What is the Total Cost of Conversion (Excluding the Mill)

[Monty_UK]

Thanks for all the responses - a lot of good point have been made and has given me things to ponder :)

[Monty_UK]

I was recently trawling Youtube and came across a channel called Ades Workshop - this guy bought a Warco 16B machine which looks reasonable both in terms of cost and quality

His output looks ok from a hobbyist persepective - so my idea now taking on many of the above comments is to buy a machine akin to the 16B, fit a DRO and then use that to make a purpose but smaller CNC milling machine similar but Jazzcnc but smaller

[dazp1976]

I was recently trawling Youtube and came across a channel called Ades Workshop - this guy bought a Warco 16B machine which looks reasonable both in terms of cost and quality

His output looks ok from a hobbyist persepective - so my idea now taking on many of the above comments is to buy a machine akin to the 16B, fit a DRO and then use that to make a purpose but smaller CNC milling machine similar but Jazzcnc but smaller

Sounds like you have a plan.
Buy a mill to make a mill/router.

I'd draw up some of the new machine first. Then you'll know which size Mill to get. Don't want to end up with something too small.

Warco16b & Amadeal 25L are effectively the same machine.


I've recently been looking at TBI C5 ballscrews for my 25L. I better get some cutting done so the machine can pay for them. They're tempting.

[Monty_UK]

Sounds like you have a plan.
Buy a mill to make a mill/router.

I'd draw up some of the new machine first. Then you'll know which size Mill to get. Don't want to end up with something too small.

Warco16b & Amadeal 25L are effectively the same machine.


I've recently been looking at TBI C5 ballscrews for my 25L. I better get some cutting done so the machine can pay for them. They're tempting.

Thanks Dazp

[Monty_UK]

Just found my Zeus book from 1982 - well happy :)

[Bitterend]

I have just read this. I have a Harrison milling machine, I would buy a cnc replacement if I could find something of similar size, but they are all smaller, or hughr S?H industrial machine which will not fit into my workshop, even a Bridgeport is too big!

[Indy4x]

Have you thought about converting your Harrison?

[Bitterend]

Yes I have. I have already replaced the X axis acme screw with a ballscrew to eliminate excess play and chatter, I now have to do the Y.
In order to get my power feed back I am looking at NEMA hybrid stepper motors, This is where the fun starts.

I have searched the site for some answers. How do I get a readout of position from the stepper motor? or do I have to use a DRO and scales?
My understanding is that the linear scales can't be used for feedback, but perhaps I am wrong.
How does the machine know where it is, do i fit switches, perhaps hall sensors to find a zero position?
This type of control is all very new to me so a steep learning curve.
I am sure that there are others on here that have done this, but my searches don’t return any threads, perhaps I am asking the wrong questions.