STAR HEAD PROBLEM

[askimball (Doc)]

I got involved assembling my #2 Star.....The [no e-mail]@%#$ Head Would Not slide all the way down the column...The Head would ONLY go about Halfway down when it feels like it hits a ridge...
I ended up removing the Key...THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM......I noticed in the shaft of the head there is a Spiral looking cut in the head....?
I've tried another Star Head and it slides ALL THE WAY DOWN......
Apparently STAR didn't do a Final Mill/Cut in/on the Head.....
I'm going to find a wheel brake cylinder hone and see if I can polish it out...or something of that nature......
By the way, does anybody know what size the KEY is..

[fc60]

Greetings,

Is the head a Star or Phelps?  Or, is the shaft from a Star or Phelps? Phelps tolerances were poor as compared to Star and many parts, while they look the same, do not interchange.

You will not be able to use a brake cylinder hone due to the keyway in the tool head. You will need to visit a machine shop with a proper hone and mandrel for keyway honing.

You may be successful using a brass barrel lap and some lapping paste.

The spiral cut inside the bore is a lubrication pathway.

Cheers,

Dave

[askimball (Doc)]

fc60
It's a Star Machine & a Star Head.......
I tried another Star head and it works perfectly....
All the heads I've seen Don't have that oil groove.....
I took the KEY out of the Head thinking it was the problem It wasn't.
I understand about the Spiral cut, But, it still could need honing/lapping...
The head slides down approx 2" above the Base, it sounds like it's hitting a ledge
I'm not sure I understand about lapping or where to get one
Funds are tight, so self repairing will have to suffice...

Just tried another STAR Head>>>WON'T GO DOWN ALL THE WAY...
I miked the Column Shaft, it varies from:
TOP:: 1.188
1.191
1.196 Middle
1.194 At the base of the Key-way

[fc60]

Greetings Doc,

Personal Message sent to you regarding a possible fix.

Cheers,

Dave

[askimball (Doc)]

Thanks to fc60 for suggestions for fixing the problem...........
I came up with a solution.....Not going to say, was not to the professional standards you Master machinists would do......
BUT, it did work, and it worked up & down smoothly without any play..........