Cross Slide and Compound Reassembly

Today I was able to reassemble the cross slide and the compund. I also managed to test fit the apron to make sure that the replacement pinion shaft is working.

The first step in rebuilding the cross slide was to add some sort of anti-backlash nut. First, I bored out a 5/8 hex nut as a housing.

Boring out nut

 This housing fits over a bronze sleeve that has been tapped with 1/2-10 left handed Acme threads.

Modified cross feed nut, sleeve, spring washers, boronze sleeve, Nut housing and anti rotation bar

 I tapped the oil drain hole in the bottom of the existing cross feed nut for a M5 screw. Next, I drilled two holes 30mm appart through a piece of the old cross feed Gib. This will keep the modified hex nut from rotating relative to the main nut.

Sleeve, main nut, springs and housing on screw inside of the saddle

 Once on the leadscrew, the bushing is screwed up against the main nut with the spring washers providing the preload. The bar keeps the housing aligned with the nut while a set screw holds the bushing inside the housing. This way the bushing can move axially to help compensate for uneven wear of the screw threads.

Initial Installation - note the extra material on the bar

After the initial installation, I noticed that the extra material on the bar was reducing the available stroke. So I milled off the ends and re-assembled everything.

Forward travel

Milled off bar at front

Rearward Travel

Milled off bar at rear

After getting the screw back in, I added the compound, the front and rear lower guides and test fitted the apron:

Saddle and Apron back on the lathe :)

Current state of Saddle and Head Stock

I am slowly getting ready for fist cutting :) The main jobs left are wiring up the drive system, preparing a spot to mount the lathe,fitting the BXA tool post and finally getting that worm gear to power the apron. In addition, I need to fabricate a replacement for the broken handle on the Gear box and re-install the lead screw and the thread dial.