- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
- Messages
- 9,422
Let us hope that a new gib and screws resolves your issues, Tim.
This is an opportune time to make and install your gib lock. I suggest you make it in two parts. The part that goes into the hole and contacts the gib will not be rounded. Instead, I would use a piece steel round stock turned to just slip fit into the threaded hole you make and cut the tip at an angle that matches the angle of the gib strip. Be sure to deburr all edges well. Insert it into the threaded hole with the long end of the slanted tip pointing down. Then make a threaded locking screw that bears on the back of the first piece so that when you tighten the screw, it simply pushes on the first part to lock the slide with very little pressure. This type of locking mechanism is smooth, locks and releases well and does not cause excessive wear on the gib. I would avoid using a ball bearing for this kind of lock; it will eventually dimple the gib and cause alignment issues.
Once you have the new gib strip and screws in hand, maybe we can all go over our method of adjusting the gibs. There is more than one way to do this so a discussion might be a good idea.
This is an opportune time to make and install your gib lock. I suggest you make it in two parts. The part that goes into the hole and contacts the gib will not be rounded. Instead, I would use a piece steel round stock turned to just slip fit into the threaded hole you make and cut the tip at an angle that matches the angle of the gib strip. Be sure to deburr all edges well. Insert it into the threaded hole with the long end of the slanted tip pointing down. Then make a threaded locking screw that bears on the back of the first piece so that when you tighten the screw, it simply pushes on the first part to lock the slide with very little pressure. This type of locking mechanism is smooth, locks and releases well and does not cause excessive wear on the gib. I would avoid using a ball bearing for this kind of lock; it will eventually dimple the gib and cause alignment issues.
Once you have the new gib strip and screws in hand, maybe we can all go over our method of adjusting the gibs. There is more than one way to do this so a discussion might be a good idea.