Restoring old lathes, backlash in leadscrews

[BillTodd]

Is the compound/topslide LHT?

If you are going to the extent of fitting new screws then adding dials is a must, surely?

And , if you're going to make your own nut, it'd be worth adding some kind of backlash adjustment to it (you can't adjust a tap, the way you can a split die :() .

[irving2008]

Is the compound/topslide LHT?

If you are going to the extent of fitting new screws then adding dials is a must, surely?

And , if you're going to make your own nut, it'd be worth adding some kind of backlash adjustment to it (you can't adjust a tap, the way you can a split die :() .

Yes they are both LH threads. And you are right, it makes sense to add the dials, its not that much more work (!)

As regards backlash adjustment, what do you suggest? the current nut is about 20mm square so I was thinking that a 20mm cylindrical section screwed into the block and locked in place with a small grub screw. It would need to be a fine thread, maybe 20tpi. Not sure I could do that with the changewheels I have today.

Here is a rough pic...