Balls!!

So my mill is missing a few 'tightening levers' for locking the quill and the motor in place. They seem simple enough to make. Can you buy the small balls to go on the end? I was hoping for something around 20mm threaded to say m6. If anyone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Cheers Colin

Hi Colin

Just had a search on Ebay for "plastic ball handles" and there's quite a choice available.

Rob

Hi Colin, Balls

Regards Nick.

I found quite an extensive range on Aliexpress. Various sizes available. Some with threaded brass inserts, some without. The ones I have are a hard plastic ( phenolic resin? ). The colour range is a bit limited, but OK if you like red or black.

I'm not sure what size mill you have but you could find 20 mm a little small. 30 - 40 mm seem to be more common on machine tools.

Hope this helps

Pero

I used to buy from Radio spares for cross slide locks and tool post handles. Both round and tapered.

Thanks everyone. I've not got a wide choice of balls!!

It's a bridgeport. Thanks for the advice

Look at the WDS catalogue online.

Now that we know that is a Bridgeport, if the knobs are screw fit, rather than interference, the threads are unlikely to be Metric.

Some of the Bridgeport owners on here should be able to tell you the dimensions.

You will need to say which knobs are missing or damaged.

Howard

I think Colin is making the handles as well, so he can thread the ends to suit metric balls if needed.

Rob

New Myford Pack Of 10 Machine Balls / Knobs Threaded 3/16" Whitworth BSW Thread | eBay

10 Solid Forged Mild Steel Metal Solid Fabrication Balls Spheres Gates 10mm-70mm | eBay

The first pack of the Solid Forged Mild Steel Metal Solid Fabrication Balls were very smooth, my second order they were quite rough.

Good luck...........

Here are some more in stainless steel:

**LINK**