10EE T-slot cross slide

[CowDriver]

I would like to have a t-slotted cross slide for my 10EE for some of my model making. As far as I can tell, it was never a Monarch (or anyone else) product, so I will have to make my own. I've got a block of cast iron that I think would be perfect for this. Years ago I machined one for my Logan 200 using a casting from Metal Lathe Accessories and it went well, but this would be entirely from scratch.

Does anyone here know of anyone who has done such a project? What was the outcome?
Is this such a totally stupid idea that that is the reason it hasn't been done before?
What snakepit of problems am I getting myself into?

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice that you can give me.

 

[BugRobotics]

I don't think it's a terrible idea as long as you have a reason for doing so and you don't compromise too much of the cross slide rigidity with the t-slots. I'm interested to hear what kind of accessories you were thinking of adding to make use of the t-slot system. Good luck with the build if you decide to go that route.

I had a t-slot table on my Emco Super 11 and it was nice in that you could easily mount a grinding head (that's what I used it for a few times anyway).

 

[Steve in SoCal]

There were never T-slots BUT, there was a dovetail to mount a tool post on some cross-slides. Several folks have made dovetails to mount on the cross-slide then have a t-slot plate on the dovetail?

Here is a bad pic of a dovetail on my lathe.

 

[rimcanyon]

Monarch made a t-slotted platen for 10EE Manufacturing Lathes, but it would be extremely difficult to find. This is from a catalog flier dated 10/46, but the photo shows a Round Dial. Here is a catalog photo:



They also made a two-position cross slide with 2 T-slots at each end (4 total). It was an accessory for the 10EE Mfg. Lathe with a turret. This photo is the cover of a 1946 catalog flyer:



Here are some better pictures of the 2-position cross slide, taken from the Monarch Uni-Matic catalog (same machine as above but with hyrdraulically operated turret):

 

[CowDriver]

BugRobotics: Thanks for the confirmation that this isn't a totally bad idea. I don't think the T-slots will compromise the rigidity too much, the cast iron blank is 2.25 inches thick.​

Steve in SoCal: That dovetail is a clever idea. It looks like yours is an original part of the cross slide, is that right? It looks like mounting a dovetail on the top of the cross slide is pretty straight-forward. I may try that first and see how it works. It would certainly save a lot of time, both in fabrication and switching between cross slides. It would also allow me to quickly and easily mount a rear tool post. I guess I just have to be careful where I drill the mounting holes in the cross slide. :-) I hate the idea of drilling holes in a genuine Monarch cross slide, but I was going to have to do it for mounting a DRO scale anyway.​

rimcanyon: Wow, I had no idea that option existed! I guess it goes to prove the old Internet saying that the best way to get a correct answer is to post an incorrect one. :-) :-)

I'll post photos when I actually get around to doing this project.

Thanks all,
Alan

 

[neilho]

There are many cross slides around, made for turret or mfg lathes. Seems like it might be less work to buy a cross slide and adapt it to an EE.

Qualifier: I'm not an EE guy and may be missing something...

 

[rimcanyon]

Or buy a 10EE cross slide and machine T-slots in it. I have an extra cross slide if that option has any interest for you. $150 plus shipping.