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Thread: Optimum TU2004V Mini Lathe
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20th Jan 2021, 08:52 AM #1Intermediate Member
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Optimum TU2004V Mini Lathe
Although I am primarily a woodworker, I am also a tinkerer & recent bought the TU2004V mini lathe. While generally happy with it & learning quickly, I have a problem with the cross slide adjustment & I am getting no help from Optimum in Germany & am yet to hear back from H&Fs.
The cross slide adjustment is not the traditional gib & lock nut setup, it has an end plate, at each end of the slide with a M3 or M4 cap screw fitted with a lock nut.
Can any Forumites explain the setup & the adjustment? Peter
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20th Jan 2021, 10:38 AM #2Senior Member
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I'm guessing they have changed the gib to a tapered type which is quite common. On my Hembrug that has a tapered gib that is adjusted from one end (the front) - the gib has a notch where a shouldered screw fits to allow in and out adjustment - see the circled items in the screen grab from the parts diagram below.
Hembrug Gib.jpg
If you have a similar screw and locknut on the rear of the cross slide I would think they act in a push-pull arrangement - loosen one and tighten the other to move the gib. As to which direction - I would think that to tighten the front one to tighten the gib would be 'normal'.
Now, I am only guessing at this but if you take note of how much you move each screw so you can out things back to where you started if my suggestion is complete BS I would think it worth a try. If the cross slide has little or no play now then the amount of adjustment required to tighten up will be relatively small.
Ray
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20th Jan 2021, 11:23 AM #3Intermediate Member
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Thanks Ray, it makes sense now ( https://www.wisc-online.com/Learning...2/MLT10602.htm ). I am cranky with Optimum for not supplying a revised exploded drawing. We have had a terse exchange of emails!! When I checked the adjusters, both locknuts were loose. Do you think that by removing the end plates, I could slide out the gib & just lift off the C/slide? Peter
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20th Jan 2021, 04:30 PM #4Senior Member
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I would think you would need to remove the cross slide screw as well and slide the upper section off - I just pulled the cross slide off on the Hembrug and that doesn't have enough gap created by removing the gib to lift the upper section off until it is almost slid right off.
I also note that I was lazy when I looked at the parts breakdown earlier - the gib on this machine at least tightens from the back of the cross slide (opposite end to the handle).
Once you see how yours fits together this will be a 2 minute job.
Ray
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20th Jan 2021, 06:05 PM #5Intermediate Member
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Gib
Thanks Ray, I pulled it apart, deburred & polished the tapered gib & put it all back together. I can't understand why Optimum made such a meal of providing information about such a basic design variation...IMG_1421.jpg
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29th Apr 2021, 10:22 PM #6human termite
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optimum
you wont get any help from optimum in Germany because they are made in china,
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