Just joined this forum at recommendation on another forum. I own a Sieg X2 mill, and a Sieg 7 x 10 lathe (both Harbor freight branded). My machining experience dates back to graduate school when i spent a year or so building stuff in a research machine shop. Learned on an Induma mill (graduated to Bridgeport eventually) and a South Bend lathe. Made some camera motor drives for time-lapse growth studies, and an analysis tool for positioning cursors over markings on film. That was 40 + years ago. I recently, in the past year, decided to buy the lathe and mill, as a break from woodworking. Mostly I have built some repair parts for gardening equipment, and have used the mill to make some tools for the lathe, and vice-versa. I have built a dovetail type QCTP for the lathe, and a bunch of holders. I am planning to make an extended leadscrew for the cross feed to get the tool closer to the operator. My plan is to turn some crs to the same diameter as the current screw, and make the LH thread on the lathe. I'm also planning to make a Delron nut for the screw using the heat-the-screw method seen on a forum, and to move the new nut further out towards the end of the cross-casting. Also in the plans, of course, is an extension for the handle-end of the screw, and a ball-bearing addition.
bert