Users comments on these machines

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember43226]

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Graham,

That IS My X3 and am very pleased with it. I have fitted a power feed (Home made.) to the X axis. I think I would have preferred to change belts for the two speed ranges rather than the noisy gear box with its poor lubrication system.

Les.

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Gray,

I have no objection to you using the photo. I have been asked about the motor on the top connected to the Z axis. The motor is not used – just the optical encoder on the end. Before I bought linear scale I just used optical encoders on the lead screws for a digital readout.

Les.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I have the same X3 but by a different supplier and am very happy with it, only needed to adjust the spindle bearings on delivery and replace one worn toothed belt in about 5years use.

 

I had the caliper type scales on it but have now changed these to Glass scales and a Sino readout which is so much more reliable than the cheap ones.

 

I’ve not really felt the need for power feed but it would be handy on larger surfaces. If buying again I may be tempted to go for the long table version, more to be able to handle larger castings not to be able to keep a rotary table and vice mounted all the time as I find the movement tightend up a little when the table is at its extreams with a lot of weight at one end.

 

Jason

 

Edit, some photos of a power feed being fitted here

Edited By JasonB on 08/04/2011 07:36:42

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Graham,

Here is my home made power feed. It is no real help as the motor is one I was given many years ago from some unknown photocopier.

The motor was ideal for this application as it had an optical encoder on the end to provide closed loop speed control.

 

You must of thought my first reply to this topic very odd. I thought by coincidence you had found the picture of my mill on one of the Yahoo group forums I use. (X_Series_Mills or Shumatech.) I had forgotten that I had put the picture on this forum.

Les.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Gray,

 

If you go to my Alburm, you will see my smaller mill (Boxford) fitted with one of the commercial motor drive units but it drives through a small home made in-line 1:1 gearbox which uses a layshaft to allow the drive centrelines to be varied. In this way the unit is just below the table level and very long items can be accomodated.

 

K

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Graham,

Most home made power feeds I have seen on other forums for milling machines seem to use either windscreen wiper motors or the motor / gearbox from cordless drills. Another suggestion I have seen is to use a stepper motor with a suitable controller. As windscreen motors use a worm gear you would need to put some form of clutch between the motor and the lead screw to enable manual feed to be used.

If you decide on an X3 then when you wash out the head assembly in paraffin do not be as liberal as I was. The paraffin dissolves the adhesive on the label on the front as you can see in the picture of my mill.

 

Les.

[mgjParticipant @mgj]

I have the stick up type, and it has never been a problem .

 

Perhaps it depends on the size of the table compared with the size of object one is considering, but tables have 2 ends and you only have 1 powered feed unit? If I had to have a projection at both ends, for a one off (if ever), I’d dismount the power feed and hand crank.

 

It also I daresay depends on what one likes doing, and the amount of time available –

[dcostaParticipant @dcosta]

Hello Graham.

I have an Optimus BF20 milling machine that is in many ways similar to that SIEG presented in Your message.

For that BF20 milling machine I built a simple automatic feed from a stepper motor I bought from the firm ArcEuro Trade (220Ncm – 10mm Shaft – Hybrid Stepper Motor) and a controller that avoids the use of computer I bought from the firm acquired QuasarElectronics (http://www.quasarelectronics. com / motor-controller-drivers.htm) ref. 3179 – Standalone / Computer Controlled Unipolar Stepper Motor Driver.
I installed a double pulley on the motor shaft(one having diameter twice the other) and another double pulley (both with same diameter) fixed to the handwheel and with the very same diameter. A V-belt transmits the motion from the engine to the handwheel (obviously should be a toothed belt…).
I have not had the opportunity to make a box to install the electronic board, the potenciometer and switches in adecent way. So I continue to use the little switches on the board to change the direction of movement and the small knob to change the speed of the stepper motor (although the knob is not very sensitive).
The stepper motor is mounted on a flat aluminum plate and fastened by the same screw that holds the top of the table of the router to said table. So I had not make any changes to the milling machine, with the exception of three 3mm holes in the left side handwheel. The set is completely below the table and not disturb in any way the milling operation. Both handwheels are also operational and when used with stepper motor disconnectd I can feel the steps in the motor wich is almost always usefull in controling manual movements.
If You are interested I can show some photos of the system, although I’m not particularly proud of its unfinished state and uglyness.

I’m only a satisfied consumer from the referred firms.

Best regards

Dias Costa

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

hi Dias,

 

I would also like to see your work (without any criticism for unfinished state, sounds too much like my work)! I echo Graham’s message.

 

Regards

 

Terry

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

The power drive on my mill is a wiper motor, driving via a bit of bike chain that is loose enough to be lifted off the sprocket for manual use. Ian S C

[dcostaParticipant @dcosta]

Hello

Graham and Terry

 

Please wait for two or three more days so I can finish building a part of my shaper machine mounted in my milling machine. I don’t want to lose the mount position.

 

Best regards

Dias Costa

[dcostaParticipant @dcosta]

Hello

Graham and Terry

 

 

You can find some pictures on my last album titled “My simple milling table feed”.

You will see I have yet to do a lot of work to give the device some “dignity”. I am not trustable at all in electronics so…

The belt, being very elastic, provides the means to change from one pulley to the other very easily and I have not found any slip.

 

If You need some more information, please, feel free top ask.

 

Best regards

Dias Costa

Edited By Dias Costa on 12/04/2011 23:21:30

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Thanks Dias,

 

as well as the table drive, I am also very interested in the progress of your Gingery shaper and wonder if there are any more recent photographs, I was really impressed with your early progress on that machine.

 

Best regards

 

Terry

[dcostaParticipant @dcosta]

Hello Terry.

 

Yes there is some progress.

Mainly I tested its motions driven by a temporary motor – I still didn’t decide on a definitive one.Even without the so called cross slide and table (so I can’t test any cutting). It works very, very smoothly.

I sent to repair a 10 years old camcorder by JVC with the purpose to use it filming the shaper in motion. The camcorder ca with the original problem solved but soon showed new problems so I sent it once again to the repairer.

Meanwhile I may take some pictures because I mounted it on a Black and Decker Work Mate and so it is easier to take pictures. Maybe tomorrow…

 

Best regards

Dias Costa

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Hi Dias,

 

I really look forward to seeing them when you manage to overcome your problems.

 

Best regards

 

Terry

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