- Joined
- Jan 10, 2019
- Messages
- 1,220
If I adjust the split nut on my Webb TSL-800 so that backlash is "about right" mid-travel, it binds as I move away from there. That tells me that the nut isn't the problem, it's that the leadscrew is worn in the center travel area. At first I figured "how hard can it be", just order replace the leadscrew, but that was before finding that it's a really odd 7/8-8 left hand Acme thread. It's odd enough that it's been really challenging to find anyone who carries it. Google-foo turned up a few names. Huyett has it on their site but say they don't carry it (okay, then remove it from your site already...). Green Bay Machinery was contacted, but no word back yet. Roton and Nook sell leadscrews, but not that size.
I would rather get the correct size leadscrew instead of adapting a different size and making a custom nut, as it seems like more work than necessary. If the right size can't be found, however, it means either living with the backlash as-is, or taking the plunge into another project. (Also, there's the issue of needing to machine bits of a lathe that's been partially disassembled. Hah.) Yet another choice is cutting my own leadscrew, but I don't have a full set of change gears - which if I ever build it, the electronic leadscrew would solve, but I digress.
I would rather get the correct size leadscrew instead of adapting a different size and making a custom nut, as it seems like more work than necessary. If the right size can't be found, however, it means either living with the backlash as-is, or taking the plunge into another project. (Also, there's the issue of needing to machine bits of a lathe that's been partially disassembled. Hah.) Yet another choice is cutting my own leadscrew, but I don't have a full set of change gears - which if I ever build it, the electronic leadscrew would solve, but I digress.