Too much wheel turning before bed begans to travel

[Vogavt]

Newbie here...........

I just bought a new HF 44991. When I rotate the front wheel (y), I notice it takes 0.105"" before the bed starts to move. I looked at it from the bottom and didn't see anywhere to make any adjustments. I also notice that the shaft of the worm gear backs out of the base before the bed moves as well. It also then recedes back in to the base before moving again.

Is this normal? If not, where do I make adjustments?

Thanks in advance,

Vogavt

[fyffe555]

This is a standard problem with almost all the HF small machines. The backlash you're describing is due to the leadscrew being poorly located so it moves and possibly movement in the drive nut also.

The leadscrew is located by a machined in collar on the screw being trapped between the table base and the aluminum section between the table and the graduated collar before the handle. The aluminum section has a relief cut into it to accomodate the leadscrew collar and the space is too large so the leadscrew can move back and forth. To fix it you can either shim the gap, cut back the aluminum section tp remove the slack or as some have done, resort to major surgery and install ball thrust bearings such as the other axis has.

The driving nut has limited adjustment. Even with some modifications and adjustments you're going to have some backlash. It can be reduced though.

If you've not already done so have a look at http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...4999/44991.PDF

[Vogavt]

Thanks for the response.

I have in fact looked at the pdf file but still not sure where to put the shim or make any adjustments. If you have looked at the pdf yourself, could you give me an item number(s) to look at more closely? They are listed at the last few pages along with a sketch with callouts for matching numbers.

I thought the correct term was "backlash" but what I've seen listed here has been a much smaller amount. I wasn't expecting 0.105" of backlash.

If someone else has this machine and can provide photos as to how/where adjustments are made I think it would be a benefit to future new owners (newbies) as well.

Thanks again...