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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Tea Tree Gully
    Posts
    17

    Default AL 320 power cross slide feed

    Hi brains-trust, I have recently purchased an AL 320 and have noted in other places on this forum that the lever that controls the cross slide power feed/longitudinal power feed option is not the best design. I have seen that some people have installed a post to stop the lever accidentally being thrown too far, and thus changing cross to longitudinal (or vise versa) and wrecking the part. Are there any other suggestions to alleviate this issue? (Yes I have experienced this while practicing). Those who have made the mod, any hints? So far, I've been happy with the machine's capabilities, I'm only a learner, so I trust this machine will last me out. It does suffer from the Chinese finish quality, but a bit of cleaning, tinkering and adjusting seems to have worked.
    Thanks,
    Gary

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    69
    Posts
    452

    Default AL320 feed lever

    Hello from BC.
    I had the same problem. The lever and shaft were drilled so far out of lineup the roll pin only went thru one side of the lever. from new the hole was wallered. I took to stopping the feed at the gearbox end and then with the saddle lever. If you try a heavy power feed the selector lever will drop out, maybe.
    Regards
    BC

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Tea Tree Gully
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steamloco1954 View Post
    Hello from BC.
    I had the same problem. The lever and shaft were drilled so far out of lineup the roll pin only went thru one side of the lever. from new the hole was wallered. I took to stopping the feed at the gearbox end and then with the saddle lever. If you try a heavy power feed the selector lever will drop out, maybe.
    Regards
    BC
    Thanks BC, that sounds like a sensible way of operating the power slide.

    Gary

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Wodonga
    Posts
    10

    Default

    I have the same lathe and early on had this problem a couple of times. Had it for 10 years now and must have just got used it as I can’t remember the last time it happened. I am going to replace the plastic handles with alloy ones and I will make the carriage/ cross slide control a bit longer to give it a bit more feel. I think because it is so short it is easy to over do it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Tea Tree Gully
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RPG View Post
    I have the same lathe and early on had this problem a couple of times. Had it for 10 years now and must have just got used it as I can’t remember the last time it happened. I am going to replace the plastic handles with alloy ones and I will make the carriage/ cross slide control a bit longer to give it a bit more feel. I think because it is so short it is easy to over do it.
    Thanks RPG, an interesting idea to extend the handle. After 10 years of use, any issues I should look out for?
    Gary

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2020
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    3

    Default AL 320 crossfeed/longfeed lever

    I have the AL 320 and I have (initially) experienced pushing the crossfeed lever and then getting long feed. (Easy to do). I found the neutral position then drilled a couple of 3mm dia x 6mm deep holes and inserted pins to stop the over movement. I take one pin out when I want power cross feed and then insert it again and take the other pin out when I want long feed. Works for me.
    Crossfeed_stop1 (1).jpg

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Wodonga
    Posts
    10

    Default

    Only issues I have had in the past 10 years was a cooked start capacitor on the drive motor, pretty cheap and easy fix, and I have found when drilling larger holes go up in small increments as the tail stock can move a bit. Other than that happy with the machine, it is what it is, probably not the most refined small Chinese lathe but a good over the bed capacity and the 38mm through the head stock is really handy too. Over all I have been happy with the machine. I recently had the run capacitor go on the mill, same age as the lathe, $16 at JCAR and ten minutes work good to go. Now I am not moving constantly any more I may look at getting some better machines but for time being they are producing the results I am happy with.

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