Steel for cross slide feed screw

[TheArkBuilder]

I've be looking for material to replace the cross slide feed screw on my lathe. The main steel I'm considering is 1144 but want to see what though lts people had

Thanks
Seth K.

 

[sdelivery]

Typically I buy acme rod from mcmaster Carr and either machine the journals on or bore and drill and taper pin the assembly together.
They have left hand as well as right hand in two grades.

 

[MrWhoopee]

1144 would be an excellent choice, good strength and machinability. What size thread is it? A small diameter Acme thread is a challenge to machine, you will probably need a follower rest to control deflection.

 

[SLK001]

You might want to consider a steel with some lead in it, like 12L14.

 

[TheArkBuilder]

Typically I buy acme rod from mcmaster Carr and either machine the journals on or bore and drill and taper pin the assembly together.
They have left hand as well as right hand in two grades.

That is a good Idea, although I was just looking and I need 7/16ths and they don't have it I may look around at other suppliers

 

[TheArkBuilder]

1144 would be an excellent choice, good strength and machinability. What size thread is it? A small diameter Acme thread is a challenge to machine, you will probably need a follower rest to control deflection.

It's 7/16ths in diameter and about 8 inches of thread

 

[TheArkBuilder]

You might want to consider a steel with some lead in it, like 12L14.

I thought about this for ease of machining but thought that the strength of 1144 would be good for wear resistance.

 

[benmychree]

Use Stressproof, it does not move around when cutting deep coarse threads.

 

[TheArkBuilder]

Use Stressproof, it does not move around when cutting deep coarse threads.

Okay that's was my guess, mcmaster confirms that 1144 is also known as "stressproof"

 

[Jeff.64]

Here is a good supplier.
I purchased from them around 12 years ago and was satisfied with the quality.

All: https://www.roton.com/products/all-lead-screws-nuts/engineering-data/

Inch: https://www.roton.com/products/acme-lead-screws-nuts/engineering-data/

Metric: https://www.roton.com/products/trapezoidal-lead-screws-nuts/engineering-data/

Hope this helps.