thread-locking insert for Z-stop screw

[BigBadBry]

I think I recall someone showing me that using a drill press (hand-twist) when tapping a hole assures it to be nice and straight. I don't have the tap (HD here I come) but I do have the press. This sounds like a good first-upgrade!!

[benavery]

Thread pitch on a M4 is much finer than a 1/2-20. 1 full turn on a 1/2-20 is 1.27mm change in z-stop height. M4 is 0.7 or 0.5mm (I don't recall if they are course of fine pitch). So you'll have to be rotating the new bolt half as far to get the same amount of adjustment. The bigger head might help some with this, but in general you'll have to be much more careful with it.

[sthone]

Wait... Umm... we have printers why don't we just print the thumb screw part that goes over the stock bolt?

Edit- Plus is Mc-Master they have the CAD files for lots of things available for download.

-Steve

[benavery]

This wouldn't require any re-drilling or tapping (or printing):
http://www.mcmaster.com/#98014a603/=w701kh
and
http://www.mcmaster.com/#90368a200/=w7023f


If you wanted to go overboard, they have some 1/4-80 super fine pitch thumb screws there somewhere too. Problem there is that buying the tap for it is probably $20-$30ish

[insta]

Wait... Umm... we have printers why don't we just print the thumb screw part that goes over the stock bolt?

-Steve

Quiet, you

[benavery]

Wait... Umm... we have printers why don't we just print the thumb screw part that goes over the stock bolt?

Chicken and egg problem ? Can't print a thumb screw because can't get the bed adjusted. Can't adjust the bed because don't have a thumb screw

[sthone]

Oh yeah... I have a V4 I forgot I don't have to mess with the z-stop anymore (I might just do it to do it now though)

-Steve

[BigBadBry]

This wouldn't require any re-drilling or tapping (or printing):
http://www.mcmaster.com/#98014a603/=w701kh
and
http://www.mcmaster.com/#90368a200/=w7023f


If you wanted to go overboard, they have some 1/4-80 super fine pitch thumb screws there somewhere too. Problem there is that buying the tap for it is probably $20-$30ish

But that little indication dial looks so much more "pro" than OEM. I think each tic (according to the screenprint anyway) is .005.


I also bought that M4 thumbnut in case I lose my nerve to drill/tap my new machine, it'l be here Monday.

[BigBadBry]

For the record, I'd MUCH rather buy metric than imperial, not just because Id rather not tap and drill but because I think its time america adapts to the same system used by the rest of the world; lol. I'm pretty sure they tried to switch to metric in the 70's but it was an epic failure. Old habits I suppose...

[insta]

This whole thread is a reminder why we should put the limit switch on the lower part of the rod and do a Z-Max home with software offsets.