LeBlond Lathe

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member
A shop we do work for called me to come look at setting up their new used lathe.

I didn't get far as he didn't have power run yet. Next week I'll go back, connect it, level it, go over it and show them how to run it. Eventually I will install a DRO.

It has a feature I haven't seen before, a small hydraulic pump on the back side of the apron. It moves with the apron. There is supposed to be a taper attachment, though it was not on it, may be packed underneath. Is the hydraulic feature part of the taper attachment? To keep slack out of the taper guide?
 
Most of that backlash is (often) in the cross feed screw to the "nut" that drives it. My lathes (5 of them) need to have the cross feed backlash turned out every pass to prevent making cylinders at the beginning of a pass. I have not seen a hydraulic back lash compensator. We move the carriage to the right of the intended cut about 3/4" then back to a set mark on the longitudinal hand wheel to hub. This eliminates the backlash in the taper dovetail. Jim
 
Probably part of a hydraulic tracer attachment, it would trace a template to tapers to a master standard, or crown pulleys etc
 
Without seeing it I'd say it's part of a hydraulic tracer attachment as markct said. I ran one years ago on an HCS turret lathe before there was CNC. You could make a lot of scrap with one if you weren't on your toes.
 
Never seen one myself but I'd agree with Butch and markt. As J said, with mills and lathes, when changing directions ALWAYS remove the backlash. Where I worked they had one lathe with a DRO. I didn't care for it. The old Trav-A-Dials were a lot handier. DROs are fantastic on mills.
 
Exactly, all tools that use a nut and threaded rod for movements have backlash. Doesn't matter if it is .002 or half a turn they must be operated in the manner you stated, machine work 101,, or scrap will be adding up quickly.
 
Thanks everyone!

I've only seen a few lathes with a taper attachment, and only used it a couple times.

I do remember there was a problem with slack causing problems. Been so long I can't remember much about it.

I'll keep y'all informed. Doubt this shop will ever use the taper. They are real novices in the machining area. I'll probably use it more than they will!
 

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