Moore #3 Jig Borer help (2024)

I have a #3 Moore Jig Borer. Works great! However I've developed a problem. The chain on the spindle counter weight seems to stick. I've had it for 5 years all that time it hasn't been used hard. Most of the work I have been doing is drilling #3 tap drill holes and tapping them using an Albrecht 3/8" capacity chuck attached to a Moore taper. However spindle will stick with nothing in the spindle. When I bring the spindle down and attempt to bring it back up the counter weight seems to stick, the chain will go slack. Removing the top cover I can see the chain. At first I thought the chain was stiff and would not wrap around the sprocket so with a spray can of PB Blaster I lubricated the chain. Didn't help. Bringing up the spindle and see a bow develop in the slack chain I can watch the chain move slowly as the weight slooowly moves and tightens the chain. If I use the head elevating/lowering handle the spindle chain remains tight. I have the manual and see that a sprocket for the spindle chain is also on the head elevating/lowering shaft with a bronze bearing but I can't get to it. It may be sticking.
Anyone know a simple way to lubricate that bearing or have any idea what might be causing the problem?

The fit between the counterweights for the traveling head and the spindle is relatively close. If you have any dried-out grease/oil or corrosion between the two, that can prevent the spindle chain from being pulled taut. If lube on the sliding parts hasn't helped, put the traveling head at its highest position, extend the quill fully, and then look into the column access hole in the rear. You can use a scraper to clear away any gunk on the mating counterweight surfaces. This is more likely the culprit than the sprocket.

Thanks Straightedge; I'll check it out today. That counter weight is hard to see let alone getting to it. What is the best way to lube it?

You access it through the rectangular opening between the base and column castings. You'll be on your hands and knees. It's not convenient. I don't know what the best lube is, but I've used way oil and it works fine.

Brought the counter weight down as mentioned by Straightedge. Sprayed it well with PB Blaster, stuck my hand in the hole and rubbed the PB on the guide for the spindle counter weight then more PB. Moved the spindle up and down. Sprayed more PB in the hole at the top to the spindle housing ways with the head assembly all the way down and soaked the counter weights. Continued to move the spindle Up/down until it moved freely. It no longer binds, then did the same with some spray lubricant. The entire assembly moves without any binding.
I now have a small issue that I discovered when I moved the head up, at the point that the line on the head is near the 9" mark the spindle counter weight bumps the round casting that is attached to the counter weight guide, it causes no problem nor binds the spindle counter weight but the contact can be heard and felt. I do have a #2 Moore but it don't happen on that machine. I did put a Starrett 6" machinist level on the table and leveled the machine though the manual states it's not necessary.No help.
Since I had the top cover off I removed the spindle belts and moved the variable drive assembly as far back as the bolts would allow. That gave me enough room to get an inspection mirror inside the upper casting and confirmed that the 2 chains for the counter weight were on the sprockets that are on the head lifting/lowering shaft. Was thinking that with the binding I had before the spindle counter weight chain jumped off the sprocket causing the weight to tilt slightly. Any idea as to what may be causing that issue??