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Motor Lubrication Questions? - Craftsman 113.12790

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I'm restoring an old Craftsman lathe and I have a few questions about lubing the motor. It's a Craftsman model # 113.12790 electric motor (see the first picture for details from the spec plate). There are two oil ports, one on each end. I lubed the first one and all seemed fine. I then lubed the second port and discovered oil leaking out. I found a grainy picture of the parts diagram on Sears Parts Direct (second picture). However, I'm not sure what part to replace to stop the leak. Pictures 3 and 4 are of the leaking end. Does anyone know how to prevent this oil leak? I'm at a standstill with this project until I can reassemble the motor.

 

20240908_192714.jpg.fa64234c9ad571bbac87ce42351805c9.jpgPartsDiagram113.12790.jpg.e4cb71915136c8c555bb2e83dfadd263.jpg

20240912_110350.jpg.a8e0dff35407e1c75a2e21f8fdc682ac.jpg20240912_110322.jpg.294665bd68d1427fe6a37be7587b5205.jpg

Looks to me like the motor has pressed in babbit bearings.  The bearing in the bottom photo looks to be in pieces.  I would opt for a new motor.

I looked at the parts breakdown on the Sears Parts Direct site and in your bottom picture. It could be that this part

 

20240912_110322.jpg.294665bd68d1427fe6a37be7587b5205.jpg

 

is a rubber washer out of place. According to the diagram, there is another one on the "inside of the housing. Maybe these are worn enough to allow the oil to seep out. They are no longer available. Possibly a little garage engineering by prying off Part#15???

  • Author

@Ron Dudelston - You're killing me, Smalls! :lol:  This is where I throw a 2-year-old tantrum and scream "But I don't wanna buy a new motor!!!". :BangingHead: 

@lew - I may try taking it apart and seeing what I get. I really don't want to have to replace the motor.

 

When I bought this lathe it would run, but the start capacitor seemed like it needed replacing. It came with 18 knives, an extra motor, and a table, all for $75! The extra motor, however, is double the RPM speed. That poses another major problem. I initially got this just to see if I would enjoy/be any good at turning. I might have to try sealing the bearing in somehow. We'll see how it goes.

1 hour ago, Drumone said:

The extra motor, however, is double the RPM speed.

 

If you reduce the motor pulley size by half that will bring the lathe speed down to normal.

I think you are right.  I was seeing that as a broken bushing.  It’s probably a felt washer.

  • Author

Craftsman 113.238160

  • Author
2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

If you reduce the motor pulley size by half that will bring the lathe speed down to normal.

I read that somewhere, recently. However, it's a triple pulley on the motor. I figured it would be very difficult to find one that would be right for all three. Not to mention trying to figure out how to do the measurements. Plus, I don't even know if the extra motor works properly. I haven't tested it yet.

1 hour ago, Drumone said:

Craftsman 113.238160

My first lathe was virtually identical to that one. Mine was a Bridgewood. I sold it for $75, too, along with most of the tool set that came with it.

 

If you don't have it, here's the link to the manual-

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/486586/Craftsman-113-23800.html#manual

 

If you are looking for a chuck for it, you'll probably need an adapter as the Craftsman is more than likely 3/4" x 16tpi

  • Author

Thanks @lew. I find a lot of my manuals through manualslib.com. I think I actually have all the parts for the machine.

 

Update on the lube issue - I reassembled everything taking care to put the washer in place, as mentioned above. I also added a rubber o-ring to the stack on the outside end. So far... it seems to be working. Fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc. and all of the other stuperstitions I don't follow. :D  Considering the age of this machine, plus the fact that I don't know if I'm going to really like turning or not, I figured I can always add a little oil before running the machine each time.

 

Thanks for your help everybody. It's greatly appreciated! All that is left now is to finish cleaning some rust off of a few parts, build the mobile cart for it, and read the two books I have on using lathes/turning wood. Now that I write that, I'm realizing I still have a ways to go yet. :JawDrop:

Please show us your progress as you start down the slippery slope of woodturning :)

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