Early Sherline 5000 Mill Z-Axis Lock

[Mike DonnerstagParticipant @mikedonnerstag]

[Mike DonnerstagParticipant @mikedonnerstag]

I've been asked by a friend to look at modifying his early (pre Feb 1999) Sherline 5000 Mill, where the Z-axis lock does not lock the head solidly. The original lock applied pressure to a ball bearing that acts upon the plastic tapered gib. This early solution to locking the head obviously did not work well as Sherline changed the way the head locks. Sherline now supply a saddle lock upgrade kit that is a locknut that acts against the leadscrew nut.

I wondered whether anyone here has experience of this mill and what they think of the upgraded Z-axis (head) lock.

Also, can anyone confirm the thread of the metric leadscrew. It seems to be a left-hand thread M10 x 1.

Many thanks,

Mike

Edited By Mike Donnerstag on 22/09/2023 10:51:40

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

No experience of it, Mike … but it appears to be well-thought-out

**LINK**

Column Saddle Lock Upgrade

MichaelG

[Mike DonnerstagParticipant @mikedonnerstag]

Thanks Michael. I installed it on the milling machine, though it doesn't lock the head against the column, only locking the head to the leadscrew. There is still 0.16mm of movement due to the backlash in the mechanism. Of course, this isn't an issue if the Z-axis is always wound 'UP' to the desired measurement and now down. I had a feeling this would be the case with this lock, though I am a little disappointed.

Mike

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