Web Goblin cnc has begun

[Briann]

Thanks for the info. I'll try not to take offence at comments about the Myford, given the Super7 sitting in my workshop! In my defence, I did buy it long before the flood of far-East machines hit the markets and when industry was still using their hardware instead of selling it off cheap. I also built a vertical milling machine (the Dore-Westbury part-machined kit, for those that know it) on the S7. I agree, though, that those two machines are second-best to the Smart and Brown lathe and the Bridgeports I have been able to use on odd occasions, certainly in terms of rates of stock removal (and a Bantam and a Student as well, come to think of it) but they are very versatile (I cut the rack on the quill tube for the vertical mill on the S7) and I could afford them and at least I can get them both in my garage at the same time!

Always wanted to have a go at CNC, partly because of my electronics and computing background as well, so shall follow your progress with interest and in the knowledge that I am probably sufficiently equipped to do something useful even if slower than someone with access to more "commercial" facilities!

Good luck with the project,

[Web Goblin]

Managed to get my Y-axis motor and bearing mount finished today.



Also got it fitted to the back of the Y-axis beam although this position might change when the ballscrews arrive and are fitted. I have around 35mm adjustment to allow for tensioning of the timing belt.



Now I need to get the coupling bored out to the correct sizes for the motor shaft and spindle and get that fitted as well.

Regards

Ian

[Web Goblin]

Hi all,
I havent managed to get much done at all in the last few weeks. I have a few jobs to do around the house and I have also been waiting on my ballscrews and nuts for around four weeks now.
Anyway the ballscrews arrived on Thursday and I got them unwrapped tonight. Now I`m totally hacked off to find that one of them is short by a long way. Its completely useless for my job. So I will have to speak to the supplier on Monday and get it sorted out.
Think I`ll go and take my frustration out on some baddies in Dead Space 2.

Ian

[Web Goblin]

Right several weeks on now and guess what? My ballscrews turned up, well nearly. One of them is wrong again and I am going to have another two week wait, at least, to get a replacement.
I have managed to get some time in the workshop and have been able to get some more of my build done.
The Z axis is more or less complete and fitted to the machine as per the photos.



I have the ballscrew for the Y axis and have fitted the ballnut and mounting nut and the end bearings and it is just sitting on top of the frame at the moment for me to get some measurements. Next job on Monday is to mill a spacer block of aluminium 95mm x 75mm x 16mm thick to go between the ballnut mount and the Z axis frame.
The Z axis took quite a bit of work to get right. After it was made and assembled I ended up with about 1.5mm of movement in the screw from end to end so it had to be taken apart and a new spacer ring made to suit. Once this was done and re-assembled there is no movement at all that I can see so I`m happy with it now. :dance:

Regards

Ian