Highland Park feed screw

[mikeinsjc]

I have a 24" Highland Park saw that will soon require a new feed screw. I just replace the brass split nuts which I obtained from Diamond Pacific, but they don't offer the screw. Any suggestions?

[AzRockGeek]

Hplapidary has them.

[mikeinsjc]

I know they do, but I ruled them out for quality reasons.

[quartz]

What exactly is required to make a piece of threaded rod into a lead screw? I'm not familiar with that specific machine and no longer have one to go look at but it can't take much machining to make one. Grade 5 threaded rod would be a minimum.

[Rockoonz]

You can possibly pull it and use a chasing die to rethread it enough to go for a few more years.
If I recall a 24 is 5/8-18 threads in a HP or is it 1/2-20 same as the smaller saws?
Problem with HP is, at least in my case, if you ask for dimensions to check for proper fit you don't get a response, in the case of feed screws I have had 2 different lengths in round rail 14" saws that I know of so lack of communication means no sale. When I asked for dimensions for a retainer strap for a square rail 14/16 no one got back to me, gave up and ordered it, and the mounting holes are off. I will be able to slot it enough to work, but if I had known about the fit AND the extremely long shipping time I would have just fabricated it myself.
If you make from threaded rod, you need a shop that can build up the front end or weld it on and then machine it to fit the bearing, factory feed shafts are slightly bigger at the front so the threaded part will slip in through the bushing. Also need it machined down in the back for that bushing. Cigarbox rocks in Bend OR may be able to make you one. They do a fine job rebuilding the halfnut set.

[mikeinsjc]

Threads varied on the 24" saw, mine is 3/4-16. A plain threaded rod is too soft. I'm not sure what a Grade 5 material is, but this piece definitely needs heat treating, which I certainly question HP Lapidary's product in that regard. I don't think I can chase the threads because the major diameter is reduced, ie the threads are flat on top. But a machinist would know better than me.

I heard Cigarbox Rocks lost their property due to some eminent domain crap. They are a quality operation, I hope they were ability to relocate.

[mikeinsjc]

Well their website is still up so maybe I had my wires crossed! Good news

[Rockoonz]

Apr 16, 2024 13:06:49 GMT -5 mikeinsjc said:

Well their website is still up so maybe I had my wires crossed! Good news

They literally moved their shop building to the new property a little ways away, I think there's a video of the live stream they did.
chasing dies come either in 2 pieces or the round ones with the cut that can be clamped into the handle to make the OD a little smaller, maybe .020" tops.
Problem there is you can shave the halfnut to engage it, but it makes the hole oval so you still have less engagement.
Agree with you on HP for sure, the lack of communication kills any deal with them, but the hardness is not the issue, straightness and correct dimensions is the only things needed for contact with the soft brass.