Top slide std positioning

[colin branniganParticipant @colinbrannigan54160]

Parallel to the bed every time except when machining angles.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

I run mine parallel to the bed except for turning angles and threading. I suspect that a large factor in preference is how much work it is to change the angle, whether there's a scale on the topslide base and what sort of toolpost is being used. A retractable topslide, like those used in Hardinge lathes, or the G. H. Thomas one, encourages the topslide to be set over for threading because it makes it so easy.

Edited By Mark Rand on 13/03/2018 20:45:16

[FMESParticipant @fmes]

I asked one of the ancient and wise today, and apparently its to do with the cutting load being placed on the gibs during longitudinal cuts and not the compound slide screw thread when said compound is at 90 degrees to the bed.

Amazing really that after all these years we just took it for granted, and never bothered asking the question.

Regards

Lofty

[Author]

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