Slotted cross-slide.

[YouraT]

Hi.

I've just stumbled across this lathe on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290733442231

The interesting point (to me at least) is this:

Slotted cross-slide

cross-slide.JPG (54.29 KiB) Viewed 6877 times

Which shows a slotted cross-slide.

Was this a standard item, or has a previous user adapted the original cross slide?

I've seen that Dazz's machine has an Boxford-like slotted cross slide made by a previous user, but never one of these.

Any thoughts about if it's a good idea to make an alteration like this?

The context is that I'm interested in using a rear-parting tool...

Cheers,

Youra.

[dazz]

Hi

As a complete non-expert in the design of lathes, I would say that those slots could only weaken the cross slide. In addition, it would be a pain to get a T nut in there to hold anything down.

If you have a reasonable mill, a shop made Boxford style item would not be difficult.

Dazz

[Andy B]

Happened to find the drawing for this version of slotted cross-slide yesterday, whilst looking for something totally different! So it is original equipment.
Note on the drawing says the slots are machined from solid - i.e. no cores in the pattern.
I'll scan & post it up when I can find some time.

Andy

[YouraT]

Andy,

Thanks - that would be really useful - I've started to draw up what I think would be the right thing based on what I've measured from by current top-slide, but knowing what the dimensions were originally meant to be would be even better!

Cheers,

Youra.

[Andy B]

Here's the drawing - in colour as otherwise some bits don't show up properly.

There is a rear toolpost to go with it - but it keeps snagging in the scanner so need some more repair around the edges before I can post it up.

Andy