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Taig sent me a prototype of their power feed for the Taig lathe. |
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The unit consists of a gearbox, lead screw and new handwheel assembly for the carriage. |
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Yes, the drive is via a rubber band. You wouldn't think it would work but I've been unable to get it to slip due to the gear reduction. The leadscrew coupler is uses a spring. Taig says this is because of variances in the bed. |
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The power feed mechanism is simple. To feed, just grab the handwheel and hold it. To stop feeding, release it. The ruler is a quick and easy leadscrew protector. They'll be using a plastic one like that for the rack in the production version. |
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A smooth finish with a sharp pointed tool. |
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With a round nose tool and the finest feed you get a shiny finish. |
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If you want to reverse the feed, cross the rubber band. If it breaks, get another one from your desk. |
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You can see the block that surrounds the leadscrew. |
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Inside the block is a worm wheel. If you turn the handwheel, it feeds the carriage manually, using the lead screw as a rack. |
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Inside the block. |
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The gearbox mounts to the thin bed dovetail. |
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Yes, that spring is springy. |
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Two washers were used as shims between the gearbox and lead screw. |
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The output shaft has a flat for the setscrew. |
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Removing the gearbox by loosing the clamp screw. |
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The screw spreads the aluminum block against the bed dovetail. |
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The block removed. |
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The input pulley is held with a setscrew. |
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The gearbox opened up. The reduction is:
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Good thing I took pictures... |