This $120.00 Cross Slide has great potential in providing a very fine “low cost” X-Y Table for
Manual and/or CNC use. With a Table size of 6” x 18.5” and travels of 12” x 7.5” it
would provide a major element in the construction of a sturdy Benchtop Mill.
The Grizzly & Shars "Taiwanese" Cross Slide is well made but has some serious
shortcomings “out of the box”.
Making the following modifications will convert your Cross Slide into a valuable asset for
manual operation or a future CNC retrofit!
See the Illustrated Parts List enclosed.
1. The leadscrews are of excellent quality, but are not riding in bearings.
This oversight can be corrected by boring bearing pockets in
the Longitudinal Screw Brackets (item 24) and the Transverse Screw Bracket (item 4)
The Base (item 1) can be modified to support the rear end of the leadscrew which
must be turned down to match the bearing (or bushing) you select. The NSK Bearing
I used is 6000ZZCE. Dims: 26mm x 10mm x 8mm.
2. The acme nuts (5/8-10) are inferior and should be replaced with
Delrin nuts. The Y axis nut (item 3 ) is a press fit into the Base and is easily removed.
3. The X axis nut is cast into the Saddle (item 16) and will have to be machined out and replaced.
If retaining the existing dovetails you may want to machine oiling grooves
and add a one shot oiler.
Step I: Disassemble the Cross Slide.
My thanks to “doorknob” for the wake up call!