Clarke CL500M half nut conversion

Just thought I'd let any Clarke 430 or 500 lathe owners know about my half nut conversion I have just finished on my CL500M.

I've had the lathe for a few months now and its had lot of use in that time. I have been very pleased with the results I am getting from both the lathe and the mill. I have made a few mods so far, like converting the motor to a variable speed DC brushless motor and adding a reverse for the leadscrew to enable lefthand threading.

One issue I wanted to tackle since I got the machine is the lack of a half nut, which means the only way to move the carriage up and down the bed is by turning the feedscrew handle, which I find a slow and laborious job.

So I decided to make my own halfnut mechanism, which I made mostly using the lathe/mill and materials I had laying about.

Rather than explain how I went about it, here's a link to a YouTube video I made of the conversion. Hopefully it is OK to post this link but if it gets removed just search for Clarke CL500M half nut conversion on YouTube.

I am extremely pleased with the result and it makes sliding the carriage up and down the bed a breeze.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAKPhE9HisI&t=59s

I may add a rack and pinion gear at a later date although it operates fine without.

Hopefully this is helpful to someone else who fancies giving it a go!

Do you have any photos you could post here of the half nut mechanism?

I'd be interested in seeing how you've solved your problem.

...anyone know how to rotate a picture? Fir some reason when I upload them to an album it turns them upside down!??

Well done Stuart. Have you made any drawings? - though it should be relatively easy to follow your video. This is something I have intended to do for some time as winding the lead screw is tedious, and it solves the only shortcoming I have not yet addressed. JH

Thanks John. I haven't made any drawings but I can probably take some measurements if you need them

Hi Stuart, I intend to make this so some dimensions would help me scale and make a drawing. Perhaps block size and hole centre from top edge, and cam diameter would get me started. I think I can scale the rest to suit my material stock. PM me if you like. Many thanks. JH

I will take some measurements over the weekend and PM them to you John

Thanks Stuart, looks like it works well.

Well done Stuart

I have just bought a CL500m and just getting used to it and not sure how everything works (or not) just yet.

I was a Turner (25 years ago on Colchester Triumph 2000 lathe) so I should be able to manage this, but this is the most annoying limitation I have found so far.

Would you please post more details, as I am definitely keen to do this.

Regards

Danni

Your link...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAKPhE9HisI&t=59s

brings up ' No results found'

George.

Mechman - the link works fine. Maybe cut/paste it into browser

Yes the link works ok when copy & pasted.

regards

Thanks Danny

Let me know what info you need and I'll do my best to pm it to you. John Halfpenny ( another member on this forum) has just done the mod, so he might be able to chip in too! I've also added a hand wheel to quickly move the saddle up and down the bed, it's a bit more elegant than manually pushing it. I will post details of that mod once it's all finished.

Stu

Thanks Stuart

John has been helpful already and shared the drawing and other advice.

I need to make a cutting-list and order all materials, as I'm starting from scratch, and buy a few tools before I can get going. Its not going to be a cheap mod.

Damn - Just realised I need a 4-jaw chuck as well.

..... I got a 160mm 4 jaw independent chuck from Vevor uk and made a back plate to fit the Clarke. I think the chuck was £64 and the material for the back plate I think was £15, so not too expensive.

Glad John is helping you out with a drawing.

Stu

Thanks Stu really helpful

That looks like the most cost (new) effective solution

I dont suppose you remember what size blank you used for back plate?

Cheers

I hope it the right one: K72-160 160mm (6" 4 Jaw Metal Lathe Chuck Independent Jaws W Chuck Key

Could you confirm please Stu?