small mill for machining steel. Max spend £500 including computer

[Andrew Wilding]

I tried the new x axis nut out last night. Backlash was very similiar to the previous nut at about 0.0007" and did not reduce even if I cranked the nut up tight so I suspect that I need to look at the preload on the AC bearings or check for movement of the bearing in its housing.

Rapids have gone up from about 30" min to 150" min (+ acceleration increase) without lost steps so nut drag is much reduced.

I am happy with the solution. Now to make the y axis (Z does not have a fancy nut as gravity is working in the same direction ad the cutting force so eliminating lash naturaly)

[AdCNC]

Nice job Andrew ;-)

[Andrew Wilding]

It's alive!
Did my first tests and it seemed to go ok. Machined some pockets in some scrap mild steel.



the pocket was 30mm x 20 mm and all dimensions seemed to be within 0.01mm of nominal (although this was just a quick check with digi calipers). I will do some more serious machining and see how a bigger part measures.

Cost is a bit over budget as the electrical bits set me back more than expected but I recon the original machine, stock, hardware, motors, controller and computer cost me about £600. That does not include the extra tools I bought to do the job of course, they are an investment!

I have enjoyed the project and have learned a lot from it. I hope you have enjoyed it too.

Thanks

[jonnydeen]

hi andrew, the mill is looking great

im planning to convert my centec 2 soon and i was just wondering...

how do you find the screws? have they lived up to your expectations?
what motors are you using?
is there anything that you wish you had done differently?