Hey fellas,

My vega mini dupe is starting to hang up a bit, i took a look under the hood and I see that the chain has worn some grooves in the brass bushing it rides on. Anybody have a similar problem....and a solution? Will a tefflon sleeve the same size work better?

thanks for the input

MS

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac37/muskyslayer4430/vega.jpg

You don't have to put much tension on it. Try it with just a touch of play in the chain.

You can contact Vega, they were really good about supplying a replacement bushing when I had the same problem with mine a couple of years ago.

You can loosen the chain tension, but that helps only if you cut from the tailstock toward the head. As soon as you reverse and cut towards the tail you pull the tension back onto the bushing. Sorry guys, but I prefer to cut from the thickest diameter down to minimize tear-out. That means on most plugs starting in the center and working toward either end, so you have to cut in both directions.

While too much chain tension only makes it worse, no matter what you end up dragging the uneven sides of the chain over the bushing. Steel versus soft bronze, and the chain wins every time by cutting grooves into the bushing.

Its really a shortcoming of the design. There could have been an idler sprocket there like on a bicycle, but I'll bet that would have cost more and just forced Vega to raise the price even higher.

Mine actually got quite a bit worse before I caught it. Decided that since it is wearing part I would swap it out for something I could find supplied locally to make replacement easier. My local Lowes carries bronze bushings in the hardware department but only in slightly larger sizes, so I tapped mine out for 1/4-20. I used a partially threaded screw and cut down the bronze bushing so it only rides on the unthreaded part of the bolt. Works better but still no substitute for a true idler.

I use a home made version, duplicator, but I do have a Vega down cellar.Bought it used but I have never used it. I will look at it and see if it will be possible to add a small idler sprocket and see if I can find one and see if I can figure out a way to mount it so it is a simple fix and cost effective. Give me some time as I am swamped at work and swamped with a non work project.

Great fellas,

thanks for the input and Professor...thanks and take your time..the dupe still works fine just trying to keep an eye on it.

Best

MS

i used a piece of a roll pin. been working for about a year. don't even notice the seam.

The original one ( mine was copper not brass) lasted about a month.. I replaced it with a teflon bushing... bought at lowes and cut to size, I also replaced the screw that came with it with a step stud so the roller could actualy roll... I havent replaced it since and it's been about 5 years..I've made a half dozen upgrades to that original system.. i dont recall half of them..the original definatly needs tweaking.

I do take the cover off every 100 plugs or so, clean it out with compressed air and lube all the moving parts( shafts too) with a spray dry lube...

Thanks again fellas...i'll head to the hardware store to check out teflon bushings!!

MS

Definitely try Rockfish9's suggestion on the dry lube (Teflon) spray. It really makes a difference since I picked up on it couple of years ago after reading it in another post. Thanks for the tip Joe! Works great and doesn't hold wood dust like oil might.

You could try some butchers wax on it. I use it on my table saw gears and table top as well as other moving parts and surfaces and it works great. Just be sure to wipe off the excess.