Need help installing Thread chasing dial on Enco 13x40

[gldwight]

I bought a 13x40 Enco last year  with around 88 threading gears but, without a thread chasing dial.

I've made a fairly decent setup, but, not sure where to drill the hole to mount it on the carraige.
Which is very surprising as I believe it came from a gunsmith as the tailstock was set over for a taper cut.

There's no sign of one being installed, Enco is not any  help, though I did buy a screw following gear
that actually fits.

I'm not able to post pictures at this time as the HP do it all keeps insisting: press enter to align cart,
500 times.  Once that would kick in, then I could post 'em.  Actually I could use some help there too!

Many thanks for any help here.
George

[Bernd]

George,

Take a look at the Grizzly 13.5 X 40 HERE. It should give you an idea of where to place the dial. It's on the right of the cariage. I believe the Grizzly and Enco are pretty close in looks.

As far as the loading the pics go I can't help there. Sorry.

Bernd

[andyf]

Hi George,

My lathe is tiny compared to yours, but I made bodged up a threading dial and fitted it as shown in the last two pix here:
http://andysmachines.weebly.com/roll-your-own-threading-dial.html
Realisically, there are only two places where you can mount one - on one side of the apron or the other . On the LH side, it might hit something if the carriage was run fully to the left, and would get covered in swarf, so the RH side seems to be the traditional place. I attached a post to the apron, so the dial can be readily removed and replaced. Despite its crudely fashioned PVC pinion, mine has worked fine over the last two years, doubtless because it isn't subject to any significant load when in use.

Andy

[75Plus]

Hi George,

Go to this link and scroll down to page 24. It should help you locate the dial.

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/66000-66999/66164.pdf

Joe

[gldwight]

Thank you gentlemen.

In other words all it needs is to be in contact with the lead screw??

The apron housing is a wet box full of oil.
What should I be aware of when drilling into it?

I have a very nice dial setup made with the proper gear from Enco. But, had no
info on where to mount it for sure.  The "unit" is ready to mount, I've just been
'undecided on where to put it.
These help immensely.
Many thanks.
George

[andyf]

In other words all it needs is to be in contact with the lead screw??

The apron housing is a wet box full of oil.
What should I be aware of when drilling into it?

Hi George,

Me again.

Yes, all that is needed is to mount the dial so its pinion is meshed with the leadscrew thread, which then acts as a worm and drives the pinion and thus the dial. One reason I mounted my dial by clamping it to a post was so I could swivel it to get a good mesh.   

Simplest way to do the job without dismantling anything or drilling through into the oil bath and getting swarf inside it or having to worry about sealant on the fixing bolts might be to make up a plate with a mounting post sticking out of it and stick the plate to the RH side of the apron with JB Weld or similar adhesive. Not a very "engineering" solution, but it would be easy to implement if you have a G clamp to hold the plate to the apron while the adhesive is setting.

Andy

[Davo J]

Here are some pictures from my 12x36 Chinese lathe, it should be the same. The hole is 75mm down from the top and 50mm in from the front.
Dave

[Davo J]

One more photo
Also the hole is above the oil level, so no worries there.
Dave

[gldwight]

Thanks much for all the pictures and other advice.

Looking the apron over today.  There's a grease zerk in about the right position.

What I made up can't be mounted to a rod though.  Drilled for a single mounting bolt.
So it can swivel out of contact when not being used.  That was a suggestion a local
shop made when I had him mill flats on the side's of the body I turned.
Even pressed in some bronze bushings. Got good tolerance's, I think it looks good.
Sure wish I could post pictures.

Thanks again,
George