Tom Senior M1 power feed worm question

[jo OrmeParticipant @joorme63135]

Hi everyone,

this is my first post on here.

I've just bought a Tom senoir VS with the dove tail top and with the later power feed worm assembly.

when i got the mill the guard for the power feed teliscopic rods had been removed. i've come to use the mill and the power feed works fine. the only problem is when the feed handle is engaged and the machine off and in gear at the rear gearbox i can turn the manual handles a small amount. The unversal knuckle in the saddle moves in and out by about 1/4 of an inch.

thinking somthing had moved inside i've taken the table off to see the worm wheel and worm. nothing is loose inside there but whats happing is the bronze bush that the shaft that holds the worm and uni joint is moving in the saddle hole and only stops moving when the worn hits the side of the casting or the uni joint hit the outside of the casting. I cant see anyway of mounting the end of the cover for the drive rods to the saddle. the cover end is cut out and it has two holes in it. Am i missing some sort of retaining coller like it has at the gear box end for mounting the cover? i was thinking this might also stop the bush from moving. there is a grub screw on the side of the saddle that does nothing at the moment. the holes goes right through to were the uni joint is and i'm wondering if this is for retaining the end of the cover. the grub crew is not engaged on anything just put in the hole.

everything works fine and it doesnt effect the power feed but moving the saddle in and out does make the bush move in and out as it pulls and pushes on it.

I've looked at the Tom Senior manual and drawings but this only has the older style of saddle with lift up engagement.

does anyone know whats missing or could someone take some pictures if possible of the mounting of the outer cover of the feed drive at the saddle end. could you also tell me if this is meant to move in and out.I dont think it'll stop the machine form doing what it does but i dont want to wear out anything if it's not meant to move about.

thanks in advance for any help.

Jo

[jo OrmeParticipant @joorme63135]

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