Lubricating table saw arbor bearings

[EveM]

I have a 10inch cabinet saw ( like the older Delta units), and I would like to lubricate the sliding bearing of the arbor mechanism shown in the links below. Can anyone advise the best way to do this, as I cannot locate any grease nipples.

I was thinking of applying a dry lubricant, like CRC Dry Glide, but don’t know if this would be suitable for this type of bearing and the weight associated with it.

The other problem is making sure that all the bearing mating surfaces are covered with the dry lubricant, but this is difficult as there are some sections of the bearings that are never exposed, unless you dismantle the whole arbor

You can see the arbor mechanism with the bearings indicated here

A close up of the front arbor bearing is shown here:

I would welcome any informed comments and expert technical opinions , please

 

[DaveL]

Hi EveM,

Welcome to the forum.

Your pictures have been caught by our spam trap, this will stop happening once you have a few more posts to your name.
Here are your pictures:

Your saw mechanism looks similar to that of my old Wadkin, I used GT85 on it when I had the table off.

I am guessing that you are in Australia, as you talk of a product I have not seen in the UK, up dating your profile to give a hint of you location will help us give better advice, we have some members from Australia. 8)

 

[EveM]

Thanks Dave, will update my profile, but my location is shown. I specified the town and State, but forgot to indicate the Country. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!!

the link to the CRC product is:
http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.nsf/web_brands/Dry+Glide+with+PTFE?openDocument

 

[DaveL]

Eve,

Thanks Dave, will update my profile, but my location is shown. I specified the town and State, but forgot to indicate the Country. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!!

Sorry, not fully with it, too warm for my old brain to function properly.
Here is your link
http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.nsf/web_brands/Dry+Glide+with+PTFE?openDocument

I think that should work well on the saw, I would wind to each end and flood with the lub a couple of times, how I used the GT85 on mine.

 

[9fingers]

Eve,

Just to be picky, the bit you are try to lubricate is called the trunnion. The arbor runs in ball bearings which are lubricated for life and sealed against dust.

The trunnion bearing surfaces are cast iron which has a natural self lubricating action due to the free graphite in the casting. So a little bit of something to prevent any rust - say a smear of grease would be fine. The weight of the mechanism and the movement will be enough to keep sawdust out of the bearing. Your proposed dry PTFE spray is good for the gears that control the blade height and angle.

It is good to see lubrication of a new machine being considered at the outset.

One tip: As soon as you can, set up the 90 and 45 degree stops for the trunnion. They can be difficult to get to on some saws once it is all put together.

Hope you enjoy your new machine.

Bob

 

[Shrubby]

Eve
Dry mountainbike lubes work without attracting debris.

Matt

 

[EveM]

thanks Matt and Bob.

Being a newcomer to a table saw, I appreciate learning about the assembly. So the arbor is the bit where the saw blade bolts, and the trunnion is the part which allows the whole assembly to rotate, which alters the angle of the blade. And I am trying to lubricate the trunnion bearing. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

Thanks for the clue about setting up the stops on the trunnion.

I shall look in to the dry lube used on mountain bikes too

 

[EveM]

Sorry, not fully with it, too warm for my old brain to function properly.

Warm? Warm? In Suffolk?? We are in mid winter here in tropical Nth Qld, min 12 degC, max 27 degC today, a bit on the cool side this morning

 

[DaveL]

Warm? Warm? In Suffolk??

Well yes, it has been a bit warm, today even the LOML said she was too hot :shock:
I have a son who is currently in your part of the world, no doubt he will tell me about hot when he gets back in a few weeks time. :roll: