Member postings for AJW

Thanks for the info, I thought I had read a thou per inch bore but couldn't find it.

I cheated and bought my rings but for a 38mm bore, I think they were for a chainsaw engine so my Centaur was bored 38mm instead of 1 1/2 inch to suit.

When fitting the rings this afternoon I found the that without touching them gave a 0.010 gap! Not quite what I had in mind.

I have assembled the engine with the (large) gaps opposite each other and will see what happens.

I guess the rings I got hold of are 'plug and go'!?

Might have to find some others or make my own.

Alan

I shall be fitting the rings to my Centaur engine shortly and am wondering about the gap that I should aim for as the construction drawings don't give this a mention.

It's only got two compression rings in a 1.5 inch bore, is there a recommended figure?

Alan

I usually take photos with my phone of machining progress but have been unable to post but something must have changed as I am hopefully posting a photo of Centaurs progress with a first trial assembly!

Alan

Clive, interesting point you made about using the mount off your vertical slide. I have just modded my cross slide with the thrust bearing assembly (see my other post) and while my cross slide was out of action I thought I would fit the one from my vertical slide, but it was different and wasn't a direct transfer?

I managed to use it by clamping it on the end of the cross slide with milling clamps!

Alan

Not sure how the die cast (mazak?) type material for the nut would be heat treated?

Alan

That's great then! I thought I might have had .003 of wear in the nut/leadscrew, but if they could have been like that from new! I was considering a new nut to try and reduce the clearance.

I always keep the cross and compound screws/slides well lubed my favourite being Castrol graphite grease I guess it has paid off over the years.

So far I can recommend the thrust bearing mod it makes for a different 'feel' but in a good way.

Alan

I have just fitted the Arc Euro needle thrust bearings and ball race to my ML7 cross slide machining the end casting as prescribed.

All went together nicely, gave the thrust bearings a slight pre load and all feels good.

I have measured the endfloat on the cross slide which shows I have 0.003 in of wear in the leadscrew/nut assembly, I thought that wasn't too bad?

I fitted a new long cross slide and feed screw probably 30 years ago but the nut is original from 1951!

Alan