How do I stop twisting?

[-steves-]

Looks like I am at that time of I could do with a bit of direction whilst having stripped the lathe and rebuilt it as it was very "loose" all over the place.

I have an issue with a "twist" movement between the bed and "the next sliding bit on top of it" (sorry, I dont know its name ) I can ue the 6 bolts and 4 adjusting screws to stop up and down movement, but can't see anything to stop twisting movement? Any thoughts anyone?

Cheers
Steve

[John Rudd]

Well with 44 reads it doesnt look like the info isnt forthcoming....

So I suggest....

What is the lathe and can you provide any pictures of the offending parts that are troubling you?

[-steves-]

Thats what I was thinking too.

The lathe is from Amadeal, its just called a 7 x 14 mini lathe http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/7_X_14.html

 

[BillTodd]

"the next sliding bit on top of it" (sorry, I dont know its name )

This should help with naming etc.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/latheparts/index.html

and

http://www.lathes.co.uk/latheparts/page5.html

[-steves-]

"the next sliding bit on top of it" (sorry, I dont know its name )

This should help with naming etc.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/latheparts/index.html

and

http://www.lathes.co.uk/latheparts/page5.html

Well in this scenario it looks like its the bed and saddle.......thank you

[saw]

steves, I belive that it is the very same lathe as I have, but I don't understand you're problem? 
Do you feel like it is a moment between the bed and the cross slide? In that case you have three set screws with nuts that you can adjust so you can have a smod lathe, but don't adjust to hard... 

When you first get you're lathe did you remove all of the transport oil? It's impotent and then lubricate up with a nice oil.
Take you're time and get to know you're lathe. 

[-steves-]

steves, I belive that it is the very same lathe as I have, but I don't understand you're problem? 
Do you feel like it is a moment between the bed and the cross slide? In that case you have three set screws with nuts that you can adjust so you can have a smod lathe, but don't adjust to hard... 

When you first get you're lathe did you remove all of the transport oil? It's impotent and then lubricate up with a nice oil.
Take you're time and get to know you're lathe. 

The problem is...I have adjusted the screws you mention, and I have stripped it down and removed all the transport oil, and it now has nice oil. The saddle moves across the bed nicely, though it took quite a while to let it move without having any up and down movement. The issue before and now is that if I twist (move one side backwards and pull the other side forwards) then there is a small amount of movement, which is the same force as the tool on the material would give so I am sure there should be no play in it, I jusy dont knowhow to stop that particular type of play. Its like it needs some more adjusting screws at the front and back of the bed on the saddle, like there is underneath it....?

[saw]

You can adjust the cross slide with the set screws on the right side off the cross slide.
To adjust the saddle you have to remove the plane where the handweel is (there is two bigg ali screws on the top) and then you will se tree set screws on the front.
I think that this will do the trick. (I have the very same problem).

[-steves-]

You can adjust the cross slide with the set screws on the right side off the cross slide.

Yup, done that bit....

To adjust the saddle you have to remove the plane where the handweel is (there is two bigg ali screws on the top) and then you will se tree set screws on the front.
I think that this will do the trick. (I have the very same problem).

Done that bit too, but this is the bit I am having issues with. The 6 large screws and 4 adjuster screws do not seem able to take out twist movement, only up and down movement, am I missing something or do I just have to live with it?

[saw]

You are at the right spot but you are missing the right set screw. Don't yoiu have a exploded view of the lathe so you can see

[Fergus OMore]

Simply Google 7 x14 lathe manual. These lathes are 'generic' and simply follow the instructions for adjustments

[-steves-]

Right, well some good news.

Had a little chat with "Stilldrillin" regarding this subject who explained why and how these things should be adjusted, it all made sense afterwards of course. So tightened the front of the saddle up first which took out the "twist" play, and then tightened the back ones to remove the up and down play.

Now we have a nicely moving but firm saddle to bed, cross slide and top slide. Lovely jubly 

Thank you, now I just have to learn how to use it, lol 

[saw]

Had a little chat with "Stilldrillin" regarding this subject who explained why and how these things should be adjusted

Will you please put it here, in case I have forgott to adjust something. 

[-steves-]

In simple terms (I.E. terms I can understand) the V on the bed has to mate with the V on the saddle in at "least" 2 places in order to gain a 3 point mating surface to take out all travels of movement, the third being the back.

I adjusted mine in the following manner

Loosen all front and back screws.

Adjust front middle to partical grab then back off a tad.
Adjust front left
Adjust front right
This ensured that at least the front was held at each end.
Then adjusted front middle again to best tension I could get

On to the back
Back middle
Back left
Back right
Back middle for final tension

Result is, so little movemet that it will do me.  This may not be the correct way, it may not be the recommded way, it may not be the way most people do it, but it worked for me 

[Stilldrillin]

This may not be the correct way, it may not be the recommded way, it may not be the way most people do it, but it worked for me/


Way to go Steve! 

Don't forget the slide oil...... 

One day, you will find a better way. By then, you and your lathe will fully understand each other...... 

David D

[saw]

Thank you, I know I have missed something, I diden't know about the screws in the back 

[-steves-]

Well, great news.....

Saw...... glad you will be able to sort yours out now too.

As for mine, seriously happy with it today, its been the most solid its ever been, no chatter, some really deep cuts, some fine light cuts, very very pleased with it. 

Only had one issue An indexable tool broke, ripping the steam chest from the 10V clean out the jaws and making quite a mess of both ends of the chest. Well there was another issue, the mill vice also slipped on me before that, and lets just say took out rather more from one side of the chest than the other, but I dont belive this will effect anything as I took it all down quite nicely in my lovely smooth running lathe so now lets just hope all will be well with it, some more modifications may need to be done later to correct everything .....

Thanks very much all for your help, and David, your a legend 

[stirling lad]

I had the exact same problem until a couple of weeks ago .I had no idea about the screws up behind the apron on the front, until i had a blether with David (S/D)... tweak tweak problem solved... to quote the man himself.... i was quite pleased with that . ....thanks David...I second what steves  says... your a legend...

  ....mike...