Cooks Cat Claw sharpener shaft broke

[LeeB]

Just ordered a new pillow block assembly for my sharpener. The shaft the rock goes on broke between the two bearings. Looks like it may have been broken for a while. Wonder how I was managing to get a decent sharpening done. You cant buy just the shaft.

[Gere Flewelling]

That's interesting. That is a pretty heavy duty shaft and bearing set up.  Did the stone experience some sort of trauma that could have caused the break? I know I accidentally let the head drop once while adjusting the degree angle and shattered the grind rock. I can't imagine any other way that stress could be enough to cause the shaft to break. I hope you can get it repaired soon. Good luck!

[LeeB]

I was pretty surprised myself. The rock was stuck on the shaft and I wacked it lightly to get it broke loose. Once I got it off I noticed the shaft didn't look like it was sitting right and the front bearing was out of the pillow block at an angle. I pulled the mounting bolts and only half of the assembly came out. It will be an easy fix. I suppose you can expect a few things to start going wrong considering it's age. I've had it 16 years ans it was used when I bought it. I have no idea how old it actually is. It has Suffolk Machinery stickers on it. My setter is also a Suffolk. Did maybe cooks buy the manufacturing rights from them?

[customsawyer]

Lee you might want to edit the title. :D
I thought I knew what you were saying but had to come in here to make sure.

[LeeB]

Done  :D :D :D ;D

[Chuck White]

@LeeB Just wondering if it is back up and running!

I've had my CatClaw 14 years now, and all I've ever done to it maintenance wise was grease it once in a while, and I replaced the drive belt once!

NOTE: I've found that if you have to do any maintenance regarding the belt or bearing, etc, the easiest way to get it realigned is to leave one of the pillow block bearing in place, and that will be your starting point!

[LeeB]

Not yet. Still waiting on parts.

[LeeB]

Got the parts in a while back and only just today had a chance to tinker with it. The instructions that come with it are not much help. This is going to be fun.

[Chuck White]

Good to hear you got the parts.

Remember what I mentioned in post #5 above, only remove one pillowblock bearing, it'll make belt alignment quicker!

[LeeB]

The shaft was broken and I ordered a whole assembly already put together. Both blocks had to come out.

[Chuck White]

Ordering as a unit was a good choice, eliminates another part going awry!

[LeeB]

Doesn't help with getting everything lined up again. 

[LeeB]

Got it lined up and back together. Got lucky and could see an imprint where the front bearing had set before. Worked it out from there. I had emailed Cooks for more directions but never heard back. I figured it out on my own. Their rock squaring/alignment tool would have helped but I made a tri-square work.