Karstens od grinder help needed..

[aonemarine]

I picked up this old karstens id/od grinder and am in the process of cleaning it up and getting it running again.. Been sitting for quite some time by the looks of it. I would love to find a copy of the operator's manual, or someone answer a few questions on how this thing is supposed to operate.

It's a good sized machine, and believe it is a maximum of 24" between centers..
Where I'm running into questions is on the y axis feed. I'm kinda figuring it out, but the .00005" adjuster in the handwheel only seems to move about .00025" then stops. I though this should be something that could be turned continuously???

Also there appears to be something missing between the two handwheels that goes onto a keyed shaft. I'm guessing that this is for cycling the table back and forth??

I've got alot of cleaning and derusting to take care of, but it's cleaning up nicely...

 

[aonemarine]

Head stock question also... there's this outer aluminum ring kinda like a backing plate for driving a dog that just spins. Feels like it has a bad bearing in it or something but does not seem to lock to anything... I have no ideas on it yet and will approach it later once I get a few other things sorted out...

 

[GreenTwin]

That's a nice score.

Looks really solid.

I am trying to figure out what all the knobs and handwheels do.

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[aonemarine]

That's a nice score.

Looks really solid.

I am trying to figure out what all the knobs and handwheels do.

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This is what I've figure out so far.. but still many questions..

 

[GreenTwin]

Hard to find manuals for these.

Here is a manual for sale.
Not sure if it is the same model.

https://www.imtsgrinding.com/georg-karstens-machine-manuals/
And a manual from a similar machine:

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/1738/17405.pdf
The consensus online seems to be that the Karstens is a high precision/very accurate grinder.

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[GreenTwin]

Is the bed movement hydraulic?

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[aonemarine]

Is the bed movement hydraulic?

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Yes.

 

[GreenTwin]

We need a video when you get that thing going, so we can see it all in action.

There really seems to be a lot going on with it, and without paying close attention, it would be easy to crash the wheel.

I think it will be a bit of an art to running it, but probably not bad once it is all understood.

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[lathe nut]

that is a wonderful looking machine, great find, glad for you, Joe

 

[ajoeiam]

I picked up this old karstens id/od grinder and am in the process of cleaning it up and getting it running again.. Been sitting for quite some time by the looks of it. I would love to find a copy of the operator's manual, or someone answer a few questions on how this thing is supposed to operate.

snip

Company is now (seems to be anyway) part of the EWAG group.

Might not hurt to try reaching out to them - - - - might be pricey but it would be available.

HTH

 

[aonemarine]

Well, the good news is I got that .00005" increment adjustment working.. Bad news is I'm finding alot of other things wrong.
There is a spur gear with a missing tooth under the table that has something to do with the hydraulic feed system. I haven't cut a spur gear in years, but I'll manage. I'll pull the table in a few days and get into that later.. The other thing is that there is definetly something going on in the headstock. I don't think it's ever been apart, so that's kinda a plus, but who knows what I'll find once I open that can of worms. The speeds seem to work but there does not seem to be a solid connection to the spindle. I'm a bit nervous as to what I'll find to say the least, atleast the grinding head feels super silky smooth

Derusting continues.. looking pretty good imho...

 

[GreenTwin]

The bed cleaned up nicely.

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[aonemarine]

Phew we!!
I had concerns when I bought this thing that there was an issue with the headstock as there was no positive engagement... Well my fears are at rest now... Belts!!!! Oiley worn out belts!!! Yippie!!! Well, there is 2 bearings that do need to be replaced, but nothing major

 

[GreenTwin]

That is good news.

The machine overall does seem to be built to last forever, and there is no significant load on the moving parts, assuming one does not take very heavy cuts/grinds.

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