gib play

savarin

savarin

Active User
H-M Supporter Gold Member
how often should the compound gibs (or cross slide) need adjusting?
I know the simple answer is "When they loosen":rofl:
But, after so many hours work? after heavy work?
The reason I ask is I broke a parting off bit and when I re-set everything and started parting again I suddenly saw the compound tilt a fraction as the bit dug in.
The gibs were very loose with heaps of slack where they were tight previously and the lock nuts were still tight.
 
Gibs and ways all go through an initial seating in and wearing in process. Once they have been used a bit they normally calm down and require less frequent adjustments. Asian machines are also known to have inferior quality gob strips that many owners have removed and replaced with brass shim stock that they cut to match. Once the beds and ways "seat", and the gibs get past the initial wear stage you should be able to run for extended periods with having to constantly readjust and tighten them. Sorry for a less than definitve answer, but thats how it was explained to me on my 7X10 and multi machine. Hope this helps.

Bob
 
Hi Charles,
The question is actually a bit open ended....,
If you are not using your compound (oftenly, {is that really a word?} then keep the gibs locked tight. Most work on a lathe is saddle and cross slide, so locking up anything above, such as compound, to your tool is worthwhile.
See this thread http://www.hobby-machinist.com/show...on-but-for-a-noobie-like-me?p=55074#post55074 for an example
Adjusting your gibs is really not a standard operation IMHO but more a "what operation am I performing here?". I automatically just lock the saddle when I am doing facing cuts or parting. I know thats not a gib but its the same principle. If i am screwcutting, (and I was taught the 29* method) then I tighten the cross slide gibs as a matter of fact. Not to the point of lockup, but a lot of drag when moving.
For your lathe, for most machining, I would be adjsuting the gibs to sliding, firm to middlin' and leaving a centre screw without the locknut to nip your slide tight when not in use. I keep a screwdriver handy for jsut this operation.

Cheers Phil
 
Thanks guys, that makes a heap of sense especially locking the compound when not actually using it.
I must admit if I had a mill I would have a go at making a trapezoidal strip to fit without rolling around but I dont want to bug my friend for something like that.
Phil, I like that compound replacement part, nice and heavy, Do you think aluminium would be strong enough?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top