Wednesday, May 24 2017
It is common to change the screws that hold the change gear cover on the various version of the mini-lathe with something that doesn’t require a tool. This is my version of that modification.
Threaded rod and brass thumb screws
assembled, one thumb screw done
I threaded both ends of some 5 mm rod (actually 3/16" rod which is close enough [4.76 mm] for this use). On end screws into the lathe. The other end screws into to thumb screws I’m turning out of brass. I blued the steel rods before joining them to the thumb screw with loctite.
This is the first time I’ve used the bump style knurling tool that came with my quick change tool post. It worked OK on the brass thumb screw. It’s a pretty fine knurl. Good enough for this application.
Fits with hand crank
Recent mods
No tools to remove cover
The screws do not interfere with the hand crank. I wish I could say that was by intent but I honestly didn’t even think of possible interference issues until I tried them out after assembly. I got lucky.
I no longer need to reach for a tool to remove the cover. Good. No more grabbing the wrong hex wrench which is something I did about 30% of the time.