Straightening a lathe feed rod

[Paul Jones]

Hi petertha ,

I worked on this power feed bar alignment problem about two and a half years ago and don't remember all the improvement details I made. However, after reviewing my photos, I am sure I would have used the Sharpie to mark the exact maximum run-out on the power feed (PF) rod in thousands of an inch. My photos show my maximum runout measurements do align closely with the 5 mm key slot. Perhaps this is the weakest point on the the PF rod and why it may have bent here the most. I have made several lathe modification to improve the longitudinal and cross feed power feeds resulting in a perfectly smooth feed movement and machining results (see http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/l...7792#post37667 and http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/l...7293#post23627 ) and the combination of the work has made a big difference in producing very smooth machining surfaces.

Thank your for your feedback and insight,

Paul Jones