Trboatworks
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2010
- Location
- Maryland- USA
Ok- I am going to start complaining about this before I have enough information but....
I am setting up this Wadkin pattern makers mill and ran into an odd problem on the X table travel.
The table glides like it is on ice when extended to either side.
When brought to center it gradually tightens up- very symmetric binding- not a spot but a smooth symmetric transition from free to binding.
Not extreme- feels like stiction and if on a run you can power right past it but for use about the center of travel it is too much in comparison to how free the table is to each side.
I have the gibs free and if checked when binding they are still loose.
I just tore everything down so all parts are perfectly clean and well lubed.
The table is a bit odd?:
Feed on the X is done by a rack and pinion arrangement with a four start thread on pinion.
The whole machine is closely fitted so my first thought is that with table wear the settled table is binding the rack when in most used portion in center of travel.
I just got this together last night so will investigate today- first thing I will do is look at the rack to see if wheel backlash varies across travel and if so I will pull the pinion and see if that sorts table glide.
I don't have a iron straightedge of correct sort but do have a heavy Starrett precision rule which could be used as a quick check.
The table is a bit heavy so shifting it off machine is a not a casual affair so I think I would wait till I buy a dovetail straightedge before I remove again.
This is the mill:
Thoughts?
Thanks all
I am setting up this Wadkin pattern makers mill and ran into an odd problem on the X table travel.
The table glides like it is on ice when extended to either side.
When brought to center it gradually tightens up- very symmetric binding- not a spot but a smooth symmetric transition from free to binding.
Not extreme- feels like stiction and if on a run you can power right past it but for use about the center of travel it is too much in comparison to how free the table is to each side.
I have the gibs free and if checked when binding they are still loose.
I just tore everything down so all parts are perfectly clean and well lubed.
The table is a bit odd?:
Feed on the X is done by a rack and pinion arrangement with a four start thread on pinion.
The whole machine is closely fitted so my first thought is that with table wear the settled table is binding the rack when in most used portion in center of travel.
I just got this together last night so will investigate today- first thing I will do is look at the rack to see if wheel backlash varies across travel and if so I will pull the pinion and see if that sorts table glide.
I don't have a iron straightedge of correct sort but do have a heavy Starrett precision rule which could be used as a quick check.
The table is a bit heavy so shifting it off machine is a not a casual affair so I think I would wait till I buy a dovetail straightedge before I remove again.
This is the mill:
Thoughts?
Thanks all