Hi,
first of all, I'm not familiar with lathe vocabulary and use primary french as language, so excuse me the poor "text" that fallow.
I just bought my first late yesterday, an Atlas 618, serial number 011801 (if that change something, considering they build this particular model many years)
The only problem I see for now is that the leadscrew has a flat spot in the middle. This flat spot (about 6 inches) prevent the "tool carrier" to continue to move, so it stop.
In my complete newbie mind, I see three ways to solve this problem.
- buy a new part. I read somewhere that we can still buy new atlas parts. Does this part is still available? If yes, does any one know the price?
- machine a new one on a bigger lathe. This seem pretty easy to do, considering that a retired machinist that still have access to a shop will teach me some "lathe basic", but, as I have no experience, maybe it is harder than I think.
- buy a treaded bar, so I will only have to machine the two ends. I think I should be able to do this on my lathe.
I would prefer the third option, if possible.
Any comments or hints?
Thanks a lot
Francois in Montreal