Speed selector lever on my Excello is rather sloppy when switching ranges

[Buffdan]

The speed selector lever on my Excello is rather sloppy when switching ranges. It goes past the marked/designated area for each range.. An ill-defined detent..Plenty of play, like loose set screw.. It does engage but it feels loose. Is this normal, or should the lever stop in the designated range marker?
A few owners on Excello Face Book group have same "issue" on their 602

Thanks!
Dan

 

[thestelster]

Mine is the same. It's been like that since I bought it used 30+ years ago.

And sometimes that speed range lever bounces and rattles a bit, don't know why, and it's never jumped out of gear, but when it does rattleaI a attach a rubber band just to keep it in place, just in case.

 

[LenVW]

I used a several 602 mills for four years when I was apprenticing at Ex-Cell-O.
There may be a spring-loaded ball that locks a slide gear in place in the linkage in some models and years.
Depending on the abuse that it may have seen over the years, it may just be cumulative wear in several linkage joints that is exhibited when the indicator does not line up.

I like your tensioner (elastic band), simple and effective.
Also doubles as an Allen Wrench ‘keeper’.

 

[Buffdan]

Thanks guys for your inputs..
All the responses I have gotten are that its typical for the 602.

"Some day" I may look into it..