Thread: This a good thing or a bad thing?

Guys,

On my little Rong Fu mill I have hot some leafe headed bolts which tighten down on the gibs on the X and Y axis. Obviously they are there to minimise any play on the axis not being wound at the time.

Is there any value at all in replacing those leaf headed bolts with hex heads and lock nuts and adjusting them down on the gibs so we dont need to make adjustments on the fly? Or am I just alking hot air again.

regards

Old Hutcho

Just adjust the gib if required and use the locking screws when required to stop travel on your axis.

Hi Hutcho,
Happy new year. I still haven't sent you those gears i will get there....

The leaf headed bolts are for locking an axis, if the gibs are straight there should be some grub screws with lock nuts to adjust the gibs, if the gibs are tapered there will be a screw at each end of the gib so it can be adjusted side to side which either tightens or loosens the ways. If you are cutting with the X (long) axis you should lock the y axis and vise versa.

Ew

So what are leaf headed bolts? google was no help

Stuart

Like an adjustable handle only the cheap version-bolt with no head but a slot with a "leaf" put in it and pinned in place. I cannot find a picture anyhwere......

Ew

Attached an image.

Thank you gentlemen. Never even knew those things had a name lol

Stuart

Originally Posted by Old Hutcho

On my Rong Fu mill I have some leaf headed bolts which tighten down on the gibs on the X and Y axis. Obviously they are there to minimise any play on the axis not being wound at the time.

Yes

Originally Posted by Old Hutcho

Is there any value at all in replacing those leaf headed bolts with hex heads and lock nuts and adjusting them down on the gibs so we dont need to make adjustments on the fly?

If you put on hex head bolts then you are less likely to nip them up when it would be sensible to do so. As Ewan pointed out, the gib should be adjusted up so there is minimal play anyway; the leaf bolts are there only to lock up an axis. I find I lock the (non-moving) axis of my mill quite often when there is a hand lever. By comparison I don't do it as often as I should on the lathe as the axis lock requires a spanner and even though it is racked in the cabinet 500mm away it's extra effort.

Michael

Originally Posted by Ch4iS

Attached an image.

Are you sure they are under that swarf somewhere? Another yellow 45.

My mill had 1 of these bolts missing when I got it. I have replaced them all with M10 SS cap screws except for 1. I ran out of Cap screws. I want to replace them with something better but I am not sure what. The little leaf heads are too awkward to operate and I don't think they have enough strength for the job. I keep an 8mm allen key on the mill tray.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

My mill had 1 of these bolts missing when I got it.

For anyone looking for one: Handles | machineryhouse.com.au

HAFCO seem to have a few different variations. I stumbled across them looking for a gib screw in their spare parts section. Quite a few unexpected goodies in there.

PS: Dean I know you said you did not like them. I just thought of you and how your mill was missing one when I stumbled across them..

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Are you sure they are under that swarf somewhere? Another yellow 45.

My mill had 1 of these bolts missing when I got it. I have replaced them all with M10 SS cap screws except for 1. I ran out of Cap screws. I want to replace them with something better but I am not sure what. The little leaf heads are too awkward to operate and I don't think they have enough strength for the job. I keep an 8mm allen key on the mill tray.

Dean

What size thread are they Dean?

60mm Lever M8 Threaded BLK Machinery Adjustable Handle | eBay

Ew

Originally Posted by variant22

For anyone looking for one: Handles | machineryhouse.com.au

HAFCO seem to have a few different variations. I stumbled across them looking for a gib screw in their spare parts section. Quite a few unexpected goodies in there.

PS: Dean I know you said you did not like them. I just thought of you and how your mill was missing one when I stumbled across them..

It was the little leaf bolts I don't like. On the page you linked to was a "Handle (ratchet) M10 x 25mm" which is exactly what I want. PP025 | HANDLE (RATCHET) M10 X 25 | machineryhouse.com.au The problem is that they are $35 each. 6 of them will cost $210. Way too much money considering all the stuff I wish to buy in the future. That's nearly half the cost of a DRO.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

It was the little leaf bolts I don't like. On the page you linked to was a "Handle (ratchet) M10 x 25mm" which is exactly what I want. PP025 | HANDLE (RATCHET) M10 X 25 | machineryhouse.com.au The problem is that they are $35 each. 6 of them will cost $210. Way too much money considering all the stuff I wish to buy in the future. That's nearly half the cost of a DRO.
Dean

$210

I bet they are on Ebay. Come on Ewan hunt these puppies down

Originally Posted by Ueee

What size thread are they Dean?

60mm Lever M8 Threaded BLK Machinery Adjustable Handle | eBay

Ew

I have replaced them all with M10 SS cap screws except for 1.

Dean

These ones look ok.

10mm DIA 25mm Length Thread Metal Adjustable Fixing Knob Handles Lever | eBay

Only 2 available. Funny how 3 different EBay stores only have 2 of these left! Around $9.70 each. Looking better. Maybe I should try one and see what they are like.

Dean

Ps. Now up to 4 EBay stores with only 2 left. They also seem to give almost identical search results.