Cross Slide & Top Slide
Harbor Freight 9 x 20 Lathe
I replaced the small 4 mm gib screws with 8-32 allenhead screws. I did
this on both the top slide and
cross slide. I also converted a small screwdriver by removing the blade
and inserting the correct
size allenhead wrench. I do not use lock nuts on either and I
have never had any problems.
The original 4 mm screws push on a small pin that pushes against the
gib. I chose to not use
the pins but instead I tapped the holes completely through. The allenhead
screw goes
completely through to the gib.
For the top slide I used three 8-32 x 3/4" long screws
For the cross slide I used three 8-32 x 1 1/4" long screws
To tap the cross slide the 8-32 tap was just a little to short to reach
completely through.
I used a bench grinder to turn down the back of the tap
to gain the extra length needed.