I've just replaced the topslide feedscrew on my Colchester Bantam topslide and took the opportunity to remove the rather pointless 'metric inch' dial from the handle and replace it with a proper imperial one (the metric one reads up to 254 microns and I get lost after more than one turn). Under the dial, on the periphery of the handle body, there are 3 radial holes each containing a spring and a 1/4" ball bearing which act on the inside of the dial to provide friction; I've spent and hour and a half firing ball bearings all around my garage this evening and have come to the conclusion that there's a knack to reassembling this thing and I don't have it. Amazingly, I did find all the balls despite some spectacular ricochets from the garage door and the lathe's chip pan. Evidently, the previous owner of the donor topslide had the same problem as it had been assembled with 3 springs but only 2 balls. Can anyone offer any tips as to how to reassemble this? Also, as I'm in need of one 1/4" ball bearing (possibly more after my next attempt), anyone know of a source? Thanks, Martin
- posted
15 years ago