Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: machining ballscrews

> Chris,
>
> Do you have some feeds/speeds/insert types for us to use doing this?

Sure, but you probably won't like them...

Insert: the little double-sided triangular ones I bought 10
of... whatever carbide grade is appropriate for steel.

Speed: as fast as the old south bend would turn, or maybe one step
down from that

Feed: real low until under the thread root, then whatever gives good
finish. I think I probably did a lot of machining off the thread
feeding by hand.

My point is that it's really not that big a deal - sure I probably
broke at least one corner of the insert by feeding too fast, but this
is entirely doable by a hobbyist on a manual lathe. Don't worry about
making a mess while cutting off the threads, just choose bearing a bit
smaller than the root so you can clean up with a few uninterrupted
cuts.

I consulted the catalog of 1/64" and metric collets and ordered one
that held the outside of the ballscrew, but the spring in the thread
groove sounds like it could be more accurate if one could find an
appropriate size spring and collet.

Chris

--
Christopher C. Stratton, stratton@...
Instrument Maker, Horn Player & Engineer
22 Adrian Street, Somerville, MA 02143
http://www.mdc.net/~stratton
NEW PHONE NUMBER: (617) 628-1062 home, 253-2606 MIT