Hardinge CHNC issue

My CHNC is the one with a rounded top like a covered wagon. This is how it works.
There are 2 things that keep the spindle from turning, spindle lock and a brake on the motor.
The brake has to be energized to allow the spindle motor to turn. Solid state relay 4CR must be powered up to disengage the brake .
If you can rotate the spindle just a few thousandths then your lock pin is out and you are just taking up the slack of the drive belts with the motor locked.
To remove the spindle lock you have to remove 2 set screws (one on top of the other in the same hole) just above the spindle lock. You can then remove the 4 screws on the face and it should pull out.

This is great info thanks. I do have a bit of movement when it's in spindle free mode however the spindle lock shaft should still be able to move at least a bit. May be not. You could be correct, may be the motor is locked. If i put it into jog and put the spindle from auto to free don't you think it should move. I also put the spindle in Jog and it sounds like it's trying to override the spindle lock like it's supposed to. How else can I get the spindle to move?

When my lock pin is engaged there is no movement of the spindle. It's a very close fit.

I think you might of nailed it. This is starting to make sense. Since it was sitting for so long I thought moisture might of built up. I pulled the collet closure ant it was clean. So may be i just need to run a program.

I owe you a Beer. When you said Spindle Brake the light bulb came on.
The spindle lock was out all along I had to apologize to it for beating on it.
Knowing that it might not be the spindle lock I powered up the machine and this time was able to get the spindle to jog and free spin. Now all I have to do is remember what I did, The good news is it spinning and in the correct direction.
Thanks again for the tips. Once I get my programmer buddy out to really run it I might actually have some answers for you or someone else
stay in touch

john

I'm happy you got it going and I do like beer.