Author Topic: 5 minute fix...Episiode One.  (Read 4473 times)

Offline websterz

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5 minute fix...Episiode One.
« on: August 27, 2009, 05:14:16 PM »
In this, the first ever episode of 5 Minute Fix, I will show you how I dealt with my annoying Chinese handwheels.

You know the problem...the crank on these things is sloppy, wobbly, and generally crappy. Well, I fixed it for free.

Pull the crank off of the offending handwheel and chuck up the nut so that you can cut a shoulder about half the thickness of the nut. Here I have the nut threaded up on the handwheel screw to make chucking it up easier. Take the screw out before you start cutting.  :thumbup:



Turn a shoulder on the nut. I didn't measure, I never do for this sort of stuff. Make the shoulder wide enough to be useful but don't turn so much off that you cut into the threads. As my good friend Russ says "We're not building the Space Shuttle here."



Now chuck up the plastic part and bore it out to fit the shoulder. Not too deep nor too big. Again, I didn't measure. Your parts are different anyway...make up your numbers as you go along like I do.  :D I took a pic of me boring the plastic but you don't want to see another boring picture...you know what it looks like.

Now we have to sand/grind/gnaw flats on the plastic for wrench clearance. Remember, half the thickness of the flats on the nut are gone now. I like to use a little flapping drum in my mill for this:




Make the flats so that the wrench can clear the plastic and get to the nut. Nothing fancy, just get 'er done. :doh:




Now you can reassemble the screw, handle, and nut. It will look like the one on the left if you did it right.



Put it back into the handwheel, tightening the nut juuuuuust enough to hold the plastic handle and keep it from flopping around like a wet noodle. Then apply the wrench



You may have to tweak a bit, but you will find that the narrow end of the handle is now held in place by the shoulder on the nut and as a result the handwheel has a much improved feel. It has been 5 Minute Fixed!

Stay tuned for another fun episode coming soon...Cheap and Easy Z-axis Way Cover!   :proj:

Todd  a.k.a  webs

« Last Edit: August 27, 2009, 08:46:08 PM by websterz »
"In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird.  Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal."
 :med:

Offline klank

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Re: 5 minute fix...Episiode One.
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2009, 05:37:33 PM »
Excellent - there have been times I wanted to take a rusty razor to the guy who designed those terrible wheel handles.
Thanks so much for the post

Peter

bogstandard

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Re: 5 minute fix...Episiode One.
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2009, 05:45:34 PM »
Nice fix Websterz.

My old mill used to drive me crazy with squeaking and wobbling handles. Mine were a slightly different design than yours, and no amount of grease would stop the squeak.


If they ever break or wear out completely, then replacing with metal is the best way to go.

For those in the UK, the first few one here just can't be beaten for quality or price. I have used the type 'B' and can't recommend them enough. Shame they are out of stock with the first ones.

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machine-Spares/Machine-Handles

Bogs




Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: 5 minute fix...Episiode One.
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2009, 03:25:46 AM »
Tod,
I used a 15min fix on all my handles........ I installed an 8mm bore brass bush, in either end, lubed with grease.  :thumbup:

David D
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!