T slots

Hi all just a quickie, are the T slots on a ML7 the same size as on an ML 10 ?

Yes and the Super 7.

Thanks Chris

I have always found it annoying how much oily swarf clogs up the T slops on my Lathe cross slides, which isn't always easy to brush out

I found someone who can 3D print 'in-fill' strips at a very reasonable cost to your own accurate profile drawing and lengths

As an example I ordered 3 lengths to suit my WM250 cross slide to my own bespoke drawing, he created the STL file as needed and made them for £10 inc postage which I thought wasn't excessive.

If anyone is interested please PM me for the contact details

Thanks,

Steve

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 08/03/2021 18:39:20

There are a few sellers on ebay doing them in most pretty colours or grey. From memory for the Super 7 etc £11 for a set of 5.

Steve.

annoying

For a mill, I lay a thin sheet of material either side of the vise or under the item, if clamped to the bed. Little need for slot cleaning, if placed at the right position?

Mill or turn dry?

Vacuum it out before it becomes a solid morass?

Lathe cross slides are not that wide? Make a suitable T shaped scraper to clean them out - brushing will likely spread it all over the bed.

They say you can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg; getting chips is all part of machining.

I made T slot fillers for the Myford, only mine are mahogany.

regards Martin

Edited By Martin Kyte on 08/03/2021 22:13:06

Mahogany, eh? There's posh!

I cut a T-shaped scraper for the mill, from a bit of 3mm PVC sheet. Otherwise I just use brushes.

Just been making these tonight. Ready to paint tomorrow.

Steve.

Hi Stevei,

Very nice protectors for the mill table ! I'm just about to make some new ones for mine !

I've just fitted a set of scales for the DRO on mine and am doing some servicing whilst I'm at it. Surprising what you find when you start stripping a Chinese mill to bits.

I'm about to investigate sorting out the quill bearings ! They feel fine in the machine, but quite lumpy with the quill out and turned by hand.

Edited By John Baron on 09/03/2021 07:28:48

Get some good SKF or Timkens. All bearings are NOT created equal! You might as well do it while you have it apart. Bearings are cheap enough, even the top quality ones.

+1 on Hopper's comment. I got my lad one of those mini motorcycles, many years ago. The wheel bearings packed in pretty quick. When stripped, the bearing could be filed they were so soft. Good thing was they were all available in standard size Fag bearings.

Steve.

Ha ha. Nothing wrong with chinese bearings. Everything coming out of China is quality. Of some description....

Just look at the quality of THESE bearings.😀

https://youtu.be/AvF5ETQfm8o

Yep. Enough said.

Steve.

One way of cleaning T slots is to make up a tool from sheet steel, where the bottom end is a close fit in the the T slot. Moving the tool along the slot pushes the swarf ahead of the tool and out of the slot.

Howard

This cover works a treat , just lifts off. I forget to replace it sometimes then really appreciate what a good job it does.

Anyone tried flexible magnetic sheet. I have some somewhere and was thinking of trying this but have never got around to it.....

Matt

I try and avoid anything magnetic around the lathe (and mill too, if I had one). Makes ferrous debris that much harder to shift.

Rob

Edit - have a friend whose Super 7 has wooden T-slot fillers.

Edited By Grindstone Cowboy on 09/03/2021 17:36:52

I’ve just ordered a set of these to keep the slots clean.

There is a really nice design for Super 7 T slot closers on Thingiverse. It was one of the first things I made when I got my 3D printer. At first sight I thought there was a fault with the printer because it was producing a slight bump on the side. When I looked carefully at the model I discovered it was a deliberate bump to hold it in place. So the part slides in easily and the bump engages to hold it tight and stop slipping. Works brilliantly.

Peter