- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 2,062
I picked up the ballscrews today at FedEx. The young lady looked at my name and asked if I was related to David Fxxxxx. I replied that he was my son. She introduced herself as David's girlfriend's sister. Small world, but cool.
<Back on topic>
I wasn't surprised to find that the ballscrews were just cut lengths - no bearing surface or threads on the business end. They weren't specific lengths. In fact, the longest piece (1050 mm) is long enough to use for all three axes. Hopefully, they aren't hardened. A file does cut the steel, but not like soft steel.
I tried a bit of cutting on the lathe. It is possible with carbide inserts, but I'll have to be gentle, considering the interrupted cuts involved with turning a threaded rod. Lots of fun dialing in a threaded rod in the four-jaw. One strip of pop can under the jaws, one strip riding on top between the shaft and the dial tip to average it out.
<Back on topic>
I wasn't surprised to find that the ballscrews were just cut lengths - no bearing surface or threads on the business end. They weren't specific lengths. In fact, the longest piece (1050 mm) is long enough to use for all three axes. Hopefully, they aren't hardened. A file does cut the steel, but not like soft steel.
I tried a bit of cutting on the lathe. It is possible with carbide inserts, but I'll have to be gentle, considering the interrupted cuts involved with turning a threaded rod. Lots of fun dialing in a threaded rod in the four-jaw. One strip of pop can under the jaws, one strip riding on top between the shaft and the dial tip to average it out.