apron to the saddle.

Check if the half nut moves the lead screw up or down also. If so adjust the gib accordingly.

Lubricate the carriage ways with sae 30 oil and the spindle with motorcycle chain grease.

Lubricate the cross slide.