On Dec 30, 11:50*am, "Bob La Londe" wrote:
As with many such "inexpensive" products the manual and documentation has
the basic safety stuff to try and mitigate liability, but not a lot of
operation detail. *Never having played with a metal lathe before I am
learning how to make tools and fixtures (I think I have a grasp of the
distinction now) and accessories.

One little project was made easier by use of the feed, but I noticed
something odd. *In forward feed (right to left with chuck turning towards
the operator) I have to hold the gear engage lever up or it drops out of
gear and stops feeding. *It's a very positive feel like that is what it is
supposed to do. *However, when reverse feed is engaged (left to right) It
does not drop out. *It stays positively engaged. *Is this normal? *Should it
drop out when I let off the lever in either direction or should it stay
engaged in both directions? *Or should it do exactly what it does. *I just
now took the gear cover off to take a look, and except for swapping gears
for different feed rates or thread spacing there is no obvious way to change
its operation.

Is this a 7x mini? "The Mini-Lathe" by David Fenner may help, covers
the 7xs. Amazon and others have it, it's British. There are also
quite a number of web sites devoted to the 7x.

Not too sure what you mean by "gear engage lever", the half-nut lever
on the carriage or the direction changing lever on the headstock?
Either one is supposed to stay put until you change it. If it's the
directional change lever("tumbler"), I'd have to look at mine, but I
believe that lever has a dog that engages a dimple or hole in the
headstock to hold it in place. Mine's a few years old and who knows
what they've done to the design lately.
This thing is so small I normally don't use anything but hand feeding
for the parts I turn on it. If it's your half-nuts that don't stay
engaged, you need to do something about the detent in the apron.

Stan