Rigidity of X2 Mill

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I have an X2 mill. My one serious go at scraping improved the fit of the bracket to the base and corrected a small fore-aft alignment error.

 

This also made it more rigid, but my feeling it it could be better still.

 

I see ARC now do a version with a simple 90-degree bracket (i.e. no swing joint).

 

Are there ideas for making my machine a bit more rigid. I’ve considered:

 

Fill column with epoxy and sand/gravel (sceptical)

 

Epoxy or cheical metal or some other bonder in the joint with the base (could poil alignment?)

 

Dowel pins to lock ‘swing joint’

 

Remove spring washer from swing joint and replace with a plain one.

 

But are there other or better ideas, before I do something irrevocable?

 

Neil

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

This method looks like its reversible and a variation on the same theam 

J

 

Edited By JasonB on 18/11/2011 19:38:33

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Hi Neil,

 

Yes there are a number of alternative ideas available for stiffening up these columns, including one where the owner added a bracket from the top of the column to the wall. Given that his machine was bolted down to the bench, which in turn was fastened to the same wall, this would seem to be a very secure and rigid system.

 

As I have not yet tried any of them, I cannot really comment, however I do favour the idea of adding a substantial U bracket to the rear along with adjustment screws to set and fix the various angles correctly and solidly.

 

Another idea which I do not think I have seen anywhere (apologies if I am wrong) might be to add bracing from the top of the column to the bottom of the column in the form of a triangle with the centre of the triangle being connected to the vertical centre of the column., eg.

 

cb

c    b

c       b

c          b

c             b

csssssssssb

c             b

c          b

c    b

cb

 

where c is the column, b is the brace, and s is the horizontal bracing strut.

 

Just an idea!

 

Regards,

 

Peter G. Shaw

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 18/11/2011 20:03:26

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 18/11/2011 20:04:09

Edited By Peter G. Shaw on 18/11/2011 20:04:44

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Jason,

 

The bracing plate looks a good idea, but not the ‘flexing adjustment’ – that’s just bending it to compensate for an existing error – that’s what I got rid of by scraping (together with some flex) I think I have about 0.001″ flex under hand pressure, but more when using a big and not entirely new slot drill.

 

Peter,

 

That’s an interesting thought. I have the same bench wall arrangement so a strut could help.

 

I think the flex is mostly in the joints/bottom of the column so I’m not sure the otehr brace would work as I think the column itself is stiff enough?

 

Neil

[jomacParticipant @jomac]

Hi there are a few articles in this site about, half filling the columb with epoxy concrete, ( with room for the air ram) that stiffens up the columb, add the back plate, that should stiffen everything up, there is also an article on leveling and squaring the head. I dont think I need the swiveling columb, so have screwed in two cap head bolts at the front of the swivel. as my X2 came off a lathe, I made up a steel table, and welded risers for the cast swivel to mount on, also as I have a much bigger cross slide mill table there is room for the table extension to slide under the risers, So far, even using a 3 inch carbide insert mill with care, there is no problems, at some later stage I will make up a back brace out of 2″ angle, with welded plate. even later (fingers crossed) I have not yet stripped the plastic gears, Then previous owner supplied me with 2 spare sets, So a belt drive might be something to look forward to, also extend the head out with spacers, (see Hossmachine for details). The only reason I got the X2 was because it was cheap, I missed out on getting an HF45 !!!!!

PS when I said cheap, that was initialy, BUT a new computer board was expensive, so if it fails again I will get a belt driven mill ?????

John Holloway

[Francois MeunierParticipant @francoismeunier96697]

Hi,

look at the picture from the manual of my X2. it is the piece 39 that makes the column has some flexibility, not the column. it is a simple square in cast iron with a small base and 3 bolts almost in line. you cannot enlarge the base without reducing Y travel

Scraping and cleaning this base and the corresponding surface as you did is the best we can do this this machine, or buy a X3…

cheers

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

My thoughts are on the lines of a back plate at the moment, but bring it down to bench level. Instead of the ‘tensioners’ fit an exact spacer between bottom of plate and the base and a couple of M8/10 screws into the back of the base.

 

I think the three screws in Part 39 are too close together, my spacer idea would spread the load over about 4″ front to back, instead of 1-1 1/2″.

 

Neil

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Looking into this a bit more. I have a decent slab of 10mm steel which should make agood solid brace. The column is fixed by a single, huge, nut something like M22, and a belleville washer about 2 1/2" across. I assume the washer is to make the grip progressive. If I'm to keep the washer I will need to recess the plate, if I don't am I begging for the column to fall over?

I'm not inclined to dowel the column upright as (a) it probably won't be 100% accurate and (b) A simple test (pulling top of column with other hand bridging between table and a cutter) shows all the flex is in the Y direction.

Has anyone else tried this yet?

Neil

[Bob PerkinsParticipant @bobperkins67044]

These are some interesting comments, and useful helping me with my query

**LINK**

Bob

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I was look at epoxy concrete on the net the other week, and saw a thread some where about filling the base of one of these lighter machines, and finding that stiffened up the machine and reduced vibration. If the collumn is hollow, filling that would also help, along with Peters idea of bracing.

I have on occasions looked at my round collumn Rexon mill with the idea of making a support for the frount side of the head, down to the base, but I'v never done anything about it, would that sort of thing be practical? Ian S C

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

You could try something like this: brace

I'm sure things like filling the column with concrete or sand/epoxy are secondary to stiffening up the bracket.

Russell.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Thanks for the link Russell-

It appears that as the plate is largely in tension or compression, rather than flexing, it only needs to be 1/8" thick. I can think for far more entertaining uses for my big thick slab!

Neil

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I've just finished making and fitting the plate, I've used some 6mm thick scrap, with a 24mm hole and two M10 bolts at each corner into the base casting, with spacers of 3/4" hex hand filed to a push fit in the gap.

Seems to have worked a treat with the finger on cutter and vice/wobble the head test.

Neil

[brickyParticipant @bricky]

I own a SX3 and when using a large slot drill I had a lot of unwelcome vibration.I fastened the head of the column to an RSJ that runs above the mill,with builders roofing straps .These come in various lengths up to 4' and are drilled with multiple holes already drilled .I cranked the ends and bolted them to the RSJ on either side and fitted one to the roof at the rear ,this has improved the rigidity of the column.

An angle screwed some length along the roof would do the job.

Francis

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