Thread: How tight to adjust the way guides on the saddle?

Hey Guys, was just looking at my Roller Bearings that hold the saddle tight to the bed, and wondered how tight they should be, I just notice that when I would move the bed, I I held my finger on the guide bearing it would stop rolling in certain areas of the bed, mostly in the high use area closer to the spindle. So I adjusted them so they are tighter, but I feel they could be too tight as it is considerably harder to move the bed now. Any thoughts?

The rollers are there to keep the carriage from lifting off the bed, in case of heavy cuts, accident, etc. I adjust mine where they can just be spun under slight tension with the fingers. I would not tighten them down to where they cause undo tightness in the carriage travel. It gets problematic when you have uneven worn bedways, and I would adjust to achieve the best compromise without drag. BTW when I first got my EE, the rollers didn't get close to touching, even at full eccentric.

Why didn't eccentric touch? Eccentrics worn, bearing worn, or bed worn? Mine do adjust fine, lots of adjustment either way, but I def notice that the high use area of the bed seems to be a bit lower than the rest. The Saddle gets tighter as you move really close to the spindle, or towards the end of the bed.

It is a combination of bed and saddle wear that effects the gib bearing contact. The best way to reduce this, is to make sure the apron oil pump is working, and to keep the wipers clean.
Harry

Thanks Harry!