CNC a Warco 612 surface grinder

Slow progress but lots of fun...

Problem: The oil fed slide Z axis is so overloaded by motor overhang it cannot be relied on to move down tiny distances.

Solution: Replace the slide with profile rails.

Problem: If I make it any thicker/wider my 612 will quickly turn into a 611. I am limited to 1/2" steels and 20mm rails.

Picture shows profile rails next to original dovetails. Square shows I have lost about 3mm. Would have been 5mm but I sank the rails 2mm down into the plate to keep them square.

Attachment 30700

Now I have to trim the ends off the rails. I think I may be able to band saw it? These are not pukka rails, these are a £44 for two with 2 extra carriagesblocks, Chinesium special. If I hit the end with a file it cuts.

Good thing about a 20mm rail is that you can fix it down with 6mm cap heads, if you don't mind reducing the head diameters by 0.6mm :whistle:

Thanks for listening

Robin

Can you cut a cheap, 20mm, profile rail with a bandsaw?

Let's find out :encouragement:

http://www.robinhewitt.net/CutRail.mp4

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt

Can you cut a cheap, 20mm, profile rail with a bandsaw?

Let's find out :encouragement:

http://www.robinhewitt.net/CutRail.mp4

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It will cut very easily with a 1mm 110mm disc

Angst. Dropped the blooming thing, luckily onto floorboards rather than concrete.
Broke a plastic wiring box cover and bent the ball screw.
Still time to shop before Xmas, £16 for a new screw, jolly annoying though :nightmare: