Seized Windlass

[paulcooper]

I have just purchased a used COX 22 MS which has mounted on the foredeck a
windlass. I have not used one before. The operating handle will not turn the
mechanism and appears to be seized solid. It has no makers name but it does have a brass plug on top that can be unscrewed to fill with oil?

What is the best way to free it?
Can you take it apart?
What oil is used to re-fill it?

Grateful for any help. Paul.

 

[Jackamo]

You could try removing the windlass and submerging it in a basin of parafin or use WD40. I assume it can come apart sine it would have been assembled to start with. If all else fails I may be able to sort you out with a second hand replacement. I assume some sort of automotive gear oil would do as it is a hand windlass with low speeds, so specification will probably be of no importance.

 

[DepSol]

Forget WD 40 it does not have the right combo of elements to get something like this unzeized as it does not penetrate fully.

Use T9 and give it a good spray then strip as far as possible and repeat the process untill it all comes apart, then clan it up grease it and replace using the T9 as an anti corrosive by spraying it evenly over the surfaces.

Good Luck

Dom

2003 is going to be a good year for me

 

[chas]

Is it operated by a handle which is swung backwards and forwards? If so, it might be a Simpson Lawrence. I had a similar problem about two years ago and got some good advice from this forum. The first thing I did was take it off and soak it in a bucket of diesel for about three weeks.

The windlass is operated by two sets of bicycle type chains which run over two sprockets (just the same as on the back wheel of a bicycle) mounted on the drive shaft. One sprocket is reversed. Thus you get one chain driving on the forward stroke while the other freewheels and vice versa on the back stroke (hope that makes sense)

My chains and sprockets (they looked straight off a bicycle) were rusted solid. The secret is to go to Halfords for spares, not SL! SL chain was about £25, Halfords £4.99 for instance.

Hope this helps.