windmill steel oscillating distributer roller
I have a black ball windmill that runs well but the bearing on the distributor is very worn and noisy and not inking well. Flywheel side. I have been offered another if I can get it off the press without damage. The idea is to swap a better roller for my old. The new roller is on a red ball being parted out. Now, I notice it is all pinned and being Heidelberg its going to be a battle. I have never done this and I’m wondering how would be the best procedure. Any advice welcome. Thanks.
Its not the bushing. Its the cam gear and pinion below. I would’t bother as that means changing the complete gear and pinion. What you hear is the noise of worn drive gears transferring to the top large oscillation drum. BTW there is a lot of discussion about “black ball vs. red ball” there is no real difference unless you have a pre-wash-up model which is very old. Only real changes were roller lock-up (ca 1966) and tissue valve. Other than that machines were about the same from the mid 1950’s. The noise will not affect performance if you can stand it.
Mine is a wash up model, 1954. No i can grab that end of the roller and it just slops around, very badly. the gears you refer to - I keep well greased and that’s a different sound and natural I guess. (Its about 50 years!). No. I have to get the oscillator off somehow and either replace that bearing or preferably the roller an shaft. how to get it off is the question!
A minor correction. Its the steel that sits right on top of the stack and swings out of the way when you lift the rollers. It doesn’t oscillate (at the moment it just bounces around!).
Feel like I’m talking to myself, but here’s what I did. I located a small metal punch and managed to drift some pins out and freed the top roller. Not so hard after all. As i thought the flywheel side bearing, was completely worn out and the remaining balls just dropped out. Luckily for me instinct told me to lay out a sheet under the work area. it caught the remaining balls and a tapered pin, before they disappeared below. the replacement is coming from a later platen by about ten years. Hope its the same.
Sounds like you’re getting along fine!
Yes, i am
Peter Luckhurst the Uk guru, been off line last few weeks cos of changing broadband supplier, so that’s why little response from uk maybe………
Hey Lasimp,
you’ll see that your press has a plaque with oiling instructions on it. It does not mention grease. If you’re putting grease in the oil nipples then it’s no wonder you’re hearing awful sounds.
Swapping out nearly anything on an inking unit requires the complete removal and side-railing of said ink unit. If you’re mechanically handy, can save the metric taper pins you remove and remember the placement of the unit’s shims you’ll maybe come out allright.