Upgrading lathe cross slide to linear rails

[tonyfoale]

About three weeks ago I posted part 1 of this project. A method for upgrading a lathe cross slide to linear ball rails. . That gave an outline of my plans. Part 2 described the modifications made to the cross slide to fit the "trucks" on the ball rails. . A simple but effective oiling system is implemented.

Part 3. shows the brutal attack on the top of the saddle. This was a major milestone because after that there was no change of mind, no turning back, I was committed to making this work. The saddle would never be able to return to stock.

Part 4. will show the methods that I used to align the rails true to the lathe spindle and also the cross slide.

Here is the part 3 video: