Definitely going to do these upgrades to my mini lathe! Very clear and helpful video. Thank you!

So disappointed at the end when it wasnt actually Clint Eastwood narrating!
Seriously though: great  video

Thankyou for the detailed description

I have to congratulate you a great job, which I will replicate on my mini lathe, I made all the changes to mine but this was one I had to do but I lacked the idea to do it, thanks to you you inspired me, a big thank you.

I solve my backlash issue, cleaning well the nut, and applying tin on the thread.
So far is working great.

When I need to make holes in a thin sheet metal, I use an end mill.

Very informative - thank You!

Nice job!

great video jim, keep up the good work, regards mike

Another great video Jim. Thank you for taking the time to show this and your content and clarification on the details are first class.

The solid one-piece lead screw driving nut and 3 adjustment screws (1 small push screw in the center with 2 slightly bigger pull screws on both sides of it) is the factory-installed cross slide anti-backlash mechanism, based on the idea of tilting the driving nut along the lead screw axis by pivoting on the center push screw. Due to the microscopic tilt, the front threads of the nut press against one side of the lead screw threads, while the back threads of the nut press against another side of the lead screw threads, eliminating the backlash. Just a different approach from the dual driver-pressure nut system, but achieving a similar effect. It is very effective in mini lathe. I was able to reduce backlash to 1-2 thou this way.

Nice work

It is possible to update from the single mark angle register for seetting the tool slide at an angle to the cross slide by adding a simple vernier.

well this is a very nicely put toutorial, you would almost think you could make the leadscrew and extension piece yourself and save some cash (or quite the oposite depending on how you value your work)

i wonder how would that work on my lathe since i extended it upward by ~20mm with aluminum castings i made at home. my lathe was very wobbly ever since i got it, what i mean it is not very stiff and digs in with a tool any moment it get close to a corner or feed too fast. and probably making it taller didn't help, but my compound can be  rotated without moving the compound slide now and that is a plus

That drilling jig for the shim stock is a great idea!!  I too was struggling making shims for the saddle.  Thank you!

good luck always sir

i bought that finally. lil machine shop, Pasadena CA..89$ plus tax/ship. Bought couple brass gib strips from em to.

Years ago I purchased a LMS 7 X 16 Hi-Torque mini lathe and throughout the years of constant modifications, including what you have done here with the extension kit. I spent hours stoning and lapping the Gibbs that from the factory are almost crooked. I also added additional Gibb screws in attempt to keep everything a bit more rigid and maintain adjustment. With constant adjustments over the first year and use of nearly every day, finally got the majority of backlash to settle down. I installed DRO system on mine, so the .003'-.005" backlash is not a complication. It seems that every use, for a different project, makes me aware of another needed modification for both the mini lathe and my LMS Hi-Torque mini mill. I am thankful for my mini lathe and mill, but nothing compared to my old South Bend lathe or Jet milling machine when I had my shop. The Chinese products are affordable, but far from capable of holding any tolerance until modified. Once you disassemble a component and coat it with some layout die, hit it with a good stone and be ready for a shock of how far out many of these parts are. I can now hold .0005" on both my lathe and mill. Thanks for the great video.

So what are your thoughts after 2 years? Are you still happy with it, or are there things you’d do differently? This was a really well done video! Controlling backlash is a hobby within a hobby for many of us mini lathe owners! If you make a sequel, PLEASE say “Go ahead, make my day” just once! I promise to sub if you do! A fine job Sir!

Is the cross slide the same dimensions as the old one length X width. If so mill out