Help, please: Cutter stuck in spindle housing...

[dafinn]

Need some help here again. I purchased this used Scripta SM model pantograph machine. It is in pretty good shape but I don't think it had been used in many years.

I am trying to replace the cutter. I tried to unscrew it from the spindle casing by turning the cutter head and it is frozen into the spindle housing. So I unscrewed the cutter head from the cutter and put some WD40 down the cutter to try and break it loose; I suspect their might be some corrosion that has taken place and it is stuck in the spindle housing.

I also tried GENTLY trying tourn it with vise grips but, no luck.

Anybody have some ideas on how to get the cutter out.

 

[airamp]

Hi,

Try a mixture of acetone and automatic transmission fluid.
Let it soak in and give it a try.
OR maybe a little heat to expand the spindle (but try to avoid this) too much heat could mess up the spindle.(maybe a hair dryer).
airamp

 

[Brian Marshall]

Better yet, if you have access to a heated ultrasonic cleaner - put whatever solution you are using to try and break it free into a jar or beaker (with the part, of course) - and submerge that into the ultrasonic for 15 - 20 minutes.

If that doesn't work - I have another possible suggestion...


Brian

 

[dafinn]

Thanks for the suggestions I will try heating it up with the heat gun. I don't have access to the heated ultrasonic cleaner, what else do you have for advice?

 

[Brian Marshall]

Try flooding it with the solvent of your choice, and tapping lightly on both ends of the cutter.

Yeah, the sharp end too - BUT use a copper or rawhide mallet.

If you break the tip off it isn't going to matter much at this point. (You may be gonna escalate things anyway, if you get mad enough and start throwing it at a concrete block wall)


Ummm, I just thought of sumthin' else... you DO know that some of those collet/spindles had set screws - and if it had one you woulda found it by now and loosened it, right?


Is the cutter end long enough to stick in a potato? But ya gotta have the right kinda teacher around to make that one work...


Lastly, you can try waiting for the next full moon, light some black candles and incense (no need to get naked) and run through all the suggestions one more time?


Brian

 

[dafinn]

Well I took the spindle out of the bearing housing and knocked on the cutter hard with a mallet but no luck. I think the last owner welded the darn thing in there. She claims that an "Engraving Shop" changed it out. Well, I doubt that but this is what eBay is all about.... win some lose some. I guess I will attempt to find a new spindle to house a new cutter. I understand that Scripta was bought by a company named Delmex and I found them on the web the new Scripta website is http://www.scriptamt.com; the only problem I forsee now is being able to find someone at this place that speaks english.

 

[DKanger]

I'm not getting the gist of the design of this thing. Is it like a Dremel tool where a split collet inserts into the shaft and the bit slides into the collet which is tightened by the reverse cone on the retaining nut? My duplicator is set up like this and the bits stick all the time. If so, the only part that needs to be sacrificed is the collet.

 

[quickcut07]

The acetone and transmission fluid mix is great as is Kroil. The thing with each is time, let it sit for a few days soaking or keep Appling your penetrant. There is also a product by Lock-tite that freezes the outer case or inner depending on how it is applied. I have had good results with both. The freezing product can work fairly quick.
Good luck Eric

 

[JJ Roberts]

dafinn,I like PB Blaster for stubborn screws allen set screws. J.J.

 

[airamp]

HI,

any pictures you can post.

AirAmp

 

[Marrinan]

Try a bearing press

 

[dafinn]

WOW, what a pain in the ...! I finally got the cutter out of the spindle. I had to cut the tip off and drive it back through the spindle with a punch and mallet. I think the WD40 that it was sprayed with a couple days ago helped. Looking at it, it was evident that the former owner over heated the cutter and basically welded it in there. I'm sure this was the result from using a worn out / dull cutter.

So... thanks to everyone for helping me out on this. When yo are new at this, it is nice to know there is somewhere to go for help and advise.