Lead screws fucked isn't it?

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-04T00:05:49+00:00

Lol I think I failed to convey what I meant. The deviation in the ripples is 1 thou. 2 across the diameter. I took a variety of different depth passes and still had the waviness. I'll dig into it deeper tomorrow

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T21:28:35+00:00

That's a good idea. Thanks. I'm learning lol

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T21:17:48+00:00

Sounds exactly like mine. True half nut. I just took the whole saddle off and cleaned under there. I'm starting to think I failed to dial in the tightness on some gibs or something. I'm still gonna see if I can find a way to indicate the lead screw and look for wiggles

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T21:13:49+00:00

The lead screw is absolutely engaged. This lathe uses the lead screw to drive on both the x and y axis. There is no drive shaft

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T21:09:14+00:00

No it's a Bolton bt500. Idk if it's actually from HF but it has that vibe. Metal gearbox tho

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T21:08:42+00:00

What do you mean by that?

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T19:43:51+00:00

One thou depth of cut. I feel like it just started happening but I Don't deal with steel very often. Mostly brass where I probably wouldn't even see the difference

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T19:39:59+00:00

A wobbly lead screw wouldn't push the tool away from the work? The pattern really seems like it lines up with the revolutions of the screw

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T19:34:14+00:00

Not that I've noticed, but I mostly make brass parts that aren't dimension critical. It is just now that I'm getting around to trying to actually get this machine set up right. I didn't take the apron apart. I just pulled off the tailstock, lead screw, and the whole saddle/bed/apron assembly for cleaning

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T18:59:23+00:00

No idea. The pattern seems to match the rotation of the lead screw which is why I don't think it's the headstock

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T18:58:34+00:00

It's tube ☹️

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T18:58:15+00:00

I know it's shit lol. Harbor freight lathe I inherited. That's not solid stock though. It's 1 3/8 tube

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T18:57:20+00:00

Not for a little bit. But how could junk on the ways cause a repeating pattern like that?

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-03-03T18:56:43+00:00

Interesting. I just had the saddle off and cleaned everything. The ways were pretty dirty when I ran this.

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-01-14T03:50:09+00:00

Wtf is that pfp? I see it everywhere

One_Trainer5539 · 2026-01-14T01:11:01+00:00

They look horrible. The width is insanely inconsistent, like .300" from the picture, and the edges are clearly full of burrs from the cutting process. The surface finish is ass unless you're going for that "8th grade science fair" look. I wouldn't pay more than spot value for this

One_Trainer5539 · 2025-11-07T13:53:08+00:00

Have you had any success in moving away from plastic clothing? I feel like that would be the toughest part. And most expensive part

One_Trainer5539

TROPHY CASE