Tom Senior S type 6″ rotary table – backlash adjustment?

[mike robinson 2Participant @mikerobinson2]

[mike robinson 2Participant @mikerobinson2]

I have been lucky enough to find a Tom Senior S type 6" rotary table in very good condition, other then a bit of backlash which I would like to adjust. I cant find any user manual but the knurled knob on the right side, when undone seems to slacken up the engagement of the worm, but when tightened still doesn't remove the backlash. I guess given its age it's understandable.

here is the link to a photo in my album, but I could not manage to upload the photo without its orientation changing

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/albums/member_photo.asp?a=49073&p=811742

Any guidance on adjusting the backlash very welcome, a photo of my rebuilt Tom Senior Model E is in the same album, also with a bad orientation

Mike

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Mike,

According to the picture posted by 'RICHARD GREEN 2' on this previous thread: **LINK**

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=137906&p=1

"A neat arrangement for disengaging the worm is fitted …"

I may be wrong, but: that doesn't really sound like the knob is an adjuster.

MichaelG.

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Michael,

The link fails to work I'm afraid and neither does the web address, they both bring you straight back to Mike Robinson's post

Regards

Brian

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Sorry, Brian … I had too many tabs open & selected the wrong one

This should do it:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=121855

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 13/09/2018 18:31:30

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Thank you Michael, information as promised. They are nice looking tables too aren't they, very low profile.

Regards

Brian

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

Mike

My Tom Senior 6" table is older than yours, and where you have a knurled knob on the side mine has a big grubscrew with a locknut. This definitely alters the relationship of the worm to the wormwheel (but I can't remove backlash entirely). So it seems that the knob is in the right area for an adjuster. Maybe there was a brass plug in there that has worn out/got lost so that you run out of thread before completely tight on the end.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by mike robinson 2 on 13/09/2018 15:37:07:

I have been lucky enough to find a Tom Senior S type 6" rotary table in very good condition, other then a bit of backlash which I would like to adjust.

…

How much is 'a bit of backlash'? I'm not familiar with your rotary table, but could the backlash you have be normal? As eliminating backlash entirely from a gear-train is quite difficult and may increase wear, it's not unusual to find some backlash even in posh kit.

Dave

[mike robinson 2Participant @mikerobinson2]

Thanks for the responses, I will measure the backlash over the weekend and post my findings for your opinions. I might explore whats behind the knurled nut too….. thanks

[John DParticipant @johnd]

Posted by mike robinson 2 on 14/09/2018 17:37:38:

Thanks for the responses, I will measure the backlash over the weekend and post my findings for your opinions. I might explore whats behind the knurled nut too….. thanks

Did you ever get to the bottom of your backlash? I have the same one and stripped it down to clean today. There's a fine line between smooth running hand wheel and not being able to rotate the table a tiny amount by hand. Wondering what your experience has been in use..

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