Hi all,

This is one for the experts, JohnS, Robin, etc. I suspect.

I need to fix the backlash on the cross- and top-slide on the lathe (the 85y old one)

It currently has 8tpi ACME (or something like that, square topped) threaded screws working onto a tapped cast-iron block which is the slide itself. In other words there is little opportunity to make another part. I'll get some pics/drawings done in due course but I'm guessing the wear is in the cast-iron block (nut) and not the screw as I can move the slide back and forth 2mm on the screw.

What are my options if I:
  1. want to retain the existing screws
  2. fit new metric trapezoidal screws, say TR10x2
A couple of ideas I had:
  1. bore out the cast iron block (with my new boring head on the mill), assuming there is space and fit a bronze/delrin/whatever sleeve.
  2. mill out a section of the block and drop in a new 'nut'

I think the advantage of the second approach is I can trial different nuts and maybe get some form of anti-backlash approach in there...