Randolph Front Rest - Maintenance Procedures

[epags1]

The title says it all. I am buying a used Randolph front rest (with the two windage 'handles'. Is there any recommended maintenance that should be periodically done...like oiling, tightening, replacing springs or belt?
Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Rick Richard]

I suggest giving them a call since they would know best how to maintain their product.

 

[Rich S]

I’ve had mine for a number of years and it has not required any special maintenance. Maybe a drop of light oil periodically on the moving components. I’d suggest keeping it very minimal to prevent debris from sticking. Mine has always operated smoothly.

 

[epags1]

I suggest giving them a call since they would know best how to maintain their product.

I agree...I have sent an email since I am not in a hurry and don't want to distract from their work schedule.

 

[beak]

any of the above know of a Randolph front rest 4 sale ????? rsvp sldimon@roadrunner.com thank u Steve

 

[SeabeeKen]

My neighbor has one that is 15+ years old. Last year we replaced the jack shaft and its collar due to wear. There was enough play in it that it was causing shots to be off by 1.5" at 100. Randolph is a little over an hr away from us and we called them. They replaced the parts free of charge, no questions asked. Now that's CS. Mine is 1 yr old and tight.
We disassemble them once a year and clean and apply a very thin coat of grease to the shaft and a drop or 2 of oil to the threads on the legs. Never an issue with the belt yet but we carry a spare just in case.
These rests are tough and require almost no maintenance.

 

[epags1]

My neighbor has one that is 15+ years old. Last year we replaced the jack shaft and its collar due to wear. There was enough play in it that it was causing shots to be off by 1.5" at 100. Randolph is a little over an hr away from us and we called them. They replaced the parts free of charge, no questions asked. Now that's CS. Mine is 1 yr old and tight.
We disassemble them once a year and clean and apply a very thin coat of grease to the shaft and a drop or 2 of oil to the threads on the legs. Never an issue with the belt yet but we carry a spare just in case.
These rests are tough and require almost no maintenance.

Thank you

 

[epags1]

I suggest giving them a call since they would know best how to maintain their product.

Here is his reply:
The front rest should give you years of trouble-free service without much maintenance on your part. Just keep it clean, wiping off excessive dirt and debris. Once or twice a year you could apply a couple of drops of household 3-in-1 oil on the windage rods (I like to move the carriage to one side, apply a drop or two of oil, and then move the carriage all the way to the other side and repeat). For the elevation, extend the column to full height and put two or three drops of oil around the seam and lower the riser back down. As for the drive belt, it is an industrial rated belt and is extremely unlikely to ever need replacement; we do sell the belt by itself if you do want a backup. That’s really all there is to it, if there ever becomes a problem with the rest that you’re not comfortable with, please feel free to reach out to us, we would be happy to help!
Thank you,
Matthew Coleman
Randolph Machine, Inc
(336)625-0411