Paul,

There are two locations to look for to minimise backlash.

1 Between the leadscrew and the nut.

2 Between the leadscrew and the End Bracket.

When setting the Gib, detach the End Bracket and adjust the Gib screws such that the cross slide moves by hand easily but firmly without snatching, over the normal front to back movement.

Edited By KWIL on 22/04/2019 12:31:55

**LINK**

This modification is available for the ML7 (I'm aware you are referring to the super 7), I wonder if something similar could be done. I used the bearings listed for my ML7 and it improved things drastically.

Most lathes have a bit of backlash and it doesn't matter much. It has no effect whilst cutting pressure is applied.

The usual problem is when you reverse the tool out, have a think, and then go in for another cut forgetting the need to compensate for backlash. But provided you are in the habit of reversing out a little further than the backlash, then the dial will realign correctly before the tool reaches the job with the calibration still correct. Not difficult to do when the backlash is small, but easy to mess up when the backlash is very bad. How big is your backlash?

Beware of obsessively minimising backlash. Often done by tightening everything up beyond the point severe wear is caused. Sometimes it's best to leave well alone.

Dave

The power crossfeed is engaged by a button that you pull out. The lever engages the longitudinal feed. 0.33mm is a lot. The feedscrew on a pxf lathe is larger diameter, 5/8 in if I remember right. And it has a longitudinal keyway machined along it that engages a key in the drive pinion. If you can post a photo of the apron it's easy to confirm if your machine has pxf.

0.33mm (0.00129" ) is not an unusual backlash in a even a moderately used machine. I live with a machine with 0.020" backlash, without much problem.

As has already been said, you retract by more than the backlash, half a turn to be safe, and then return to the setting that you require. You work within the peculiarities of your particular machine. Make yourself familiar with your machine, and the controls, and how they affect its operation.

If you are new to the hobby, and machines, join a Model Engineering club where you will receive help and advice, and learn form contact with more experienced machinists. Continue to read this Forum and ask questions, you will learn a lot.

You will be amazed by the work that people do on quite modest machines.

Howard

Emojis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited By Howard Lewis on 24/04/2019 09:46:37

Thanks John!

That's what I meant to type, but left the fat finger too long on the key, and was more concerned with editing out that stupid emoji. Forgot to put a space before the final bracket!

Howard

fat fingers again!

Edited By Howard Lewis on 24/04/2019 20:18:17