I'm trying to remove the key from the x-axis lead screw. The hand wheel came right off but I can't seem to get the key out. First I tried prying up gently with a small screw driver. The I took an awl and stuck it in the end of the slot and tried prying up. Then I put a screw driver against the end and tapped gently with a hammer. Then I took a drift punch and tapped a little harder. ALL I succeeded in doing was mashing the key stock a little bit. How the heck do you get that darn key out?

Try clamping a pair of vise grips on it really tightly then rock the vise grips around to try to break the key loose. If that doesent work put them on as tight as you can get them at a slight angle and tap the end of them with a hammer trying to drive the key up and out of the slot. Sometimes they can be a pain there pretty tight tolorances.

lvittori,

I use a pair of side cutters (dikes) and get the end of the key in the back of the jaws while resting the cutters against the shaft. While squeezing the cutters, pry against the shaft, it should come out fairly easy.

Bill

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions. I tried the vise grips first and it came right you.

Lucian

no problem anytime