Hi everyone,
I just purchased a used combination machine. Its an Italian brand Valex multi 51. Its a four function machine and has a saw, jointer/planer, and a mortising table! Its pretty cool except for some (what I feel to be) undue vibration.
I reluctantly opened her up and found that the belts are old and some were cracked! I initially thought that it could be the belt tension, because when doing test cuts in thick material the belts slipped!
My question is could there be other sources of vibration that I’m not aware of?
Make your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
Replies
Chaim,
"My question is could there be other sources of vibration that I'm not aware of".
Yes, many , many. So if I were you I would fit new belts and close her up as quickly as possible , since you mentioned that you reluctantly "opened her up" (Emphasis on the word "reluctantly").
Seriously, if you mentioned which mode she was in when vibration ocurred then the field could be narrowed down a bit. And is there just uno motore for all or what?
thank you for answering me!
Yes Philip there is only one motor for all the functions. Its a 2 horse power.
I just received the belts 4 of them 2 transfer power to the saw in line, and another two are for the jointer planer! Apparently one belt feeds to the knife head and the other goes on to transfer power to a chain drive for the power feeder! all this from what I've experienced is pretty standard.
I'll put them on the machine put her back together and let you know how it went! of course after the BBQ My family awaits!
Wish me luck. Thanks,
ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
After the BBQ I instaled the new belts! A good improvment!!! but one of the belts (the belt for the jointer/planer) is a tad loose and thus flaps against the underside of the saw table! oh well I guess you just don't know until you try.
Other than that I dont see what else I can do to releve vibration?
Thanks,
ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
Chaim,
Is it vibrating more in any of the three modes (jointer, planer or saw) ? I would tend to suspect either the jointer or planer which can vibrate if the cutter heads are out of balance, caused by knives of different weight due to size variation . What kind of chuck is on the shaft for the mortiser- is it a Jacobs like type or one of those hefty jobs?
It also seems that the new belt which is so loose that it slaps the table is either in need to adjustment or too long.
Try running the motor without any belts-it should run with virtually no vibration felt on the machine. Are the pulleys cast iron or aluminium and do they run true on the shaft? If the machine vibrates when the motor is run without driving anything the usual cause will be the mountings for the motor-some machines have rubber dampers. Is motor tight on its base ?Philip Marcou
Philip Hello,
I feel vibration even when there are no pulleys attached, but not much!
the chuck on the mortiser is a collet type chuck.
The pulleys that are attached directly to the shaft of the motor are either aluminum or a steel and the transfer pulley for the drive mechanism is cast.
I felt that the jointer head is out of balance but did not take off the knives so that may be the cause.
I tightened the bolts for the motor mount but they were pretty good, and I replaced the loose belt.
How tight should the belts be? Should the pulleys run freely? or should there be some friction keeping the jointer head, saw blade, from running freely?
I do think the machine has Issues with its fit and finish, but for me I'll be happy if it mostly runs properly and safely. Finding all sorts of replacement parts seems to be (in most cases) more trouble than its worth, because of the fit and finish issues!
The truth is it runs O.K. now and I look forward to the day when I'll need a machine with larger capacity so I can justify a larger more heavy machine.
I appreciate all your suggestions. It was a good and healthy process taking apart the machine. I got to know her intimately which is to say there is now one more thing for my wife to be jealous of...ha ha!!!
Ill post some pics when I get a chance!
Thank you!
ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
Finally, here are some pics of her whole opened up and in her various moods! (modes?)
Enjoy!
ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
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