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Boxford cross slide dial grub screws

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Stuart C22/03/2011 10:21:19
20 forum posts
While checking over the lathe and making some adjustments I found that the cross slide dial has 2 grub screws set at 90 degrees, they both have springs underneath but nothing else, and the springs look a bit chewed up.
 
Has anybody dismantled one of these and knows what the proper setup should be on this.
As I think this may not be the original cross slide for this machine, it may be that this is not the original dial and there are hacksaw marks on the face of the small diameter part of this dial as if it has been cut down to length at some point in it's past.
 

Ian S C22/03/2011 10:35:34
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7468 forum posts
230 photos
Stuart, perhaps a brass slug to bare on the shaft, maybe some one lost it, or forgot to put it back. Ian S C
Stuart C22/03/2011 10:45:28
20 forum posts
That's what I was thinking, maybe if/when they cannibalised some other machine, in the process of moving it over, both copper or brass slugs fell out.
 
Another question though is why have the springs, I would have thought that the idea was to hold the dial in position on the shaft, which of course if you make use of the springs the grub screws won't do that.
 
That's why I'm wondering if this is completely the wrong dial for the machine. Any Boxford owners out there who can have a look. I will also check the one I have up for sale.
blowlamp22/03/2011 11:27:53
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1885 forum posts
111 photos
I'm not at my machine at the moment, but I think it should have either a couple of brass slugs or ball bearings in there.
 
 
Martin.
 
 
Stuart C22/03/2011 11:46:30
20 forum posts
Just checked the other one and it has only one grub screw and just seems to have a brass slug at the bottom.
 
Posted by blowlamp on 22/03/2011 11:27:53:
I'm not at my machine at the moment, but I think it should have either a couple of brass slugs or ball bearings in there.
 
 
Martin.
 
 
Thanks Martin, ball bearings wouldn't be any use as it needs to be secured onto the screwed shaft for accurate machining with the cross slide.
 
So I think I'll make a couple of brass slugs and do away with the springs, seems pretty clear that this dial is not originally off this machine.
,22/03/2011 11:54:31
41 forum posts
1 photos
Hi Stuart,
That is most definately the correct dial for a Boxford.
There is a brass disc under each spring which bears on the feedscrew shaft with the springs being adjusted by the grubscrews to allow you to turn the dial to zero to save mental arithmetic. The screws are tightened until the dial can still be turned by hand but stay where it is while you are turning the handle. The springs often get compressed and need replacing due to overtightening - these springs should be waisted i.e the top and bottom diameters are larger than the middle and might still be available from Boxfords (get a second mortgage!) - alternatively use a spring that is a loose fit in the hole and dont overtighten them. It can be a bit of a fiddle to get them right but it is worth it as it makes using the machine so much easier.
Roger Woollett22/03/2011 12:27:43
148 forum posts
6 photos
You might try replacing the springs with short rods of PTFE. Make them a loose fit in the threaded holes.
I did this on a Warco lathe to make the dials resetable.
Stuart C22/03/2011 16:07:26
20 forum posts
Hi Kinlet,
thanks for the info, that makes sense, I suppose only the handle needs to actually be secured to the feedscrew, as you say, the dial could just be tight enough to turn with the handle but loose enough to be adjusted by hand. Now I get it. I'll have a good look at the springs and see if they are serviceable, otherwise I'll try Rogers idea.
 
Thanks again.
Stuart.

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