How to remove way covers?

[damae]

Hello all! I'm trying to remove the way covers on the Y axis of my Series I BOSS3. I hoped they would come free after removing the wiper plate, but they don't. So I tried feeling around inside the knee, putting my hands in through the holes under the ballscrew and behind where the Y axis motor would mount. Flying blind, I can't seem to feel what holds the plates back.

I'm sure this is really simple. Any advice?

[Hood]

well never removed them from a BOSS but on a manual series 1 you have to remove the screws then table (or at least move it way over) then remove the "DogLeg" then you can slide them out.
Hood

[machintek]

A word of warning!
Do NOT unscrew the ball screw from the ball nut!! They are removed as assemblies.

Hood is correct. The X and Y ball screw and nuts come out. The table comes off or is slid to one side enough to expose the nut bracket. This is removed and then the plates are slid out.

George

[damae]

Hood, Machintek, Thank you!

Will I need to support the table with a hoist or can it stay balanced partway on the knee?

[machintek]

Cast Iron can take a set. I would move the table over (done it many times on a S1STD) but move it back over the saddle as soon as the nut bracket is out.
i usually just loosen up the gib and slide it carefully.

George

[damae]

Originally Posted by machintek Cast Iron can take a set. I would move the table over (done it many times on a S1STD) but move it back over the saddle as soon as the nut bracket is out. i usually just loosen up the gib and slide it carefully.

Thanks agian for the quick response! I'll take your advice and move the table back over.

[mxtras]

Maybe use your engine hoist to support the table to avoid the Murphy thing, ya know?

Scott

[Hood]

Or have something like a metal dustbin (trashcan for you USA guys )with a bit of wood on top, slide the table across then once table is over lower the knee until the end of the table is supported by the bin/wood.
Hood

[damae]

Mxtras, Hood, Thanks for the additional advice/ideas. It's easy enough to set up the engine hoist, since I already have it in my garage; it's cheap insurance against messing up my mill. =)

When I first laid eyes on a Bridgeport, I thought the knee was sort of a wasted axis. The more I work on my mill, the more I appreciate how handy it is! Good call on using the "metal dustbin" =) Unfortunately mine is plastic, but I could scrounge up a sawhorse or two if need be.

Thanks again for the help!