How to Maintain Workshop Machines for Long Life

leadermachinetools on 16 February, 2026 | No Comments

Founded in 1971 by the visionary Sh. Darshan Lal Sehdev, Leaders Machine Tools has spent more than five decades manufacturing reliable and heavy-duty machines for workshops across India. From a modest casting unit in Batala, Punjab, we have grown into a respected manufacturer of lathe machines, milling machines, VTLs, and custom workshop solutions.

With this long experience, one thing has always remained true:
Machines don’t fail overnight — they fail when they are not maintained on time.

This guide explains simple, practical maintenance steps that every workshop owner and operator in India can follow to ensure machines run smoothly for years.

Importance of Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance means taking small steps before a machine breaks down.
Most breakdowns happen due to:

• Lack of lubrication
• Dust and swarf buildup
• Misalignment
• Loose fasteners
• Overloading
• Ignoring early warning signs

Regular maintenance helps you:

• Increase machine lifespan by 5–10 years
• Maintain accuracy and finish quality
• Reduce expensive repair costs
• Prevent sudden downtime
• Improve operator safety
• Keep your machines audit-ready

At Leaders Machine Tools, we have seen thousands of workshops succeed simply because they follow a disciplined maintenance routine. Machines like the lathe, milling machine, or VTL are built strong, but they still need timely care to perform at their best.

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Daily Checks (Lubrication, Cleaning, Electricals)

Daily checks hardly take 10–12 minutes, but they can prevent major failures.

1. Lubrication Check

• Ensure all lubrication points have proper oil.
• Top up spindle oil and slideway oil when necessary.
• Never run the machine dry — it causes wear and accuracy loss.

2. Cleaning

• Remove metal chips and swarf from:
  • Bed
  • Slideways
  • Tool post
  • Milling table
  • Coolant tray
• Dust and metal particles block lubrication and cause friction.

3. Belts & Pulleys

• Ensure the drive belt has proper tension.
• Watch for cracks or uneven wear.

4. Electrical Safety

• Check emergency stop button.
• Ensure there are no loose wires near the panel.
• Never ignore burning smell or unusual sparks.

5. Visual Inspection

• Listen for unusual vibration or noise.
• Check if machine guards are in place.
• Ensure coolant flow is steady.

These simple daily habits help avoid 80% of machine problems found in Indian workshops.

Weekly & Monthly Servicing Routine

Weekly Maintenance

• Clean lubrication lines and check for blockages.
• Check slideways for wear marks.
• Verify tailstock alignment (for lathes).
• Inspect spindle play (lathe/milling).
• Clean and flush coolant tank if required.

Monthly Maintenance

This is a deeper maintenance routine recommended by our engineers:

1. Alignment Check

• Inspect bed alignment
• Check headstock-to-tailstock centering
• Ensure vertical/horizontal travel accuracy (milling machines)

2. Tightening All Fasteners

• Foundation bolts
• Tool post bolts
• Chuck mounting bolts
• Table locking nuts

Heavy machining vibrations can loosen bolts over time.

3. Gearbox Maintenance

• Check oil grade & level
• Inspect gears for noise
• Replace oil if discolored

4. Motor & Electricals

• Clean motor vents
• Inspect contactor points
• Test earthing
• Check overload relay settings

5. Coolant System

• Remove sludge
• Clean pump filter
• Replace coolant if smell or fungal growth is noticed

This monthly routine helps maintain machining accuracy and keeps your machine running as smoothly as when it left our Batala factory.

Common Problems and Fixes

1. Machine Vibration

Causes: Unbalanced workpiece, loose foundation bolts, worn bearings
Fix: Re-tighten bolts, check leveling, inspect bearings

2. Poor Surface Finish

Causes: Worn tool, loose tool post, incorrect feed
Fix: Sharpen/replace tool, tighten tool post, adjust feed

3. Overheating

Causes: Lack of lubrication, blocked coolant flow
Fix: Clear coolant nozzles, refill lubrication oil

4. Inaccurate Dimensions

Causes: Bed wear, tailstock misalignment
Fix: Realign tailstock, ensure slideways are lubricated

5. Strange Noise from Gearbox

Causes: Low oil, worn gears
Fix: Top up/replace oil, inspect gear teeth

If any issue continues, avoid makeshift fixes. Use only trained technicians or reach out to Leaders Machine Tools Support.

Spare Parts and Support Availability

A machine is only as reliable as the quality of parts used during servicing.
At Leaders Machine Tools, we provide:

Genuine Spare Parts

• Lathe machine spares
• Milling machine spares
• VTL and heavy-duty components
• Bearings, gears, motors, belts, and electrical parts

Factory-Trained Technicians

Our team understands every nut and bolt of the machines we build.

On-Site Service Support

We assist workshops across India with:

• Machine inspection
• Installation
• Overhauling
• Alignment and calibration
• Repair & rebuild services

Fast Dispatch from Batala

Most common spares are stocked to minimize downtime.

Using duplicate or locally fabricated parts can reduce machine life drastically.
Always choose original factory-quality spares for best results.

Final CTA

Contact Leaders Machine Tools Support for servicing and spares.

(We are here to help you keep your machines running for decades.)