The purpose of the gib is to retain the saddle and prevent it from rocking on the bed.
| Once the compound, cross
slide, and apron are removed, the only thing left is the saddle.
To remove it, simply remove the gib at the back of the lathe as
shown in the photo. it is secured with three hex cap screws. The purpose of the gib is to retain the saddle and prevent it from rocking on the bed. |
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| Here's the saddle removed, showing the top side (first photo)
and bottom side (second photo). Note the felt wipers, which will
need replacement. The two 3/8-16 tapped holes shown in the bottom
side photo are for mounting a follow-rest. There's really not much to tell here. The saddle is just a big iron casting that slides along the ways. It is worth noting that people say more wear occurs in the saddle ways than in the bed ways. This lathe has a great deal of wear in the bed ways, and the saddle ways (particularly the front one) are worn heavily. It's also interesting to note the saddle gib doesn't appear to have any means of lubrication, as far as I can tell. Yet it's sliding surface contacts the underside of the bed way in the back, so it needs some lubricant. |
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When I say "heavily worn" this is what I mean. This is
an extreme closeup of the front (operator side) way on the saddle.
Notice here ther's a large ridge and so much of the saddle way
surface has worn away that rough cast iron is emerging! I've heard that when these ways get really bad they begin digging into the flat portion of the bed ways. I'm not quite there yet. This is one of those things that would really be nice to inspect before purchase. But you can't, because the entire carriage has to come off to see it. But if the bed ways have a big ridge (like mine do), it's a pretty safe bet the saddle ways are in terrible condition. |