I just fired up the 3 phase spindle motor on my bought off craigslist Bridgeport Boss 4.
Got the steppers working with Geckodrive G201s, built a power supply, cleaned the whole machine and installed an Automation Driect GS2 VFD.
Turned the spindle motor on for the first time (in I have no idea how long) and there is a large thumping from the head. The spindle turns and the variable speed works (mine is manual with a handle that changes the speed) but the head sounds like a small airplane.
I did not run it long because I was worried about damage.
The belt is old, do they get so stiff that they need to be replaced?
I am very comfortable with the electronics of a CNC machine but the head of my Bridgeport is something I hope just works...
Is there any maintenance I should do before running a machine that has sat for quite a while?