So do you guys think that a lathe conversion is the way to got for me with my current budget? Is the round bed/old lathe setup I added a link to in my previous post (similar to the one I currently have) suitable for such a conversion?
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So do you guys think that a lathe conversion is the way to got for me with my current budget? Is the round bed/old lathe setup I added a link to in my previous post (similar to the one I currently have) suitable for such a conversion?
In a word, no. That's not to say it can't be done as a purely intellectual exercise, just that the results will be disappointing, plus the cost of conversion will far exceed what the lathe is worth. And it won't be a quick exercise either.
As the owner of several pre-1930 British lathes I can tell you that the backlash in the lead-screws and the lack of rigidity in the bed/headstock/bearings/etc make it pointless. Manually operated, I know the machine's limits so know how far I can push it and leave some slack for the final finishing passes. They were very much a seat-of-the-pants exercise, feeling the tool/bed/headstock/bearing/workpiece deflections to creep up on the desired end diameter. A CNC machine simply cannot come close, it needs the rigidity and precision in the basic machine to start with.
Thanks irving, do you know of any other CNC projects I could work on which are within my budget? Been looking at plasma cutters which look interesting but I am guessing they are also expensive. If not, I guess I will have to just hold off until I can put atleast £1000 forward as per JAZZ's advice.
I know you're itching to start but patience is the name of the game here. I don't know your circumstances, but have you looked at ways to gain access to someone else's machine for example? Maybe there's a local tech college evening course, or a local small engineering firm that might be amenable in return for free labour - use your imagination and get creative!
Ok I can't see such enthusiasm go un-rewarded or dampened. . .:hysterical:
I'm very soon going to be upgrading my own machine with new profiled rails, ballscrews and nearly most of the gantry and Z axis in preparation for sale. So when I do then old ones are yours for just 24 pack of Guiness.!
They are very very well used with some wear but they will make a perfectly good machine with some TLC.
Linear bearings are Profiled Hi-win and still fine but ballnut/screws and end bearings are worn but with some new balls/bearings then they could be brought back to life and tweak a few more years from them.
There should be most of the parts needed for machine except the main frame. I'll PM you when they are off and available.
I already greatly appreciated your guidance and learning from your huge amount of knowledge and experience (that alone has saved me so much potentially wasted time and money for which I cant thank you enough) but, getting such a huge amount of help from you with parts for the build...I don't really know what to say but THANK YOU!!! I don't know how I could ever return such a big favor and know for sure that a 24 pack of Guiness is no where near enough to do so!!!
Thank you for everything, I am very grateful and owe you big time!!!
EDIT: Do you think that the following (http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/1541-...-framed-router) would still be a suitable build with these parts or is there something better suited?