Clarke CL500M half nut conversion

This topic has 59 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 17 June 2021 at 18:55 by Danni Burns.

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22 April 2021 at 22:39 #541140
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
Just thought I'd let any Clarke 430 or 500 lathe owners know about my half nut conversion I have just finished on my CL500M.

I've had the lathe for a few months now and its had lot of use in that time. I have been very pleased with the results I am getting from both the lathe and the mill. I have made a few mods so far, like converting the motor to a variable speed DC brushless motor and adding a reverse for the leadscrew to enable lefthand threading.

One issue I wanted to tackle since I got the machine is the lack of a half nut, which means the only way to move the carriage up and down the bed is by turning the feedscrew handle, which I find a slow and laborious job.

So I decided to make my own halfnut mechanism, which I made mostly using the lathe/mill and materials I had laying about.

Rather than explain how I went about it, here's a link to a YouTube video I made of the conversion. Hopefully it is OK to post this link but if it gets removed just search for Clarke CL500M half nut conversion on YouTube.

I am extremely pleased with the result and it makes sliding the carriage up and down the bed a breeze.

I may add a rack and pinion gear at a later date although it operates fine without.

Hopefully this is helpful to someone else who fancies giving it a go!
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22 April 2021 at 22:39 #15350
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
Just made a half nut conversion for the Clarke CL430 or 500 lathe
22 April 2021 at 23:38 #541151
Pete.
Participant
@pete-2
Do you have any photos you could post here of the half nut mechanism?

I'd be interested in seeing how you've solved your problem.
23 April 2021 at 07:23 #541167
Stuart Cox 3
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@stuartcox3
23 April 2021 at 07:24 #541168
Stuart Cox 3
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@stuartcox3
23 April 2021 at 07:26 #541169
Stuart Cox 3
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@stuartcox3
23 April 2021 at 07:28 #541171
Stuart Cox 3
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@stuartcox3
…anyone know how to rotate a picture? Fir some reason when I upload them to an album it turns them upside down!??
23 April 2021 at 08:49 #541185
john halfpenny
Participant
@johnhalfpenny52803
Well done Stuart. Have you made any drawings? – though it should be relatively easy to follow your video. This is something I have intended to do for some time as winding the lead screw is tedious, and it solves the only shortcoming I have not yet addressed. JH
23 April 2021 at 09:37 #541204
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
Posted by john halfpenny on 23/04/2021 08:49:44:

Well done Stuart. Have you made any drawings? – though it should be relatively easy to follow your video. This is something I have intended to do for some time as winding the lead screw is tedious, and it solves the only shortcoming I have not yet addressed. JH

Thanks John. I haven't made any drawings but I can probably take some measurements if you need them
23 April 2021 at 19:53 #541274
john halfpenny
Participant
@johnhalfpenny52803
Hi Stuart, I intend to make this so some dimensions would help me scale and make a drawing. Perhaps block size and hole centre from top edge, and cam diameter would get me started. I think I can scale the rest to suit my material stock. PM me if you like. Many thanks. JH
23 April 2021 at 20:08 #541275
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
Posted by john halfpenny on 23/04/2021 19:53:52:

Hi Stuart, I intend to make this so some dimensions would help me scale and make a drawing. Perhaps block size and hole centre from top edge, and cam diameter would get me started. I think I can scale the rest to suit my material stock. PM me if you like. Many thanks. JH

I will take some measurements over the weekend and PM them to you John
23 April 2021 at 20:19 #541276
Pete.
Participant
@pete-2
Thanks Stuart, looks like it works well.
13 May 2021 at 11:30 #544748
Danni Burns
Participant
@danniburns84841
Well done Stuart

I have just bought a CL500m and just getting used to it and not sure how everything works (or not) just yet.

I was a Turner (25 years ago on Colchester Triumph 2000 lathe) so I should be able to manage this, but this is the most annoying limitation I have found so far.

Would you please post more details, as I am definitely keen to do this.

Regards

Danni
14 May 2021 at 16:43 #545034
mechman48
Participant
@mechman48
Your link…

brings up ' No results found'

George.
14 May 2021 at 17:16 #545040
Danni Burns
Participant
@danniburns84841
Mechman – the link works fine. Maybe cut/paste it into browser
14 May 2021 at 17:27 #545042
Oldiron
Participant
@oldiron
Yes the link works ok when copy & pasted.

regards
14 May 2021 at 20:11 #545080
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
Posted by Danni Burns on 13/05/2021 11:30:01:

Well done Stuart

I have just bought a CL500m and just getting used to it and not sure how everything works (or not) just yet.

I was a Turner (25 years ago on Colchester Triumph 2000 lathe) so I should be able to manage this, but this is the most annoying limitation I have found so far.

Would you please post more details, as I am definitely keen to do this.

Regards

Danni

Thanks Danny

Let me know what info you need and I'll do my best to pm it to you. John Halfpenny ( another member on this forum) has just done the mod, so he might be able to chip in too! I've also added a hand wheel to quickly move the saddle up and down the bed, it's a bit more elegant than manually pushing it. I will post details of that mod once it's all finished.

Stu
14 May 2021 at 20:30 #545083
Danni Burns
Participant
@danniburns84841
Thanks Stuart

John has been helpful already and shared the drawing and other advice.

I need to make a cutting-list and order all materials, as I'm starting from scratch, and buy a few tools before I can get going. Its not going to be a cheap mod.

Damn – Just realised I need a 4-jaw chuck as well.
14 May 2021 at 20:44 #545086
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
….. I got a 160mm 4 jaw independent chuck from Vevor uk and made a back plate to fit the Clarke. I think the chuck was £64 and the material for the back plate I think was £15, so not too expensive.

Glad John is helping you out with a drawing.

Stu
15 May 2021 at 13:18 #545207
Danni Burns
Participant
@danniburns84841
Thanks Stu really helpful

That looks like the most cost (new) effective solution

I dont suppose you remember what size blank you used for back plate?

Cheers
15 May 2021 at 14:03 #545214
Danni Burns
Participant
@danniburns84841
I hope it the right one: K72-160 160mm (6&quot 4 Jaw Metal Lathe Chuck Independent Jaws W Chuck Key

Could you confirm please Stu?
15 May 2021 at 14:16 #545219
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
Posted by Danni Burns on 15/05/2021 14:03:11:

I hope it the right one: K72-160 160mm (6" 4 Jaw Metal Lathe Chuck Independent Jaws W Chuck Key

Could you confirm please Stu?

Yes thats the one Danni. I bought a 160mm x 20mm blank.

Regards

Stu
15 May 2021 at 14:20 #545221
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
15 May 2021 at 14:20 #545222
Stuart Cox 3
Participant
@stuartcox3
15 May 2021 at 15:07 #545230
Danni Burns
Participant
@danniburns84841
Thanks Stu

Its not making perfect sense at the moment.

I can see you've gone from 4 bolts in 4-Jaw chuck bolts to 3 for connecting to headstock

What are the half threads for on the ID (is there 4 of them)? probably associated with the 4 bolts on new Chuck?

Im sure it'll all make sense when I take the 3 jaw off.

Thanks for sharing
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