Removing SC4 carriage and saddle

[timdotdParticipant @timdotd]

This is going to sound like a rather dumb question – but how does one go about removing the carriage and saddle of an SC4? I’m planning on upgrading the carriage lock, which will involve drilling into the castings – but I’m failing at the first hurdle, which is getting the parts off the ways.

I’ve removed the far end lead screw bracket which as far as I can tell should allow the carriage to slide off the end of the ways. But there’s obviously something I’ve missed which is stopping that, even after it’s disengaged from the rack.

What’s the secret here? Is there a specific order of part removal I should be following?

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I can’t help with specifics, but you might consider the possibility of also having a second lock at the rear of the carriage when you upgrade the existing one. I added a rear lock to the Smart & Brown model A carriage to stiffen things up when parting off.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

probably easier to leave the front apron on the machine, undo the highlighted bolts that hold the carrieag to th eapron and also thos ethat hold the gib strips and current locking clamp. Then lift upwards to remove

[timdotdParticipant @timdotd]

Those bolts are the key, but for future searchers: you also need to release the gib that’s hidden around the back of the carriage. It’s not at all obvious at first, and a real pita to reach, but once removed makes the removal much easier…

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