CNC a Warco 612 surface grinder

[Robin Hewitt]

Slow progress but lots of fun...

Problem: The oil fed slide Z axis is so overloaded by motor overhang it cannot be relied on to move down tiny distances.

Solution: Replace the slide with profile rails.

Problem: If I make it any thicker/wider my 612 will quickly turn into a 611. I am limited to 1/2" steels and 20mm rails.

Picture shows profile rails next to original dovetails. Square shows I have lost about 3mm. Would have been 5mm but I sank the rails 2mm down into the plate to keep them square.



Now I have to trim the ends off the rails. I think I may be able to band saw it? These are not pukka rails, these are a £44 for two with 2 extra carriagesblocks, Chinesium special. If I hit the end with a file it cuts.

Good thing about a 20mm rail is that you can fix it down with 6mm cap heads, if you don't mind reducing the head diameters by 0.6mm

Thanks for listening

Robin