Backlash and Gib adjustment

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summat
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri 19 Dec , 2014 22:17 pm
Hardware/Software: StarMill, converted earlier to Mach3

Backlash and Gib adjustment

Post by summat » Thu 20 Apr , 2017 18:10 pm

This weekend I'm looking to spend some time trying to adjust my Starmill to remove backlash predominantly on the X-Axis, but also to adjust if necessary the gib strip. I previously tweaked the gib having removed the stepper drive belt and run the table by hand-rotating the driven pulley to feel for the gib/bed binding. From what I recall when I did do this, the gib adjustment screw appears to act pretty aggressively on the gib strip - going from lock-free-lock with less than one rotation of the screw. My only other experience of gib strips is on a ML7 lathe where you tweak grub-screws/lock nuts along the length of the gib strip to push the gib against the dovetail to minimise the slack - and that I can understand completely. What I don't understand is how the gib adjustment screw on the Starmill works. Is there any reference or documentation available to (a) say how it's supposed to work (just for my understanding) or (b) how to actually properly adjust the gibs?

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