Thread: Nuttall - short bed- ex tafe - anyone have one?

Originally Posted by Cambimotor

Hi,
i was just wondering if you still have that imperial lead screw for the short bed Nuttle lathe - ex tafe.
i have one in good condition - yes the metric version. I love the lathe to use, only problem I would love to be able to cutt imperial threads - I have the 127 tooth change gear. Can any one help with cutting imperial threads on a metric lath .

Regards
Rod

Depends on what you do have... Nuttall did make metric lathes towards the end of their life...

You will need change gears to cut the imperial threads, from memory Nuttall used an involute spline for the change gear centres, which complicates matters considerably if you do not have all the change gears...

Also a leadscrew itself will not be much help without half nuts...

Originally Posted by .RC.

Also a leadscrew itself will not be much help without half nuts...

I remember using a converted one at TAFE. What a PITA - the cross slide screw was originally 8 TPI IIRC, new dial was a direct metric conversion, something stupid like 3.17mm.

Funnily enough I have an inch leadscrew, half nuts and threading indicator for one of those lathes. The teachers saved all the leadscrews and bits, stashed them away in case they ever needed them or wanted them for some other project. I've never found a use for mine yet but who knows, one day I might. If I could remember where it is.....

I did find a piece of 14DP rack the other day though so one step closer.

PDW