Y-Axis Feed Screw on the HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe: Fit Guide

By Products for bench top machinists | LittleMachineShop.com | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: How-to Guides

Replace the Y-axis feed screw on a HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe with a step-by-step fit check, backlash diagnosis, and install sequence that avoids stripped threads.

Quick answer

Replace the Y-axis feed screw on a HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe only after confirming the backlash is in the screw and nut, not the bearings or gib. Use the Sieg part 6550-11-14 replacement, check thread engagement by hand before mounting the table, and set bearing preload before tightening the nut.

Why Y-axis backlash is not always the feed screw

Backlash on the Y axis can come from four places: the feed screw threads, the bronze nut, the thrust bearing stack, or a loose gib. Replacing the screw when the nut is worn simply moves the play to a new part. Before ordering, lock the table and try to move the Y handwheel by hand; if the handwheel moves without table movement, the play is in the bearing stack or the nut, not the screw threads.

A worn feed screw usually shows up as tight spots in the middle of travel and loose spots at the ends, or visible thread flattening. If the backlash is uniform across the travel, suspect the nut or bearings first.

Fit checks before you remove the old screw

The HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe Y-axis feed screw is listed as Sieg part 6550-11-14. Compare the replacement to the old screw with the table off: overall length, thread direction, and the bearing journal diameter at the handwheel end. A screw that threads in by hand but binds at the bearing journal will load the thrust bearings and feel tight at the handwheel.

If the catalog listing does not state a thread pitch or journal diameter, measure your old screw and compare before assembly. The listing does not publish those dimensions, so the old part is your reference.

When to replace the nut at the same time

A new feed screw running in a worn nut will still have backlash. If the old nut has visible thread wear or the backlash was uniform across travel, plan to replace the nut with the screw. If the nut is in good condition, clean it and check that the new screw threads through it by hand before installation.

Do not force a new screw through a tight nut. If it binds by hand, stop and check the thread start and part number rather than running it in under power feed.

Step-by-step Y-axis feed screw replacement

Measure backlash before disassembly: Set a dial indicator against the Y table and turn the handwheel to record backlash at the front, middle, and rear of travel. Write the numbers down. If backlash is the same at all three points, check the nut and bearings before buying a screw.
Remove the table and old screw: Support the table, remove the Y-axis end hardware, and slide the table off. Withdraw the old feed screw and keep the thrust bearing stack in order. Lay the bearing washers on a tray in removal order; reversing them changes preload.
Compare the new screw to the old one: Check length, thread direction, and bearing journal diameter against the old screw. Thread the new screw through the nut by hand. If it binds by hand, stop; do not install it and run the table to free it.
Install the screw and set bearing preload: Slide the new screw into place, refit the thrust bearing stack in the original order, and tighten the retaining nut until handwheel end play just disappears. Do not over-tighten. Over-tightening the nut adds drag that feels like a tight spot in the screw.
Refit the table and recheck backlash: Slide the table back on, adjust the gib, and repeat the dial indicator check at front, middle, and rear. Compare to your pre-replacement numbers. If backlash remains uniform, the nut or bearing stack still needs attention.

Replacement part facts

Feed Screw, Y-Axis, HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe: Sieg part 6550-11-14, SKU 6266, listed as the Y-axis feed screw for the HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe. Ordering by part number and SKU avoids a near-fit screw from a different mill model.
Feed Screw, Y-Axis, HiTorque Bench Mill Deluxe