Help With XY Table

[Denver Road Doug]

So sometime back I bought this off eBay...



It was advertised as a Microluxe X-Y table and it certainly looks like it is from the photos I've seen.   I bought it for maybe half of what Micro-Mark sells them for, but when I got it I found it was damaged.   The threaded rod on the lower section was bent.   I negotiated down to where I only spent about 1/4 of the retail price just to get the deal done.   I can use it like it is, but don't have benefit of adjusting with any kind of reference....it just basically moves without any of the measuring pieces working since they get in a bind and stop moving.   For my purposes that is fine, but I thought if I could fix it I would give it a shot.

So, anybody know anything about repairing something like this?  Didn't really find a ton of info online, youtube, etc.   I'm sure I will eventually come across something but I know some of you are knowledgeable about these types of tools so I figured I'd throw it out here and see what I get.

If the answer is chunk it and eat my $30, then so be it.   I still need to buy the hardware/stops for it, plus custom fabricate a plate to mount it to my HF drill press....or buy the expensive Microlux one which was my plan eventually.   I was hoping to save some money this way and it's sort of backfired, but I'm hopeful I can still fix it.  But if not I don't want it sitting around for another 6 months collecting dust and taking up space.

Relevant because I bought it to be able to set up a jig for drilling 8 holes each in 24 flat cars to add CWR racks to them. (among other uses, of course)

[Chris333]

Can't you just replace the bent rod? It might include the dial at the end.

I don't have this exact model, but most all of them are serviceable to remove slop and stuff like that.

Once you get it apart down to just the rod. Roll it and gently bend till it is straight. If that doesn't work look for a new rod.

[peteski]

I have that table (got it in working condition for a full price). 
You could try to straighten the bend (if that is all that's wrong).  How badly is it bent? But I don't think it will ever work perfectly smoothly.  IIRC, the threads are metric, so you might have a hard time finding a replacement. Maybe Micro Mark sells parts for this item?

[Sokramiketes]

I think it depends what you want to accomplish in the end.  I have one of these mounted to a Microlux drill press.  I had high hopes of using it as a mill, until I learned that drill presses are meant to press down, not sideways...

The thing that triggered my interest in an x-y table was an article in N Scale Magazine about a powered MOW truck... the author milled a chunk of brass into the shape of a pickup truck on an x-y table.  It sounded like a great way to get into a milling type machine for cheap.

The drill press is still useful, and gets regular use on my bench, but I don't try to mill with it anymore.

[engineshop]

Not really knowing your exact model, but low price tables (below$200) usually don't have any spare parts since nobody wants to store those cheap (Chinese) items. Contacting the manufacture over there, ... I don't know if that is even an option.

If you have a metal shop in your neighborhood, they might be able to bend it back in working condition. 

[peteski]

Not really knowing your exact model, but low price tables (below$200) usually don't have any spare parts since nobody wants to store those cheap (Chinese) items. Contacting the manufacture over there, ... I don't know if that is even an option.

If you have a metal shop in your neighborhood, they might be able to bend it back in working condition.

Not that it makes any difference (because it is in fact a relatively inexpensive item with many plastic parts), mine was made in Japan (not China).  But mine is at least 10 years old.  Maybe they are now made in China.

[Denver Road Doug]

I think it depends what you want to accomplish in the end.

Well, I think it will easily accomplish what I need it for as-is.   Well, except that I either need to build an adapter to mount it to my HF el cheap drill press, or buy a Microlux drill press.   Anyway, it's not a big major issue...just thought if there was a place to get parts or get it fixed then I would investigate further.   Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

[SSW7771]

I might be able to help you out, but would need to see the table in person. Give me a shout when your in the area.

Marshall