General Knowledge

Burning questions without a particular category

Using a dividing head
Here's a youtube video demonstrating a BS0 dividing head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckG1dm-EuG4
Fri, 17 Jul, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Connecting your phase converter to your machine
The "wild" or generated leg of the 3 phase power should not be connected to "T" as that goes to the transformer. 
Wed, 28 Dec, 2022 at 11:22 AM
My machine will not start up, I am getting power to it but nothing will work.
Thu, 22 Jun, 2023 at 5:50 PM
How do I use the Leveling Feet?
The mounts shown in Figure 1-3, available from Precision Matthews, allow leveling adjustment from above. If installing on the PM1228 stand, 8 leveling mount...
Mon, 19 Oct, 2020 at 11:49 AM
My mill table, mill head, lathe slide is stuck and hard to move.
Sounds like the gib was loose and is now jammed. The gib is a wedge that is used to adjust the fit of the table to the mill saddle. Check the manual for loc...
Wed, 3 Feb, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Why does my 3-jaw chuck have runout?
This is because of the way 3-jaw chucks are made. Because they use a spiral plate to move the jaws simultaneously, they are never perfectly concentric to th...
Wed, 24 Feb, 2021 at 5:32 PM
What size screws are used in the Vise Keys?
M5x.8 - 12
Fri, 21 May, 2021 at 12:14 PM
5C vs ER40
(from MKSJ on hobby-machinist.com) Two camps on ER vs 5C collets for lathe material holding. Having both, I primarily use 5C for a couple of different reas...
Wed, 10 Aug, 2022 at 1:57 PM
Touch-Up Paint
We do not have touch-up paint because the colors are not consistent between individual lots of machines. No paint code either for the same reason. You can h...
Mon, 24 Jan, 2022 at 11:41 AM
Why can't I use an extention cord? Would a heavier gauge work?
We say no extension cords because the resistance of the extra wire can reduce the power to the machine. This can also lead to heating of the wire which is a...
Thu, 8 Dec, 2022 at 10:55 AM