Milling machine conversion

[John11668]

I looked at converting a small vertical milling machine. Mine was a Sealey model but as far as I can see it was very similar to yours in spec.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-SM25.../dp/B000RO681O
I had already fitted ballscrews and steppers to another project and was looking to turn this machine into a dedicated CNC mill. When I stripped the table to look at the leadscrews I came to the conclusion that all was a bit compact to shoehorn ball screws into there. The existing screws were only supported in a single end bearing and the crossheads so unsupported at the outer end . Not sure if that would suffice
I wonder what sort of gear is fitted into the CNC variants of these machines. I think it would be good toget a peek in order to get an Idea what you may wish to replicate.

[dazp1976]

I looked at converting a small vertical milling machine. Mine was a Sealey model but as far as I can see it was very similar to yours in spec.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-SM25.../dp/B000RO681O
I had already fitted ballscrews and steppers to another project and was looking to turn this machine into a dedicated CNC mill. When I stripped the table to look at the leadscrews I came to the conclusion that all was a bit compact to shoehorn ball screws into there. The existing screws were only supported in a single end bearing and the crossheads so unsupported at the outer end . Not sure if that would suffice
I wonder what sort of gear is fitted into the CNC variants of these machines. I think it would be good toget a peek in order to get an Idea what you may wish to replicate.

The OP's AMA25 is almost twice the size of the sealey.
As for a sealey conversion... I say.. 'don't do it'.

From experience of my one:
Yes you can fit 1605 in there with a little work.
Don't use thrust bearings on chinese C7 screws use Angular Contact ones instead.
The 350w motor stalls very easily even with light cuts on various tools.

If you're wanting to do a conversion save up and get the next machine size up. (Likely the VM25LV @£400 more)
I have both the Sealey type (Sieg X2) and have recently got the AMAT25LV.

Comparison, well...... One is a cutter, the other is a toy!!! Even with the solid column upgrade fitted on the toy.

[John11668]

Sorry but I did not check the size of OP's mill.
As I now check the Amadeal website it seems that a lot of their machines have a 25 designation but not always a lot of dimensions , so easy to presume it would be comparable to Sieg SX25, Sealey SM 25 etc. I stand corrected on that.

With regard to bearings I found that using the bearing blocks supplied for, or with the screws gives the most convenient set up. These bearings are available in pairs , (one floating, and one fixed but with a preload locking nut)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ballscrew...97.m4902.l9144
Delivery is a bit slow from the far east at the moment .

With this arrangement however there may have to be a significant stand off for the stepper in order to accommodate the flex coupling. In my case the standoff dimensions were 60mm and 90 mm. This does not have to be a problem .