Best way to machine ball screws?

[John S]

Dick has actually had a couple come loose but I feel that it's more they way he did it.

Ok I'll share my secret machining technique here, anyone of a gentle disposition needs to shut their eyes at this point.

You drill and ream the hole in the end of the screw and put a slight countersink on so the new slug fit flush, now get an oversized slug of material and turn down for a nice slip fit into the hole, turn a tad over, allow to cool then polish with emery cloth, again don't get it too hot.

Then put a light to medium STRAIGHT knurl onto the last half of the spigot, that's the bit up to the shoulder, smear with the shaft fit Loctite and with the end of the ballscrew held between alloy or brass plates in the vise, push the slug in and whack seven shades of shït out of it until it's flush.

Fit into the lathe and take a light facing cut , centre drill and support.
Then do all the machining needed and believe me that puppy isn't going to shift until hell freezes over and with Global Warming that's not likely.


you want 30 to 40mm inside the screw