Lead screw on lathe

[DanielW]

I'd like to protect the leadscrewfrom swarf those who use a lathe will know that swarf can get into the the half nuts and damage the nut thread at some point.

Anyway I was having a butchers at the photo above and the bloke has used what looks like clock mainspring metal(wind up spring) and although it probably still does the job I don't think it will fully protect the half nuts or leadscrew from swarf as they will find their way into the coil openings which deafeats the game really.

Anyway on taking this as an idea I thought about long light duty springs on either side of the carriage,the springs will have a sleeve like material over them,when the carriage is moving towards the headstock the spring retracts or closes if you like making it impossible to get swarf onto the leadscrew.

Trying to source a long spring but have not the foggiest where to get a long spring about 25mm diameter.
Any suggestions?

Ta

 

[DanielW]

I have thought about using washing machine outlet pipe but eventually the plastic will perish with use and probable cracking>?

Worth a try at the moment till I find the spring I'm looking for.

 

[MattF]

Personally, I'd use wipers and solid half sleeves. Fixed half sleeves either side of the apron, above the leadscrew, protecting approx. 3" of the leadscrew either side of the apron, then brushes/felt on them to wipe swarf off.

 

[Shox Dr]

An old tooth brush head fixed to the apron is one way of keeping the lead screw clean. Google will bring it up

 

[AndyStobbs]

Suspension fork gaiters would be my material of choice.

 

[DAPPH]

Suspension fork gaiters would be my material of choice.

That would like as not reduce the effective length of carriage travel .

Some of my USA friends have been experimenting using brass plated spring steel suede brushes under spring tension on a frame.

Others have said in all their many years of machining they have never had any problems , so long as you clean &light oil the screw thread to stop things sticking before and during use . Then at clean up time use a plastic scrubbing brush & WD 40 to clean off before lubing with lathe oil .
Others have made or got simple plastic shields on their machines that they pull down when turning , these deflect any crud down into the bed .

 

[Pete.]

I just clean the screw before I use it, then oil it. Take a 2" paint brush and cut the bristles down to about 20-22mm long. Run the lathe in screwcutting mode with the half-nuts disengaged and hold the brush on the the screw allowing it to be dragged along. When you get to the carriage just wind the carriage past and do the other half. WD40 helps with cleaning and way oil lubes the screw and nut.

 

[Shox Dr]

Here you go, flexible round machine gaitor

 

[Spark plug]

You can get the hear:

http://www.beakbane.co.uk/products/telescopic-springs