Bantam cross slide end float

[Mark Davison 1Participant @markdavison1]

I've got noticeable end float in the handwheel/spindle (for the cross slide) which causing havoc if I attempt to carry out small milling jobs on the lathe. It is end float as I can see the gap between the dial and the flange open and close. I've not measured it, but lets call it 10 thou. There is also some backlash in the screw, but it is the end float that I was trying to sort out.

I eventually managed to remove the handwheel but it is a very very tight fit on the splines and seems to reach a hard stop where it was.

Does anyone know how I adjust the end float, or can anyone else confirm that the fit of my handwheel to the splined shaft is normal?

[Mark Davison 1Participant @markdavison1]

[Mark Davison 1Participant @markdavison1]

Sorted, almost. I think the splines were just so tight it made fine adjustment almost impossible. I tried it on the press and manage to get rid of the float. Press the shaft in and out a couple of times and then tried it in situ and got close enough for now (it is ever so slightly too close now).

[Ian McVickersParticipant @ianmcvickers56553]

IIRC the end float is adjusted by the central nut. It shouldn't be tight to remove or replace.

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