Hi Ron Yes, undoubtedly! On my ex-Emco I made a device to do this (see my last email!), and when I get around to screwcutting on the little lathe (maybe next year!?) I will make some such method. Cheers! Hubert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Head" <ron.head@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 8:21 PM Subject: [modeleng] Re: Screwcutting > Hi Hubert > > I presume that before you reverse the lathe, you withdraw the tool a short > way - otherwise the backlash on the leadscrew would cut a double thread? > > Regards > Ron > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Shep" <shep.28@xxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 12:15 PM > Subject: [modeleng] Re: Screwcutting > > >> Hi Ron >> >> In the little lathe I am building from scratch, I deliberately planned >> the >> leadscrew engagement lever on the left (as in Myford). My reasons are >> that >> you are using the saddle hand wheel much more than the screwcutting >> lever - >> so that the incidence of hot swarf is proportionately greater when plain >> turning with the handwheel, than with screwcutting. You pays your money >> and you make your choice! >> >> On the Emco 10 lathe, which I had before I got the Hardinge (which has a >> very nifty screwcutting system) I used to reverse the lathe, rather than >> disengage the leadscrew after each screwcutting pass. I made a very >> simple slide, which stopped the cross-slide at the exact previous >> setting, >> after withdrawing, reversing and resetting. I had a micrometer barrel >> acting against this, with a ratchet with 'thou' clicks. On resetting, >> a >> few clicks and you were ready for the next cut - if you see what I mean. >> This was far simpler to make, than a retracting device. >> I may have a pic of this somewhere, if anyone is interested. >> >> This system of reversing, instead of disengaging, obviates any problems >> with, for instance, cutting metric threads on an Imperial machine; and >> solves the hot swarf problem! >> >> Cheers! Hubert > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, > modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > line. MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.