1. Home
  2. ⏣ General Metalworking
  3. Best kind of steel for lathe leadscrew?

Best kind of steel for lathe leadscrew?

Hi guys,

I am going to have to machine a new leadscrew for a Myford Super 7 I've recently acquired. This existing one is visibly worn and if it's bad enough to be visible to the unaided eye, I figure it needs replacing. I plan to do this job on my good ol' South Bend 9a. Question is, can I get away with ordinary mild steel for this screw? If not, I've been offered a bar of something called EN8 at not too bad price. What do you think?

Also, will the half nuts need to be replaced as well?

Thanks.

p.

Reply to
phaedrus
Loading thread data ...

Acme thread ? You might be better off buying a piece that's already threaded . And if the leadscrew is that worn chances are the half nuts are too ...

Reply to
Snag

This site has some info and photos...

formatting link
xman

Reply to
charl

Thanks, guys.

What about the correct steel to use for the new 'screw? Any suggestions?

Reply to
phaedrus

It would last a long time with anything you have on hand. or buy Mcmater carr W1 grade

formatting link

Reply to
Karl Townsend

formatting link
O-1 drill rod machines well. 12L14 may give you the smoothest non-abrading finish.

jsw

Reply to
Jim Wilkins

Are you planning on using the old worn lead screw to machine the new screw? Or do you have another lathe to use. I would buy some acme threaded rod from MSC or McMaster even if I had a second lathe. The purchased screw can be bought to various specs for accuracy and would be more accurate than any lead screw made on a well used lathe.

Dan

Reply to
dcaster

If you can't find or don't want to use stock acme threaded rod then I would suggest using "Stressproof" which is 1144. This steel alloy machines well, much better than mild steel. 12L14, aka Ledloy, machines even easier than 1144 but is not as resistant to wear. Eric

Reply to
etpm

Some people what been there and done that...

formatting link

A few sources

formatting link
?cm_mmc=Didit-_-SEM-_-ItmDtl-_-PypClk&002=2167139&004=2253261904&005=1845166260&006=12527491144&007=Search&mkwid=sOkwJ48FC&pcrid=12527491144
formatting link
Good luck and let the group know how things turn out.

Reply to
F. George McDuffee

Will do, and thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

P.

F. George McDuffee wrote:

Reply to
phaedrus

You might try this company:

formatting link

Pete Stanaitis

---------------

Reply to
Pete S

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.