DIY mill...

[Robin Hewitt]

Is that a new mount for the end of your table Robin?

I'd have cast it :)

It's not too late for you to cast it, where do I send the pattern? :D

That pic was a freaky bench mounted BB firing test gun. I plugged it in to the shop air line, looked down the shop, saw nothing breakable and pumped a dozen out at around 600 ft/s to test it. One went straight through the wall clock glass front, through the case, luckily missed the mechanism and came out the back

[Lee Roberts]

luckily missed the mechanism and

lmao !!!!!

[irving2008]

Some more bits arrived today :)

A nice project box - actually an IP66 wall mount wiring enclosure but it will house the PSU and driver cards. Being IP66 it is completely sealed but I will put a filtered fan on the side and replace the top wiring gland with a fine mesh (air blowing out the top will keep dust/crap out). It has a nice glas front so I will make up an internal panel with lots of flashy LEDs on it :)

The second is a set of 3 x 4-pole lockdown connectors for the steppers, all the way from Hong Kong for under £6 the set, eBay shop is AllPartsPipe. They do 5, 7 and 9 pole too... all rated for 20A DC... and lots of other goodies (Power MOSFETs for instance)

[Lee Roberts]

its all GOGOGO !!!

I may get to finish some of the things im working this side of xmas !

[ciscokiduk]

I recently puchased a conquest mill from Chester tools UK with the sole purpose of converting to cnc, I purchased plans for cnc conversion from www.stirlingsteele.com, he has used the Seig x2 for cnc conversion which is basically the conquest in different clothing. I have completed nearly all the X, Y, Z components, now moving on to the controller board etc.

[keith77777]

Hi you all
Can'nt afford anything like the Seig I'm affraid it has to be good old DIY. I like the plans available on www.crankorgan.com but not sold to UK. One thing I,ve noticed that if you buy butrussed lead screws they are coarser than studding and you are likely to need bigger stepper motors. The Seig uses Nema23 or 34 wonder what current they take?
Have been investigating software with aim of modifying my motor controller www.calenterprises.co.uk/speed.html for opto coupler. Unfortunately only Mach and maybe Zues are the olny ones to have a PWM output.
If I was making a mill I would use 3 inch angle iron bolted together to stant with then tack welded when everthing had been checked/adjusted. Square tube could be used for slides etc.

Happy Xmas Keith

[gavin169]

sorry I know but BUMP!

I had to post, just wanted to help some of you were looking for strong lightweight cutting head motors.

Large outrunner motors designed to replace IC. engines in large scale RC aircraft have excellent Power to Weight ratio for examples head to the link provided.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...t=&LiPoConfig=

This is my first post hope to be the first of many is there anyone in northants with one built already that would be able to share some machine time.
Thanks to all, Gavin.

[keith77777]

Hi Gavin
Yes these motors must have some chuff, I use front loading washing machine motors for machine tools. You can get constant speed from 500---12000RPM. www.calenterprises.co.uk/speed.html I am planning a mill come surface grinder using 60mm pipe for the column, a heavy cast iron block for the table and other bits made from machined cast iron held together with metric screws. Will post some pics when I can be bothered. I only need to flatten stuff out and cut the occasional slot.

Best regards Keith

[wiatroda]

Hi Gavin
I use front loading washing machine motors for machine tools. You can get constant speed from 500---12000RPM. www.calenterprises.co.uk/speed.html
Best regards Keith

Hi Keith
Do you have experience with those motors??? Any good? I plan to replace my CNC Mill induction motor with washing machine one + controller. Spindle speed variation it is something my CNC machine does need :)
Regards

[keith77777]

Hi Keith
Do you have experience with those motors??? Any good? I plan to replace my CNC Mill induction motor with washing machine one + controller. Spindle speed variation it is something my CNC machine does need :)
Regards

Hi Gavin
The motors are really good, not enclosed but you can soon make a tinplate caseing. One thing you and I will have to watch when using it for a mill will be the flat belt which normally runs vertically on the washer. I sold a controller to a guy who was fed up of snapping belts on a pillar drill. He put a V belt pulley on the motor shaft. The 12000 RPM is a bit overkill so more pulleys may be necessary but some mills have gearing and use 3000 RPM induction motors. I used the original washing machine pulleys on my lathe.
I am looking forward to strapping this ironwork together and getting a mill/grinder going.

Cheers Keith