Force RF45 Clone Parts

[Madpiper]

Hi,

Is there a business in Calgary, or an online site for ordering replacement parts? I’ve got a leaky sight glass, and I might take a look at replacing seals & bearings while I have it open.
The machine itself is:
FRV30-200 ANH ZAY7045L

Thanks.

 

[David]

Unfortunately probably the only option you have is Grizzly in the US or King in Canada for a replacement or making a new sight glass yourself.
Bearings and seals are going to be off the shelf. I've had good luck with Bearings Canada.

 

[OliverTO]

The King KC-45 is a similar machine, they have a parts diagram with pricing on their website. I don't know about dealers in the Calgary area but I am certain there is one. In London Ontario, parts can be purchased/ordered through Federated Tools.

 

[PeterT]

I used to have an RF-45 (King model from Taiwan late 90's). Thankfully, my sight glass did not leak but it was a common problem on many machines. You might want to do an internet search because I recall people buying stock replacements only to have the same issue. Or realizing the issue all along was fixed once they did a better installation than factory. Most of the problems stem from the casting hole, oversize or at least not consistent with the glass. Or wishful thinking sealant grout job. Or the sealant itself degrading over time. If the glass to hole is a sloppy fit, you might be better off machining (or maybe 3D printing) a better new flange which bonds the existing glass but more importantly a wider flange to the machine casting face, rather than grouting the edge of the hole which is a bad design IMO. Different RF's seem to have done this a bit different depending on the clone. Obviously clean everything well & use a proper sealant. These machines are also notorious for so-so Bondo / paint jobs & I could see that also contributing to leaks.

 

[Madpiper]

I used to have an RF-45 (King model from Taiwan late 90's). Thankfully, my sight glass did not leak but it was a common problem on many machines. You might want to do an internet search because I recall people buying stock replacements only to have the same issue. Or realizing the issue all along was fixed once they did a better installation than factory. Most of the problems stem from the casting hole, oversize or at least not consistent with the glass. Or wishful thinking sealant grout job. Or the sealant itself degrading over time. If the glass to hole is a sloppy fit, you might be better off machining (or maybe 3D printing) a better new flange which bonds the existing glass but more importantly a wider flange to the machine casting face, rather than grouting the edge of the hole which is a bad design IMO. Different RF's seem to have done this a bit different depending on the clone. Obviously clean everything well & use a proper sealant. These machines are also notorious for so-so Bondo / paint jobs & I could see that also contributing to leaks.

Good points, thanks Peter. I was hoping to have a source of parts before opening it up. The previous owner said it was discounted at the store, because it was leaking from new. They even had the original gallon jug of oil the store threw in for the leak.
Anyways, should be a relatively simple fix once it’s opened up.

 

[BaitMaster]

Modern tool in Calgary will order Rong fu parts for you right from Taiwan. They did for me for my old rebranded RF-30.

Wasn’t too terribly bad either, and they have some good customer service.

 

[Madpiper]

Modern tool in Calgary will order Rong fu parts for you right from Taiwan. They did for me for my old rebranded RF-30.

Wasn’t too terribly bad either, and they have some good customer service.

Thanks! I’ll give them a call.

 

[Mike R]

Years ago when I opened up my RF45 type clone, the bearings were bad, yes, but the cause was 2 fold: Improper installation (as evidenced by the bent seals on the bearings from being pounded on!), and 2. The shafts the bearings were on were oversize by a significant margin - which had necessitated the application of force to get them on in the first place. Just something to be aware of.

Also, if you're opening it up, plan to clean it out properly - there is likely still casting debris left behind inside. There is (should be) a drain hole for the oil hiding somewhere underneath between the quill and the column.

 

[Jswain]

Take whatever seal / bearing you need to TSL in Calgary. They are amazing and will either have it in stock or order it for you. High quality stuff, and guys behind the counter that know their sh*t

Transmission Supplies
(403) 243-3261

https://g.co/kgs/uzaNHgJ

Just another note, make sure the breather isn't missing, or plugged on top.

 

[Tom Kitta]

Hi,

Is there a business in Calgary, or an online site for ordering replacement parts? I’ve got a leaky sight glass, and I might take a look at replacing seals & bearings while I have it open.
The machine itself is:
FRV30-200 ANH ZAY7045L

Thanks.

I purchase all my sight glasses from aliexpress. Excellent quality. These are metric so easy to find.

For quality bearings I would go to eBay and seller is Bohemian seal - 1000s of bearings in stock and you can pick a tire of quality - either cheap or top of the line - this is off the shelf item so no issues finding it.

 

[PeterT]

Modern tool in Calgary will order Rong fu parts for you right from Taiwan. They did for me for my old rebranded RF-30.
Wasn’t too terribly bad either, and they have some good customer service.

Can you recall when that was? They did the same for me several years ago which I greatly appreciated, but I bought my machine from them. More recent conversation I got an impression some general reluctance to hunt down parts unless a machine sold by them or servicing themselves. More like the Precision Mathews model in USA although these are my words not theirs. But I don't want to spread any false or misinterpreted information. Maybe they are just plain busy & these 'little' machines are not their bread & butter. Now they do (or did ~years ago) sell an RF-45 type Chinese machine. I would fully expect parts for that. But that is not the 'Taiwan RF-45' machine. Or depending on how one draws the current border maps LOL.

 

[Madpiper]

Take whatever seal / bearing you need to TSL in Calgary. They are amazing and will either have it in stock or order it for you. High quality stuff, and guys behind the counter that know their sh*t

Transmission Supplies
(403) 243-3261

https://g.co/kgs/uzaNHgJ

Just another note, make sure the breather isn't missing, or plugged on top.

Wouldn’t have thought of TSL; but they certainly don’t make parts guys like they used to. I’ve got the gearbox mostly apart now; bearings shouldn’t be a problem to find, hopefully the seals are as straight forward. Good tip on the breather, .

 

[Madpiper]

I purchase all my sight glasses from aliexpress. Excellent quality. These are metric so easy to find.

For quality bearings I would go to eBay and seller is Bohemian seal - 1000s of bearings in stock and you can pick a tire of quality - either cheap or top of the line - this is off the shelf item so no issues finding it.

Thanks for the recommendations Tom, I’ll check them both out.

 

[BaitMaster]

Can you recall when that was? They did the same for me several years ago which I greatly appreciated, but I bought my machine from them. More recent conversation I got an impression some general reluctance to hunt down parts unless a machine sold by them or servicing themselves. More like the Precision Mathews model in USA although these are my words not theirs. But I don't want to spread any false or misinterpreted information. Maybe they are just plain busy & these 'little' machines are not their bread & butter. Now they do (or did ~years ago) sell an RF-45 type Chinese machine. I would fully expect parts for that. But that is not the 'Taiwan RF-45' machine. Or depending on how one draws the current border maps LOL.

Last year. Winter/early spring. It was great.

I just had to pay in advance obviously and shipping was extra.

 

[PeterT]

Well that's great to hear, thanks.