Questions on using a moving gantry style mini-mill...

[Davek0974]

As some may have read, I am converting my Bridgeport mill to CNC, the idea is to attache the high speed spindle to it to make a dual purpose machine.

Seems I have a couple of options here - mount the spindle motor to the main mill quill or make a new Z axis complete and mount that to the head of the Bridgeport.

Mounting the spindle to the quill is easiest - a simple clamp block would do it...

The larger circle is the mill quill or Z axis (around 100mm dia), smaller is the 24k spindle (80mm dia), looking down from above. The distance between the two is 50mm and the clamp could be machined from 30-40mm thick aluminium or similar.

Would it work though??
Your thoughts...

Second option is far more involved and needs a mounting bracket and complete Z axis making to take the 24k spindle, this assembly would mount on the rear of the swivel ram (at the back in this picture)...


Would be harder to make but still do-able but if the first idea worked the much time and cash will be saved ;)

Thoughts??