Steel for crosslide screw

I would suggest 1144, Stressproof, or Fatigueproof. Good strength and machinability.

First question is it worth it ? I bought a 1 metre length of 16 x4mm pitch left hand leadscrew very cheaply.

It was enough to make three cross slide screws, I also bought 2 bronze nuts to suit. All for just over £50. I now have a new screw and nut fitted a spare screw and nut ready to fit and enough screw to make another left over. Google lead screw lots of suppliers, I used Automotion Components. Not sure if they do imperial sizes but others do. If the spare 16x4 LH is any use to you let me know.

Edited By sean logie on 06/12/2016 17:33:15

Turning the thread off an inch or two of acme threaded rod to make a spigot then cutting the old thread off the stepped part before drilling to match the spigot so the new thread can be fixed in works fine. I've done it 4 times now with no trouble on Boxford / Southbend size mchines. I silver soldered the thread in place but other folk report that high strength loctite works fine. Just need to be careful and accurate with the drilling. I always had another lathe available and/or worked on duplicate components which reduced the stress somewhat compared to operating on your one and only machine.

Clive.

I to have powered cross feed on my 14"x40" lathe, It was a simple job to cut off the old worn threaded part, face and bore the remains of the existing piece and turn a spigot on the new screw. I used Loctite and a 3mm roll pin to secure the new piece. This was done around February when I made a complete new cross slide, very happy with it since.