Ballscrew machining, FAQ

I took a test cut on the Nook 5/8" ballscrew, and it machines
fairly well with carbide insert tooling.

Problem is the screw is .508" in diameter, too small for a 5/8"
collet. Given that it's a screw, I don't see any easy way to indicate
it in in a four jaw chuck, and my three jaw is ready for the scrap
heap. Looks like it's time to place an order for a 39/64" collet,
which would be .609375". What is the gripping range of a 5c collet
anyway? I'd try tape and the 5/8", but not sure how accurate the
results would be.

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Proposed Ballscrew mini FAQ

While a lot of traffic has been generated here and in other forums by
newbies like I working with ballscrews for the first time, I haven't
seen anything like a FAQ on them, so I thought of maybe trying to put
a mini one together as I learn more about them. I was thinking of
trying to cover:

Types, Makers, Availability, and ballpark Pricing
Sizing and application suitability
- examples of specific retrofits
Backlash and preload techniques
Mounting methods
Machining ends and cutting to length
Nut installation and reloading
Tricks and modifications
Troubleshooting

Anyone interested in helping out?

Chris

--
Christopher C. Stratton, stratton@...
Instrument Maker, Horn Player & Engineer
30 Griswold Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
http://www.mdc.net/~stratton
(617) 492-3358 home/shop