The sows ear, a Clarke Metalworker Mill / Lathe conversion to cnc

[Swarfing]

Well i have a choice either sell it for a lot less than i paid for it or convert it? Mines very quiet and runs smooth, not happy with the lead screws on the saddle and cross slide. The main lead screw is poorly fitted at the belt end but in general could polish up very well. I have a 13" southbend that does everything i need so was going to get rid of the small lathe but as a cnc machine would work out very well. It is all about justifying it?

Mark
Are you going to complete the rest to make use of it as a CNC lathe as well? would be interested on what you would do about the motor and control?

[FatFreddie]

Mark
Are you going to complete the rest to make use of it as a CNC lathe as well? would be interested on what you would do about the motor and control?

Yes, I've fitted cheap 16x5 ballscrews to the X and Y axes and it works fine as a CNC lathe.

The y axis ballscrew made a big difference, the original arrangement is poor in many ways, 12mm isn't big enough to take the cutting forces without binding so it was loosing steps. The X axis ballscrew is an improvement but not so much of one.

The ballscrews are the cheap chinese ones from Zapp - they seem pretty good for the money. The seals are rubbish so I've protected the leadscrew on the Y axis and on the X axis I've made seals from kitchen sealant which seem to work ok so far but not many cuts under it's belt yet :-)