Top slide std positioning

I keep mine parallel to the bed as I have no scales on my carriage so it is useful for shoulders and facing cuts. I don't bother to set it any more accurately than the zero mark. I am not averse to moving it for any task that needs it and if it fouls the tailstock.

Mike

Taught by the Royal Navy many years ago, it was always a requirement to leave a machine in a certain state on the completion of training.

The top (compound) slide was always left at 90 degrees to the bed, no reason given - it just was!

Just imagine how untidy it would look if 130 odd lathes were all left in different states.

Can't bring myself to leave it in any other condition today.

Regards

Lofty

Probably so no-one would assume it was set parallel when it was actually set to a fine taper.

A good policy when different people use the same machine.

Neil

So, it's a score draw at half time then....

Parallel to the bed every time except when machining angles.

I run mine parallel to the bed except for turning angles and threading. I suspect that a large factor in preference is how much work it is to change the angle, whether there's a scale on the topslide base and what sort of toolpost is being used. A retractable topslide, like those used in Hardinge lathes, or the G. H. Thomas one, encourages the topslide to be set over for threading because it makes it so easy.

Edited By Mark Rand on 13/03/2018 20:45:16

I asked one of the ancient and wise today, and apparently its to do with the cutting load being placed on the gibs during longitudinal cuts and not the compound slide screw thread when said compound is at 90 degrees to the bed.

Amazing really that after all these years we just took it for granted, and never bothered asking the question.

Regards

Lofty