Wandering cross slide - South Bend 9A

[Tony Wells]

I'd like to see a dial indicator mounted on the carriage and bearing against the toolpost. If the slack/backlash in the X lead screw is the culprit, or the tool is sucking into the work, it should show on the indicator. If it is the entire carriage shifting, it will appear that the toolpost stays put, at east relative to the carriage.

I'm in agreement with Bill, I don't like backlash. Unfortunately, there are times that you can't do much (practically) about it. I've not gone to the trouble to reduce it to 0.001 on any of my machines, but it sure would make it nice. I just get used to it I guess.

 

[martik777]

My understanding of those shoes is that they just engage the clutch, mine are clean and show little wear.

Tony:

There is no movement on the DI mounted on the carriage against the toolpost when cutting. When placed against the carriage, there is +/- .005 during the cut but I think this is just vibration.

I took a another 20 or so cuts and still no problem with digging in but I did notice sometimes when I turn the dial .001 no material is being removed, dial in another .001 and then about .001 is removed.

 

[martik777]

martik777,

Well isn't this frustrating and anoying.
I (we) are only trying to help, but if I may ask a couple of questions.

1) When it cuts the extra .010" or so, is this at the start of the cut.
2) Does the cross slide handle move to show this extra .010" cut.
;0
DaveH

1. It was the whole cut

2. As I said, I dialed it in .005 and it took off .015 or so, whether it moved on its own I don't know

Since I still can't reproduce the overcut, I think I must have bumped the compound dial accidently, time will tell.

 

[martik777]

"since my chest has dropped 10 to 12 inches in the past ten years or so"

Geez, I thought you were a guy Bill! lol

Here's a good photo of those shoes (5th one down): http://steammachine.com/hercus/page5.html