I built an X2 hybrid mill
here
a couple of years ago and sold it twelve months later. I CNC'd an X3 in between but I have regretted selling the X2 ever since. It was far more rigid than the X3 so I got to thinking why not build another.
I have been collecting parts for quite a while now and got the last bits from Hoss this week. I have to give a plug here as Hoss has been fantastic helping me out with parts and his machining is something I aspire to. His rates are very good and it is a no fuss service so anybody thinking of using him I can highly recommend.
The final details of this machine are far from set in concrete and it will evolve rather than be meticulously planned. I don't have the patience for drawing everything out and prefer to have challenges along the way - good excuse hey.
The column will be a chunk of 200mm square RHS and Z axis will be 25mm four way linear rails mounted on 50 by 25 solid that I will mill flat after fixing to the column.
The compound table is a KT179 and it was the best quality table I could find. The cheaper models do not have a drain around the perimeter and I will be using flood on this machine so that was important to me.
The spindle will be an X2 with R8 taper and I have already fitted the belt drive kit to it – nice and quiet. I also have a 2HP 3phase 24,000 RPM water cooled spindle and VFD. I am thinking of being able to swap between the two but would like some feedback on this.
I have some 5056 drivers, 497oz dual shaft motors, 48 volt power supply, smoothstepper and C10 breakout board for the electronics. To house all this I have an electrical enclosure that I will play around with.
I will use Roton ballscrews and double nuts on X and Y and Hoss’s Z axis assembly.
I will build this from the ground up and incorporate a steel stand and enclosure in the design.
The build will be slow as I am still completing a gantry router but I thought I would chuck this up here so that the collective knowledge might offer some suggestions.
Forgot I have included a jpg of the laser cuts parts I have on order. Two column braces, base plate and plug for the column cut from 10mm steel plate.