Rikon Mini Lathe Question

I purchased a Rikon mini lathe last winter upon recommendation from a friend. All in all I've been tickled to death with the results. Recently however, I've been experience a small problem I'm feared is going to cause major problems in the future. The spindle on the tail stock that lengthens and shortens the ram is getting very hard to tighten and loosed. I've used machine oil on it thinking it might ust need a little lube... no help. I tried cleaning it out real good with WD40 and then reoiling.... no good. I don't really know what else to do to get this thing loosened up again.

Anyone else experiencing trouble such as this or have an idea about what might work to fix it, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

hmmm... 2 year warranty, but I hate to send it in to find out there was nothing wrong.. imagine what I could have done in the time it was in the mail both ways..............

JD

Reply to
Darren
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Same thing happened on my Deltas (Midi and 1440). The cure is to remove the entire assembly. Clean the ram, and the screw threads (from the handwheel crank) Then also check to make sure that there is no scarring on either the slot for the locking screw or the 'tape measure' dado. If you find any deformities in either of those two places, take a fine file to them. Clean up any rough edges that are projecting out to the barrel of the tailstock. Also check the inside of the barrel. Make sure everything is clean.

Clamping the ram will ding up the dado. I seldom clamp mine for that very reason, and I want to be able to reach over to the hand wheel and tighten it easily (and often).

Darren wrote:

Reply to
mike vore

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