Clarke CL500M power feed

[Simon TylerParticipant @simontyler66546]

Hi

I've searched and not found anyone that has not converted a Clarke CL500M to have powerfeed in X for milling.

*Before everyone dives in and tells me to get a different lathe, that does not help my issue. I have the lathe and it's done me well.

The lathe has power feed in X when using the lathe option, but not when using the milling option. Normally this is not an issue dong the jobs I do. But I've been slitting slots in shafts and have 800 to do and wanted to add power feed so I can debur whilst slitting. A powerfeed would save me about 3days of work so if I spend a day adding it then it's worth doing and having for future use.

I've seen various power feeds on ebay for approx £200, but they obviously don't have the same setup as the Clarke lathe and wondered if anyone has converted to suit.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/X-Axis-Power-Feed-Kit-for-BRIDGEPORT-Milling-Machine-240-volt-model/371969858074?hash=item569b219a1a:g:EIUAAOSwBahVdck3:rk:1f:0

This sort of device can be bought quite cheap and I was wondering if I could make a simple conversion plate to mount it on and maybe turn up a bush to convert the 12mm diameter shaft the CL500 has to suit.

Anyone been there with this.

Si

[Simon TylerParticipant @simontyler66546]

Has anyone converted this?

[Simon TylerParticipant @simontyler66546]

I have put some pics of the the lathe here…

**LINK**

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

While my conversion doesnt cover your particular machine, I bought a similar power feed for my Chester 626 mill.

On opening the box and examining how it all went together, it was obvious it was better suited to a Bridgie….that aside, I managed to get it to fit the mill X field. Had to make a couple of bespoke bushes and bore out the brass gear by a miniscule amount…

Was it worth it? Absolutely… Go for it saves a lot if effort….

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