For When You Don’t Want the Lock to Lock

by T. Alan

The quill lock on a Bridgeport style milling machine tends to lock under the pull of gravity and vibration. Sometimes it's nice to have it as loose as possible, such as when doing small hole drilling or other operations that require a sensitive touch.

Fortunately, the fix is both cheap and easy. Just get a round (about the size of a nickel) super magnet and leave it attached to the head locking nut, which is located just above the quill lock (see diagram). Now, when the quill lock is in its upward position it will be retained by the magnets pull but can be easily pulled down to the locked position.

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