Hi Andrew,
If you only pulled a few threads from the compound, there may be several more usable threads left. If so, get a longer bolt and cut it a 1/16" or so shy of bottoming out in the hole, but still tightens the post. It might be enough to get you by. In the meantime I'd order a new top slide from LMS.
Good luck with the Webster. I made one, and it runs great. I'm currently building Jerry Howell Powerhouse, which is slightly bigger, but very similar.
Frank
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--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Andrew" <akayton1@...> wrote:
G'Day to all,
My task yesterday was to work on the cylinder for my Webster engine. I had hogged out the fins, the lower portions and drilled the inner diameter to 13mm. The last operation was to part off the work from stock when I noticed a lot of chatter. I stopped, cleaned up all the cast iron swarf and tightened the gibs. I tied again and the chatter was just as bad. I sharpened the tool which look OK and still no luck.
When I tried after tightening the carriage and compound do nothing would move I tried again and the A2Z tool post (LMS #2461) came out of the compound. The holding bolt pulled the threads out of the compound.
When examined I noticed the bolt only penetrated a 3 or 4 turns. I knew this as the threaded part was still there like a spring on the bolt.
At this time I need to either fix or replace the compound. I also plan to buy or even make a suitable replacement for the supplied bolt.
The reason for this post is to ask advice on if the compound is worth repairing and to warn others before they have problems.
Cheers,
Andrew in Melbourne
