Taking the plunge again!!!

[Ricardoco]

:naughty: Ok Im looking to buy another mill to convert, Ive decided my Boxford 260 vmc is almost ready to go.

Im looking for one similar to the picture below, New OR Second Hand, if you know of any similar mills on the net. please post the link, or if you have one let me know..:wink:
4329


Im looking for Cross travel: > 150mm & Longitudinal travel: > 420mm
I would like an R8 taper (but would consider others) as I will be converting to ATC.

Rick

[Ricardoco]

OK here is the pricing i Have so far...
The picture above is from SPG Tools
http://spgtools.com/

SPG 2217-lll LV Milling/Drilling MachinePrice:
£760.00 (UK Delivery £50.00)

so can anybody find better for the money....

I really do need some opinions with this..... please...:idea:

[i2i]

out of those, spg 2217-30 or spg 9525. Preferably the 9525, but i still worry about the depth of the pillar and its strength.

[Ricardoco]

out of those, spg 2217-30 or spg 9525. Preferably the 9525, but i still worry about the depth of the pillar and its strength.

I'm not sure about the pillar either, so I'm looking for peoples experiences with this type of mill and so far Ive looked at 2217-30 that has the bigger motor and drilling and end milling capability than the 2217-III LV,and HOSS from CNCzone has done a conversion of the Grizzley G0704 (Equiv To 2217-III LV) and that shows some of the limitations and fixes of that model, and Ive heard the 9525 trashes the motor controller and gearbox very easily but it does have a better X-Y i think., they both have the common plastic gears.. so im hoping people will put their thoughts in on these and indeed other models of this type..:smile:

[i2i]

i'd remove the gearbox anyway and drive via toothed belts

[Ricardoco]

i'd remove the gearbox anyway and drive via toothed belts

Others have done this and the guides are out there so this is 1 fix to a common problem, but as with most projects you never seem to see any real machining from these mills once the cnc conv is done so it is very difficult to asses our pillar worries or even the real success of the conversions.

[i2i]

I've not seen the machine in the flesh, but it maybe possible to "beef up" the pillar.

[Ricardoco]

Well as i said there is a shed load of pictures on this site and the complete SPG 2217 (well its equiv anyhow) CNC Conversion...
http://www.g0704.com/index.html

It really is a very entertaining and detailed conversion. I suspect i will do the same on here as soon as i make the decision.

[i2i]

without looking fully through the pics, there isn't a lot of metal where the pillar connects to the base. I would look at adding another base below the original that extended behind the pillar, and add support plates either side of the pillar from the extended base.

[i2i]

Maybe even making a thick plate full length shroud around the pillar that could be fixed to the extended base.

[i2i]

i've just had a nose on fleabay, and there are several suppliers on there selling these machines.

[Ricardoco]

It sounds like a great idea, im not sure if i would extend the y axis like hoss did anyhow as i may be going for the 9525 which has a better x and y anyhow, as i understand that you lose a little when you cnc it. Im thinking that re-inforcing the pillar is the way to go on either model.. it is chinese after all... It would be real nice if i could just buy the carcass as im going to rip out most of the stuff thats in it any how

[i2i]

what you need is that length of table on your 260

[i2i]

what is the physical length of the 260 table.

[Ricardoco]

what is the physical length of the 260 table.

The dimentions are 460 x 130

[i2i]

you could have the 460mm in x axis movement

[Ricardoco]

It has 250mm movement on the x

[i2i]

that can be upgraded

[Ricardoco]

that can be upgraded


X is 460mm + Stepper and Gearbox @ 150mm = total 610mm

Enclosure internal width 1010 mm

Maximum Possible x movement 400mm..

[i2i]

it doesn't have to stay in the box

[Ricardoco]

To be honest its such a nice machine i couldnt bring myself to do that to her.. she was my first!!.

I think i will just resign myself to having it the way it is for smaller jobs. it is very accurate with little wear for its age, it only had 19 hrs on its hour counter and as it was owned by the RAF I would assume that was fitted when new. its suffered more from lack of use and storage than anything else..

[i2i]

compared to the boxford you will be dissapointed with the other one

[Ricardoco]

compared to the boxford you will be dissapointed with the other one

I think you are spot on The build quality will never be the same as the boxford, but tha accuracy could be the same if the time and money is spent on the conversion, i think mostly this question is which is the best in this mediocre bunch....

[i2i]

unfortunately build quality and accuracy tend to go together, you loose one and the other tends to follow

[Ricardoco]

unfortunately build quality and accuracy tend to go together, you loose one and the other tends to follow

I would agree if things were being left as standard but with high quality Bearings Ballscrews and Ballnuts and the new motor , and electronics possibly a grind here and there. the rest would depend on the rigidity, if there was a realistic alternative i wish i new it...

[Ricardoco]

What about something like this with brand new everything.. strip down to the bones and replacing the lot!!!

4354

Big Fecker

[i2i]

I saw that earlier, i think it's a router. I have an X3 here to be overhauled, it's been cnc'ed already so i'll give you my findings in a few days.

[Ricardoco]

I saw that earlier, i think it's a router. I have an X3 here to be overhauled, it's been cnc'ed already so i'll give you my findings in a few days.

a little work and it would be a nice cnc machine with a super x & y..

hmmmmm x3 a nice little machine but the way the head on the z is moved is a bit convoluted and full of stress and the thickness of the material on the pillar yet again begs for twisting. But ive seen some nice conversions and indeed some great work from these machines..

By the way Ive not heard from Irving or GeorgeD lately.. where have they diassapeared to?

[i2i]

they probably have bridgeport vmc's or something better and are really busy.

[Ricardoco]

Sounds good, ide like another opinion on that machine...

[Ricardoco]

they probably have bridgeport vmc's or something better and are really busy.

well heres hoping lol

[Ricardoco]

Ok Ive gone and done it!!! :whistling:

SPG 2217-lll LV Milling Machine Arrives on the 1st September................:eek:

I will start a conversion thread as soon as it arrives and i get my mitts on it....:naughty:.

[i2i]

Ok Ive gone and done it!!! :whistling:

SPG 2217-lll LV Milling Machine Arrives on the 1st September................:eek:

I will start a conversion thread as soon as it arrives and i get my mitts on it....:naughty:.Shiney shiney, will you have lights ?:tongue:

[Ricardoco]

Shiney shiney, will you have lights ?:tongue:

Well Im working on the control panel as we speak....:whistling: and there will be a touch screen built in to the panel.. im just working on some custom screens for mach to use on the screen as it is only a 7" (or a 12" if i cant get mach the way i want it with the 7") Watch this space.............