Copyright 2011. figNoggle Designs.

7x10, 7x12, 7x14 Mini-Lathe Information

Website Links
Post a link to your website or view other hobby and machine and metalworking websites for free.

Rent Mill & Lathe DVDs at Smartflix | Great aluminum & steel prices at OnlineMetals

SIEG X2 MINI MILL

  1. MINI MILL HOME
  2. DRO
  3. CNC V1 - CNC V2
  4. STUFFMADE - REDUX
  5. HOW-TOS
HOW-TO Modify Stock Lead Nuts To Reduce Backlash

What's backlash? Click here.

Reducing backlash in the stock nut and acme screw. It's a quick fix that fixes little. Mine went from 0.015" to 0.009". According to the DRO and controller software it's 0.002" but I don't believe it. I get varying results from multiple runs of tests. Will post them later.

update: we have decided to upgrade the stock leadscrew and brass nut with a higher quality ACME and acetal/delrin anti-backlash nuts made in-house.

y-axis nut
stock nut.

tap through 6x32. (x2).
cut in half.
the saw blade's crooked.
countersink to allow flush screw heads.
mounted to screw. note index cards sandwiched in there. better to use shim stock.
x-axis (or version 2)
i had to take the nut out so there was no x-axis movement by screw. it's a quick .030" off the top.
here's what it looks like.
drill the holes about 3/4" of the way through. see the black mark.
bandsawing here. note the angle.
cut it down past half of the acme thread.

because of the limited space at the top of the nut where the fillets are, it's not a good idea to put two screws next to the hole (the best way), so a compromise is made.

ok it's finished with the 10-24 set screws. when you thread in, the nut splits apart creating a quasi-anti-backlash nut action. this works better than a complete split of the nut (as i had done in the y-axis).

in having the split at the bottom, the problem becomes having the two locking set screws pushing against the halves, thereby negating (slightly) the effect of the split preload to begin with.

 

Looking for mini-mill help and how-tos? How about lathe help and how-tos?

We're prototyping a benchtop CNC vertical mill using the DigiSpeed-XL interface card for Mach, Dart Controls and KB Electronics KBIC/KBMM 90VDC motor controllers, 1.5HP treadmill motor from Surplus Center and a R8-spindle head from the X2 mini-mill - not to mention Gecko servo drives and an entirely closed-loop system. Come take a look!

CNC 8x12 Lathe
Check out our newest developments like the CNC/DRO 8x12/8x14 lathe using Gecko drives, break-out board, NEMA 34 step motors, DRO and more!

SUPERX3.COM
Sieg X3 and Super X3 Grizzly G0463 Info

MDAHacks.com
T-Mobile MDA / Cingular 8125 / HTC Wizard Hacks, Tweaks, Tips, Tricks and More!

Metal Working FAQ.NET
Your source for metalworking and machining, tips, tricks, and more. Over 50 content wiki sites!