In the following video, I'll be showing you how to make a leadscrew cover for your Sherline mill. A text version is also available
below. You can also see more miscellaneous videos about this topic
here.
In this article, I'll be showing you how to make a leadscrew cover for your Sherline mill. A video is also available
above.
First, we'll make a bellow cover using a thin sheet of plastic. You can also use tracing paper. The template for the bellow cover can be downloaded
here. Stick the printed template onto the plastic sheet using double sided tape and cut out the shape of the template. The original design of the template came from this
blog.
Fold along the horizontal lines in alternating direction. After that, reverse the fold from the outside edges until the zigzag lines. Then, make creases along the zigzag lines. These steps will make the actual folding much easier.
And now comes the tricky part. Fold the edges so that it forms a right angle using what is known in origami as the “Outside Reverse Fold”. Repeat the same steps for all the edges on one side first, and then move on to complete the other side. And there you have it, a complete bellow cover. You’ll need to make two of these to cover both ends of the leadscrew.
Next, we’ll make the mounting plate that will hold the bellow cover. You can make your mounting plate out of aluminium, plastic or even cardboard. The template for the mounting can also be downloaded
here. When using cardboard, stick the printed template onto the cardboard and cut out the shape of the mounting plate.
Finally, attach the bellow cover and mounting plate to your Sherline mill. The easiest method is to use double sided tape. I recommend using the “3M Scotch Permanent Double Sided Tape” because it will not come off easily. You can also attach the bellow cover and mounting plate using screws if you don’t mind drilling holes to your Sherline mill.
Feel free to download the templates to make your own leadscrew cover and please post me your comments or queries if you have any.
