There's quick-and-dirty solutions, like this oneA very mundane question, I know, but how does one discover where the wear is in an ACME thread rod and nut?
No question, the pair are a bit in trouble! The rod is the 1/2" x 10TPI left-hand ACME used on a tailstock.
Thanks Chuck. Now that is an option I had not considered - and why not? This time, given that the whole quill was wrecked by earlier misadventure before I got the lathe, and has to be re-made anyway, a new nut is to be part of that. I am using one reasonably condition South Bend 9C lathe to fix up parts on the less fortunate SB-9A.Cutting acme threads is no more difficult than cutting 60 degree threads. Once you get past the chatter you'll make it work. If it were me, I would cut the screw to fit the worn nut.
Wow! This one is quicker and dirtier than most! Perhaps not-so-dirty, given how "clean" things need to be to make it work. I will keep it in mind. This time, I am going to at least try for the "make it from scratch" solution as a starter.There's quick-and-dirty solutions, like this one
<https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/south-bend-lathes/quickie-repair-worn-crossfeed-nuts-273712/>
but maybe there's a second cause: the thrust bearing in the tailstock could be the loose element,
it'd have the same play effect as if the threads were worn.