F&W Star 37 Questions

[RPinAZ]

Kenneth, I've found your posts and have read them over to the point where I about have it committed to memory. I think I'm good to go but will probably have more questions once I get into it.
Thanks again

-RP

[mtblah]

Windy , you really are needed !

[windybob]

I enjoy helping. Thanks.

[RPinAZ]

I got most of the rust off of the upper turntable race and as you can see, there's a lot of divots from the balls. What would cause this on just one side? Tower wasn't level or something causing the gearbox to be out of balance - or just the nature of the beast?

Anyway, I'm going to fixture it on a faceplate on the lathe and see if I can true it up so that it'll turn smoothly.

-RP

[windybob]

If those are anything like Dempster turntables, they are hardened cast. Very difficult to machine.

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Be careful turning turning down that bearing plate if you go to far the two plates might rub together. Just my thought !!

[CTXmiller]

Prevailing wind might cause more wear on one side…that is my theory.

[RPinAZ]

I'll know in a few minutes. I can turn the lips down a little as well to make sure that the only metal to metal contact is ball on race. If worse comes to worse, I'll get a new one but I figured it may be worth a try to save this one.

Thanks all
-RP

[windybob]

It is very common for Dempster turntables to drag. The bottom cup can be trimmed 1/8 or 3/16 to relieve the problem. If you decide to trim the lower part, if it's a cup, don't forget the inside circle also.

[RPinAZ]

Well, it seemed to turn ok. The ball seat shaved off pretty easy. I pecked away at it with a button insert until most of the divots were gone and I had a good fit with a radius gage. I did shave some off from the inner lip but man oh man it was some hard stuff. I was using a carbide button insert and it was producing purple shavings and a few sparks but I managed to shave about about a sixteenth off. It left a mirror finish on cast, so it was pretty hard. When I put it together with the ball bearings I've got about an eighth inch clearance on the inner edges and a little less on the outer edge and it turns nice and smooth now. If I put some downward pressure on the outer edge of the upper race, I can get it to wobble a little bit, but I imagine that's what the centering spider/storm stay is supposed to prevent.

-RP