Aligning the X axis Leadscrew on a RF-30

[rgsparber]

This article deals with the alignment of the X axis leadscrew in order to minimize backlash. This involves creating a means of smoothly moving the leadscrew and measuring this movement.

If you are interested, please see

http://rick.sparber.org/XAA.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.

[Paul Jones]

Rick,
Your descriptions and photos contain a wealth of outstanding insight and advice on your machine tool alignment methodology and modifications. The concepts can be applied to other milling machines. In addition, your modifications have given me some new ideas to consider and explore.
Thank you, Paul Jones

[rgsparber]

Paul,

Thanks for the kind words. My hope is that this and its companion article on the Y axis will help the community. I have heavily reworked the Y axis article: http://rick.sparber.org/YAA.pdf

Rick

[Frank S]

Thanks for the useful instructions Rick I adjusted my old Du-more Versimill table in a very similar fashion but never put pen to paper on it Your methodology was top notch

[DIYer]

Thanks Rick! We've added your RF-30 X-Axis Leadscrew Alignment to our Machining category, as well as to your builder page: Rick Sparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

RF-30 X-Axis Leadscrew Alignment by Rick Sparber

tags: alignment, mill

[rgsparber]

I suggest you modify the title to include the fact that this is the X axis. A companion article deals with the Y axis so it might be confusing. I also just posted a companion article providing performance data: http://rick.sparber.org/PDAXYR.pdf. I measured a worst case variation of +/- 0.001 inches over 40 measurements on various size coupons.

[crahar]

Your article gives hope to us just starting out with a used machine, it leads to a question on the gib adjustment. Is there only one screw holding it in place or is there another at the back end to lock it down when adjusting? If so I'm assuming it leaves too much slack.

[C-Bag]

Rick posted a good fix for keeping the gib in place a while back. It might be on his site or in the archives.

[rgsparber]

Here it is: http://rick.sparber.org/GR.pdf

You can see all of the articles related to my mill modifications at Rick's Web Site: Machining

[rgsparber]

On my mill, there is only one screw holding the gib in place. There are two screws that push on the side of the gib to lock the ways. This gib lock was removed when the machine was outfitted with CNC.