I installed a new Servo 150 X-axis powerfeed on my Bridgeport maybe a year ago.
It has worked correctly since then until yesterday, when it suddenly stopped. I
was milling a chunk of unknown aluminum with a 1½" indexable carbide mill with 3
inserts, cut was .050" deep, feed pretty stout. It had been cutting under those
conditions just fine (using kerosene as a lubricant/coolant) but suddenly
mid-cut it just stopped. I didn't hear any ominous noises, no *crunch*, no
electrical type noises, no smoke or smell of electrical issues. I removed the
crank handle and slid off the bronze gear, and activated the switch - pinion was
turning smoothly in both directions. I put the bronze gear back on (didn't
remove any shims) and held it with my fingers and hit the lever. It felt like
the teeth weren't fully meshing, in fact they were just barely touching. I
removed one of the thick shims and reinstalled everything, now it feeds fine but
I don't know if the backlash is adjusted correctly anymore.

Nor does it make much sense how the gears could have worked their way apart to
the point where they didn't even mesh.

My problem is I discarded the instructions as to how to set the backlash. I
don't have a contact at Servo, don't know how to reach them. Does anyone know
how to set the backlash correctly in a Servo powerfeed unit? It's the 150 oz-in
one, if that matters.

Grant Erwin
Kirkland, Washington