Lathe carriage leadscrew engagement issue

[dml66]

OK, I returned to the dual half-nuts and double-checked everything as suggested: The leadscrew is now engaging properly, even when engaged I can rotate it by hand. The grub screw is vital to proper operation, there's one spot where it allows positive engagement and proper grasp of the leadscrew.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out, I'm a happy camper .

 

[GrifterGuru]

OK, I returned to the dual half-nuts and double-checked everything as suggested: The leadscrew is now engaging properly, even when engaged I can rotate it by hand. The grub screw is vital to proper operation, there's one spot where it allows positive engagement and proper grasp of the leadscrew.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out, I'm a happy camper .

@dml66

Thats great news. What was the issue in the end? the half-nut grub screw, apron alignment, leadscrew or a combination of all of the above?


@ChazzC

Great info! Looks to be as I expected it to be. Have been considering that kit for a while but I need to justify an international order before I add that kit to the list.

 

[dml66]

@dml66

Thats great news. What was the issue in the end? the half-nut grub screw, apron alignment, leadscrew or a combination of all of the above?


@ChazzC

Great info! Looks to be as I expected it to be. Have been considering that kit for a while but I need to justify an international order before I add that kit to the list.T

@dml66

Thats great news. What was the issue in the end? the half-nut grub screw, apron alignment, leadscrew or a combination of all of the above?


@ChazzC

Great info! Looks to be as I expected it to be. Have been considering that kit for a while but I need to justify an international order before I add that kit to the list.

The guide, strangely enough, allowed me to see where the upper half-nut needed to be, I left it installed, it's not functional but it's not hurting anything. The apron alignment along with the grub screw setting made it all come together. Additionally, making adjustments at both ends was helpful. It's a bit of a fiddly alignment stack, the sweet spot is there, I just couldn't find it on my own.

 

[GrifterGuru]

The guide, strangely enough, allowed me to see where the upper half-nut needed to be, I left it installed, it's not functional but it's not hurting anything. The apron alignment along with the grub screw setting made it all come together. Additionally, making adjustments at both ends was helpful. It's a bit of a fiddly alignment stack, the sweet spot is there, I just couldn't find it on my own.

It can indeed be a pain to get that alignment stack sorted, but once you hit the sweet spot, as you have found, it all works well.

The half nuts themselves both engage, or should. They should both have pins in the back of them so they are actuated by the cam plate.

 

[ChazzC]

@ChazzC

Great info! Looks to be as I expected it to be. Have been considering that kit for a while but I need to justify an international order before I add that kit to the list.

I poked around onYT and found Stevohdee's various versions, plus a couple of other Mini-Lathe Lead Screw Covers (I like Stevoh's description better):

Here's a current listing for "Metal Appearing Cane" on Amazon (use at your own risk):