I was using my small lathe last night and locked the carriage several times during the job that I was working on .
Then after completing most of the work I went to lock it again , but the screw kept on turning , no big deal I thought , just finish the face off by holding the carriage in place with right hand and turn the compound with left hand.
Job now finished.
Took the carriage apart , and after some frustration of having to work on a machine designed by some A^%$le who never had to dismantle a machine in their life.
The "carriage lock "was simply an extension of a piece of cast iron bolted to the underside of the carriage , what a joke , Now I have to make a STEEL part which wont snap when used ,
I am not someone who will blindly follow the manufacturers or anyone elses use of fragile material in an area which gets used daily .
Cast iron is ok in large castings with bulk but for thin items which are or could be subject to stress I will always use a more suitable material.
Michael
Then after completing most of the work I went to lock it again , but the screw kept on turning , no big deal I thought , just finish the face off by holding the carriage in place with right hand and turn the compound with left hand.
Job now finished.
Took the carriage apart , and after some frustration of having to work on a machine designed by some A^%$le who never had to dismantle a machine in their life.
The "carriage lock "was simply an extension of a piece of cast iron bolted to the underside of the carriage , what a joke , Now I have to make a STEEL part which wont snap when used ,
I am not someone who will blindly follow the manufacturers or anyone elses use of fragile material in an area which gets used daily .
Cast iron is ok in large castings with bulk but for thin items which are or could be subject to stress I will always use a more suitable material.
Michael
Comment