Thor, or should that be Zeus?

[Robin Hewitt]

I don't think I should comment on that white paper, it would be most unfair because I am an opinionated old git. Quite happy to comment on your design though, if you want me to

[Chaz]

I don't think I should comment on that white paper, it would be most unfair because I am an opinionated old git. Quite happy to comment on your design though, if you want me to

You are free to do both.

Ive learnt, with age comes experience, so you are more than welcome to comment. If I didnt want comments, I wouldnt have started the thread.

[Chaz]

Guys, what grade of steel should I look at for components that will be machined and used for the Z plates etc? My German friend providing the parts does not know the UK equivalent but in Germany its called 'Automation Steel' Supposedly its easy to machine and works well for this.

I assume its something like 4140 but I'm not sure.

This will be for machining the bearing holders and any plates for the Axis as well as any ribbing that might be used to reinforce the structure.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Boyan Silyavski]

Steel? Mild cold rolled steel plate or plain hot rolled iron plate. Using carbon steel is nonsense, except if you want to ring lie a bell later.

[Robin Hewitt]

More interesting is the table/bed. Are you going to make it or buy it? You might start a permanent search on ebay and see what it trawls up while you are figuring the rest out. The bed from a toolroom mill could be neat.
How about suds, you must have suds to get the heat out of the tool tip, lube it when cutting steel, block the oxide build up when cutting aluminium, stop the melt when cutting perspex and generally wash the cuttings away before they get dragged back in between tool and work piece.

[Chaz]

More interesting is the table/bed. Are you going to make it or buy it? You might start a permanent search on ebay and see what it trawls up while you are figuring the rest out. The bed from a toolroom mill could be neat.
How about suds, you must have suds to get the heat out of the tool tip, lube it when cutting steel, block the oxide build up when cutting aluminium, stop the melt when cutting perspex and generally wash the cuttings away before they get dragged back in between tool and work piece.

I am looking on ebay regularly but I may try and machine something from cast iron.

In terms of cooling, different options, will look at a misting type setup and potentially higher pressure flood coolant.

[Davek0974]

From what I've been reading on coolant, the 'FogBuster' style of air blast and minimal coolant/lubricant is the way forward. Seems to work well on the youtube videos, very easy to make as well.

I'm collecting the parts for one only mini-mill.