Mar 16, 2015 · I would expect half nut wear is the issue. All the lash in the gear train and the lead screw should have been taken up before you engage the half nuts and they are the only thing …

Sep 21, 2025 · When engaging the half nuts using the threading dial, the half nuts engage smoothly when dropped in at any one of the 16 possible engagement points on the dial which …

Dec 29, 2023 · My half nuts are not totally gone, but they have some wear. I have seen some aftermarket brass alloy half nuts made for other lathes that are still softer than the lead screw, …

Sep 20, 2022 · Also check for debris in the half nut mechanism, proper adjustment of its dovetail, etc. On my minilathe, which has two half nuts (some models only have one) there also is an …

Nov 23, 2018 · Hi, On my Microlux 7x16 mini lathe, when I attempt to engage the half-nuts, with the default gearing just to turn down stock, they seem to not lock immediately but take a …

Dec 29, 2023 · For the 1% of lathe owners who will miss this, let me point out that these half nuts will not fit any of the Atlas or Craftsman 6" machines with an inch-type lead screw.

Jan 9, 2016 · The two half nuts should engage the lead screw from both sides, capturing it. The nuts may be worn or the linkage may have been sheared. It is also possible that there is …

Jun 18, 2017 · A few days ago I wanted to use the lathe for some barrel work and after trying to thread the muzzle I re-discovered that the half nuts were worn badly. My first clue was that …

Jul 5, 2023 · Ive got a 9" South Bend Lathe with worn out half nuts that id like to fix before I sell. Has anybody done that themselves before? Any pointers for fixturing? Note: I've got a really …

Oct 29, 2019 · At some point we all need to use the "leave the half nuts engaged for the entire sequence of making the thread" method. Electronic controlled powered lead screws can make …