Broken compound retainer

[jwmay]

Ok fellas...what would you do about this? I found this after I’d bought the lathe, but only recently have come to a point where I can no longer set the compound for threading. There’s no more iron to tighten the compound to.

Seems like my best option is foregoing the repair entirely, and bolt a big chunk of iron where it used to be.

 

[P. Waller]

You do not need the compound for threading, Bolt a wacking great tool post to the cross slide and carry on.

 

[Superburban]

Looks like a grizzley, have you checked their site for the part? many of their parts are decently priced.

 

[seasicksteve]

I would call the manufacturer and email those pics as well perhaps they can help you out

 

[middle.road]

That is a ****-poor-porous casting.

 

[kd4gij]

http://www.grizzly.com/parts/Grizzly-CROSS-SLIDE/P4002512

 

[jwmay]

A hundred dollars ain’t bad!

Well now for the confession. The damage when first discovered, wasn’t nearly so extensive. I was still brand new to machining. The first time I changed the angle of the compound, one t bolt felt mushy. It wouldn’t get tight. Upon inspection, I discovered the t bolt was stripped, and bent, the nut had pulled threads, and the cross slide had a big chip out of it. I didn’t have a clue what to do about it. I made a crappy t bolt, that kinda worked for awhile. Then I found a t bolt that was for attaching railings to SKF conveyor...I installed it on the lathe, and I believe over the next months, chipped out all the rest you see there. That t bolt had very little surface area for bearing. So, this...or most of it, is my fault I believe.

Today I made a replacement t bolt, a little heftier than the original. I can tighten the compound slide correctly for now. Only time will tell if this will last. But I might buy a spare cross slide just to have it. I thought it had to be expertly fit up. Meaning I don’t think I’m capable, of it requires any scraping, or precision. If I can just slap it on there, and everything would be fine, there’s my Christmas I guess!

Thanks all!

 

[kd4gij]

It will be a direct fit. It has a Gib down one side for adjusting it.

 

[Liljoebrshooter]

You could make a T nut style with a much longer length that slides in the groove.

 

[Superburban]

Its the ways in the saddle that are important. As long as the cross slide has the right angles for the dovetail, and are parallel (counting the gib, if a tapered gib), the rest is not critical.