Tightening a metal lathe cross feed

[redtom]

I got this lathe cheap from a friend. It appears good except being a bit loose. I took apart the feed and it has this style brass nut. There's

supposed to be a small screw in the end. Is the screw supposed to pinch the threads together where its cut to take up slop? I have to go buy a metric Allen head screw. I can't find any parts online.

 

[Tom from Buckeye Lake]

Sorta, it doesn't "Pinch" the thread. It spreads the nut a few thousands of and inch. There may be wear on the lead screw and possibly bind at different parts of it due to that. Adjust in small increments.

 

[zuhnc]

Yes, that screw will close up the threads slightly to reduce back lash. It doesn't eliminate it completely, though. Don't tighten it too tight so that the cross slide screw is hard to turn. Keep it well oiled, as well.

Some pinch together, some spread apart. End result the same! zuhnc

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I got this lathe cheap from a friend. It appears good except being a bit loose. I took apart the feed and it has this style brass nut. There'sView attachment 70982 supposed to be a small screw in the end. Is the screw supposed to pinch the threads together where its cut to take up slop? I have to go buy a metric Allen head screw. I can't find any parts online.View attachment 70981

Hardware stores all carry metric screws these days. True Value stores are everywhere.

 

[4wdtom]

While it can be a bit annoying backlash in a lead screw won't hurt anything. All have some unless you get into expensive ball screws. As all machinists do you work around it backing out past your setting and then advancing to where you want to be.

 

[Janicholson]

I got this lathe cheap from a friend. It appears good except being a bit loose. I took apart the feed and it has this style brass nut. There'sView attachment 70982 supposed to be a small screw in the end. Is the screw supposed to pinch the threads together where its cut to take up slop? I have to go buy a metric Allen head screw. I can't find any parts online.View attachment 70981

I cut several in half, then flattened the mating surfaces. I use two bolts (adding another next to the original) then use washers as shims to adjust the backlash. this puts the threads in a natural position and it lasts much longer. Jim