Leadscrew concertina bellows.

Further to my ML7 restoration, I am hoping to find some sort of concertina bellows to protect the leadscrew.

I need to make my ML7 last as long as I do!

Thanks,

Andrew.

Some lathes use a sort of wound sheet metal spring. It prevents the saddle getting close to the headstock so them people take them off. Perhaps you can look around for someone wanting to get rid of it.

Something like this? **LINK**

Note the price!

My lathe has the wound spring type of guard, many time I have thought of removing it. Like every time I turn a chuck back plate or do faceplate work. The combination of guard and its housing means big overhang on the cutting tool.

Is that a spiral spring or what? It looks almost like a series of interlocking short tube sections such as those fold-up plastic teacups they used to sell for picnics etc. Wonder if you could roll-form something like that. It wouldn't actually need a joined seam

Dyson vac tubes.

See here: **LINK**

Problem is most lathes today have their design history well back. As an example the Series 7 Myford's all date back to 1947, a time span of 69 years.

Even the larger generic 12 x 36 and 14 x 40 Chinese lathes were roughly modeled on the Harrison M300 series which came out in about 1970

All of these were designed before guards came in and consequently none of them made room for a spring guard.

Edited By DMB on 07/12/2016 00:07:09

I don't know if we are allowed to link to this site on here, if not then maybe the moderators could remove this post and I will say sorry in advance.

I saw this idea and thought it was a good quick and cheap solution.

**LINK**

It may suit you, have a look and see.

**LINK**

**LINK**

I think there are other suppliers, but can't recall the names at the moment.

They can work well, but are not without "issues". The closed size mentioned above is one - you need space to fit them & the centereing cup / spigot they require. In operation, they tend to stick when they get oily & they can be "interesting" to fit. Better than bellows in a horizontal application, though, as bellows tend to get caught in the thread of screws & eventually tear.

Nigel B

Bander - it is a spiral of spring steel.

John

.

I think that style is mostly used for Z-axiz ... My 'le Locle' pantograph machine has one, but the assembly would probably be too loose for horizontal use.

MichaelG.

I've just realised I have about 10" of 2" long telescoping tubes that came from a fluffy duster. They are a bit stiff but could easily be attached to my existing simple aluminium swarf deflector. They would close up when near the headstock and have to be opened up by hand.

The smallest tube is a bit larger than a film canister and they increase in size by about 1/8 inch.

This is it, I can't find a pic of just the cover:

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 07/12/2016 09:06:02

Thanks gentleman,

Plenty of good ideas there and also some issues that had not occurred to me. I like the sound of the modified steel rule. Ok it does not cover the leadscrew completely, but it is an excellent 90% solution, far better than nothing at all.

Neils duster sounds a good idea too. I will mull all the suggestions over and stick the nail in the wall!

Thanks again,

Andrew.

The tapered compression springs will all reduce available length.
Considering the price of them its cheaper to buy a new lead screw in 40 yrs time used daily. Plus can see any wear and oil accordingly.

Tape measure sounds good but will have to constantly keep clear any debris entering tape housing = impossible. Tapes don't last that long either before packing up.

Andrew, This company can help, they made the leadscrew cover for my DSG www.dynatect.com.

You would be best with Gortiflex moulded bellows. They might have something "off the shelf " that would suit,but I rather doubt it. if not you need to send them a drawing of what you require [ all details of the info they need are on the website ] Superb products, very spendy if you need one custom made [ as in my case ] but well worth the expense.

As John says if the lathe is designed for a spring guard there should be no restriction at the head stock, as my Myford 254s shows, I have had this lathe from new and the spring guard has not given any trouble.

Mike.

Another thought Andrew. In the next week or so I'll call at the big toy shop where I get my stuff from and I'll see if they have spare covers for some of the Chinese lathes they stock. Could easily send it over if they have it.

DH

Hello Dallas,

Now what do I do? I reckon I have 10 years left so do I just keep the lead screw clean (plus the half nuts!) and let my heirs worry about lead screw wear? Or do I take up your offer of keeping a lookout for something suitable on your next toyshop visit?

If you do spot something suitable let me know and I will send the necessary shekels!

Best wishes,

Andrew.