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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: rmonks on February 10, 2013, 11:03:07 PM

Title: grease for center shaft
Post by: rmonks on February 10, 2013, 11:03:07 PM
I had a little time to investigate something on my M&R Gauntlet today that I  have been curious about. Grease getting  to the center shaft. My press has two copper tubes that extend from the main ring where the platten arms attach and they extend  to the center of the press and there these tubes are attached to a fitting that enters the center of the shaft there are two grease certs on the outer end of these tubes and the and grease has to be pumped from a grease gun and travel  2.5 to 3 ft. through a  1/4 copper tube to reach the center shaft. I disconnected the fitting at the center shaft to see if grease comes out while I pump the grease gun. NONE came out, it could be because it is cold in my shop but I removed the fittings and put a grease cert directly into the center shaft. It is getting grease now. If you have an M&R with this method of greasing your center shaft you may want to check and make sure grease is making the journey.
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: mk162 on February 11, 2013, 08:40:33 AM
i pump until I see it squeezing out of the bearings, and then wipe the excess off
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: 244 on February 11, 2013, 10:28:45 AM
I had a little time to investigate something on my M&R Gauntlet today that I  have been curious about. Grease getting  to the center shaft. My press has two copper tubes that extend from the main ring where the platten arms attach and they extend  to the center of the press and there these tubes are attached to a fitting that enters the center of the shaft there are two grease certs on the outer end of these tubes and the and grease has to be pumped from a grease gun and travel  2.5 to 3 ft. through a  1/4 copper tube to reach the center shaft. I disconnected the fitting at the center shaft to see if grease comes out while I pump the grease gun. NONE came out, it could be because it is cold in my shop but I removed the fittings and put a grease cert directly into the center shaft. It is getting grease now. If you have an M&R with this method of greasing your center shaft you may want to check and make sure grease is making the journey.
This cannot be due to cold if you are using the proper grease or actually any grease. The copper tubes are just a means to help you reach the center. Unless they were crimped or damaged this should not happen. It is possible that the grease gun you are using was not primed or defective but you should see some grease coming out at the center bushing and feel some pressure on the grease gun handle if everything is correct. Just a FYI.
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: inkman996 on February 11, 2013, 11:46:24 AM
It sounds like someone over the years did not fully grease the line, took it for granted a few squeezes does the trick. On any grease line you have to pump till you can confirm you got grease in the system then you need to keep it primed so you only need to pump a few times when needed.

Like Rich said it might have a crimp in the line or you just need to pump it till its all primed up.
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: rmonks on February 11, 2013, 12:14:59 PM
It sounds like someone over the years did not fully grease the line, took it for granted a few squeezes does the trick. On any grease line you have to pump till you can confirm you got grease in the system then you need to keep it primed so you only need to pump a few times when needed.

Like Rich said it might have a crimp in the line or you just need to pump it till its all primed up.
No the lines are not damaged. I think my grease gun is weak. I am getting ready to buy an air activated grease gun and order some grease from M&R just to make sure I use the correct grease.
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: 244 on February 11, 2013, 02:12:00 PM
It sounds like someone over the years did not fully grease the line, took it for granted a few squeezes does the trick. On any grease line you have to pump till you can confirm you got grease in the system then you need to keep it primed so you only need to pump a few times when needed.

Like Rich said it might have a crimp in the line or you just need to pump it till its all primed up.
No the lines are not damaged. I think my grease gun is weak. I am getting ready to buy an air activated grease gun and order some grease from M&R just to make sure I use the correct grease.
You should not need an air operated gun to grease this machine. That is a lot of money for a simple task. Just buy a decent quality manual grease gun.
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: Frog on February 11, 2013, 02:36:37 PM
my thought was that old crappy grease or contaminants are merely clogging the tube.
Title: Re: grease for center shaft
Post by: Baron265 on February 11, 2013, 02:38:04 PM
Since you have the tube off, try cleaning it (with mineral spirits or gas) to be sure there's no obstruction. Then, fill the tube with grease while it's still off the machine. You'll know the tube it completely filled/ primed. Then install the tube on the press and follow the recommended procedure.