Hello:
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On Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 03:30 AM, Peter Brooks wrote:
... an ¡®improved¡¯ version of a cross slide
A closer look does not improve things much. (see attached blow-up)
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But yes, it would seem (?) that it is just a motorised carriage leadscrew.
I was hoping that someone had devised a relatively easy/practical way of disengaging the leadscrew but it seems it is not the case.
Not being an ACME thread (with all that it implies) does make it a rather difficult thing to implement.
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Still, the motorised leadscrew is not a bad idea.
One of the things I really dislike about the U3 is that moving the carriage out of the way is so cumbersome.
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What seems to be mounted on the carriage is part # 150.190 (top/compound slide holder).
One of the most expensive* U3 accesories, probably designed by a beancounter in a hurry to go to lunch.
ie: a bad design and even worse choice of material.
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Blue Ridge Machinery and Tools sold it for US$49.00 back when there was no email and traded through a 0800 + a PO Box (pre 1980?).
* Roughly the same price as the power feed #150.300 (US$51.00) and vice #150.310 (US$48.00) ?
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To get a relative idea of the amount: a loaded hot dog+small Coke in NYC (~ 35th and 3rd.) in 04/1980 cost me $1.00.
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But I digress ...
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Can anyone make out what has been done to the cross slide?
I see that a slide stop has been added, surgery done where the screw fits and a new handwheel installed.
Any ideas as to the handwheel?
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Best,
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JHM
