A Very Smooth Slide and Lock Mechanism

I recently built a device that had a rod that must smoothly slide yet firmly locks in place. Since I rarely throw anything away, a scrap of a Dr. Scholl's shoe insert saved the day.

If you are interested, please see

https://rick.sparber.org/SlideAndLock.pdf


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


Thanks,

Rick

On my mill I put a small puck of Delrin under the screws that lock the dials for X-Y-Z. I also changed out the grub screws for simple socket head cap screws and just make them finger tight. That was probably 15-20 years ago and I haven't changed them since.

I have no idea why they put grub screws in the dials as you have to reset them all the time (well, until I got a DRO). The Delrin works well enough for this, not the silicone grease drag you were looking for but enough so the dial can be lightly tightened and hold position.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jdurand

On my mill I put a small puck of Delrin under the screws that lock the dials for X-Y-Z. I also changed out the grub screws for simple socket head cap screws and just make them finger tight. That was probably 15-20 years ago and I haven't changed them since.

I have no idea why they put grub screws in the dials as you have to reset them all the time (well, until I got a DRO). The Delrin works well enough for this, not the silicone grease drag you were looking for but enough so the dial can be lightly tightened and hold position.

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Thanks for the great idea! I have the same problem on my lathe and you have furnished the ideal solution.

Rick

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Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Slide and Lock Mechanism to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-slide-and-lock-mechanism"> <img src="/uploads/223861/homemade-slide-and-lock-mechanism.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-slide-and-lock-mechanism">Slide and Lock Mechanism</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/rgsparber">rgsparber</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/lock'>lock</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

Rick
Very nice fix for a problem I believe we all have had at one time or another. I have thrown many of the cut off pieces, I will put the next ones in the shop junk draw.
Good job.
Nelson