Presto Halfnut

[petermontg]

Has anybody had any luck fabricating a replacement for a Presto half nut?

Markrob????

[ROLANDJAYS]

Yes.

[mratx]

I have a Rek-O-Kut, not a Presto, but I made a half nut using epoxy and the leadscrew. It was a few years back, so I don't remember which epoxy I used, it was one recommended for duplication of metal parts. I made a square form for the bottom and sides of the half nut, sprayed the leadscrew with mold release, and pressed the leadscrew into the top. It took me a couple of tries to get the timing just right in terms of letting the epoxy firm up slightly first, and I had to shape the sides and bottom slightly to get it to fit, but I used it for quite a while. It ended up cracking, but I'd already acquired a higher lpi leadscrew, so I wasn't using it anymore. Admittedly a cheapo method, probably not recommended if you need one for heavy use, but easier than casting one or having one cut.


Mark

[petermontg]

Thanks a simple mold might be a good idea.

I shall have a think about it.

[rsimms3]

I didn't know any of the Presto machines had a half nut, which one are you making it for? I just finished work on a new finger for my Presto Stationary overhead so I can interchange the blades for different feedscrews. I bought some Micro McCurdy screws that fit okay, but needed a way to use flat blades instead of tapered buttress like the Presto screws use. I also had to have a new handle cut to accommodate the change in overall length.

[petermontg]

Thanks I was trying to avoid the finger blade but I found the other thread which presented the problems. It is not for a presto but for the presto type thread.

I made a neumann type holder for the finger blade.
Will post a couple of pictures when it is complete.
Waiting for a dye to arrive for a couple of screwholes for tension on the blade.

Best
Peter