Regular maintenance of your lathe is essential to ensure stability and consistency in your cuts. One area that is often overlooked—especially with the Vinyl Recorder—is the cleaning and lubrication of the feedscrew. This might be because the feedscrew on the VR is hidden and enclosed within the overhead assembly, unlike vintage lathes like the Presto, where it is exposed. However, this is a topic that frequently comes up in discussions.
What Is a Feedscrew, and Why Is It Important?
The feedscrew, also known as a lead screw, is a threaded rod or shaft that allows the cutterhead's carriage to move along its axis. It converts rotational motion into linear motion. Without it, the head's carriage cannot move, making disc cutting on this system impossible. Maintaining the threads is critical, as the feedscrew on the VR cannot easily be replaced, unlike those on vintage lathes. Replacement parts or support can be almost impossible to source for second-hand users.
Here is a starter guide on the basics to VR feedscrew care and maintenance.
1. Cleaning
Cleaning the feedscrew is crucial because dust and debris can accumulate over time, causing thread issues that may affect your cuts. Follow these steps carefully to avoid damaging the threads:
* Preparation: Remove the turntable and lay down protective material to catch dirt and oil.
* Remove Debris: Use oil-free, moisture-free compressed air to blow away excess debris from around the feedscrew. Specific cans designed for this purpose are widely available.
* Wipe Clean: Using a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher), wipe the feedscrew to remove any built-up residue. Isopropyl alcohol is safe for metals, evaporates quickly, and effectively removes grime. Rotate the feedscrew during cleaning to ensure an even clean.
2. Lubrication
Lubricating the feedscrew can cause confusion, but the key is to use a non-gumming, protective lubricant. Here’s how:
* Recommended Products: We suggest using a 3-in-1 spray can type like ‘Ballistol’ or ‘3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil.’ These products are ideal because they combine several essential properties: they don’t gum up, they protect against corrosion, they do not attract dust and they ensure smooth operation of the feedscrew.
* Other Options: Precision machine oils, silicone-based lubricants, or PTFE-based products can also work well. However, products like Ballistol or 3-IN-ONE are especially convenient because they offer multiple benefits beyond basic lubrication.
You must ensure that oil is evenly distributed along the entire feedscrew, wind the head from start to finish to ensure smooth operation and to check for any potential issues. We would leave this overnight with the turntable removed to avoid any potential issues with oil dripping.
3. Regular care
The frequency of cleaning and maintenance depends largely on how often you use the machine. At Pressure Mastering, where we operated full-time, we performed this maintenance every two months. For lighter use, cleaning every six months or even once a year might be sufficient. Another factor to consider is your environment—if your workspace is dusty, like ours was, the feedscrew can accumulate dirt more quickly and require more frequent attention.
While some users may never clean their feedscrew and still not encounter issues, we believe that regular maintenance is essential for all precision equipment. For Vinyl Recorder users, especially those with second-hand machines, proper upkeep and understanding how the system works are crucial to ensure consistent performance and longevity.