Brand new lathe arrived today, now what?

[kawazuki]

Originally Posted by Blakelidge Hi, Is it true that on my Sieg C4 I can thread simply by using the forward and reverse travel button? I note there is no thread dial, but I never thought by hitting reverse the thing would track back accurately along the screw pitch, anyone familiar with this? Thanks Dave

No in a word! Thats what I thought but the reverse button does just that - it reverses the leadscrew AND the spindle. Also the accumulated backlash will screw the new thread up right proper! Easier to stop the spindle at the end of the thread, wind out the tool on the cross slide, leave the half nut engaged, reverse the motor back to the thread start, wind the cross slide back to the same place and advance the tool with the compound and take another cut. Always try to cut a thread in one direction - or so I've learnt