[gbowne1]

Hi there everyone!

I'm looking to build a CNC milling machine that has a NMTB #40 40mm spindle, and provides speeds to 3000 RPM.. The control I am going to use is a milling machine control by FANUC and stepper/axis motors by FANUC. I have lots of NMTB #40 tooling available and find it to be good quality, though I wished they'd made #40 to R8 and #40 to 5C (or some other collet) adapters.

I'd once contemplated a FANUC 6M control from an outdated machine, possibly from the 80's.

Since I can't find a decent machine in my price range, I elected to build one. The table size will be about the size of a normal Bridgeport (about 9" x ?").

Any suggestions on what to start with? The head will be in some form of steel plate, perhaps.. and will be driven with a GM serpentine-belt like flatbelt, though probably a little wider than that.. and actually strong enough for the purpose. I have seen some KENT brand manual mills with a huge belt in the head for spindle speeds.

I have access to a local CNC machine scrapper, and can get controls, boards, motors, etc at a good price. Let me know what things to watch out for and pick up.

I'd also like to dial in a small handful of basic speeds. The other thing is, Does the 6M or any of the other FANUC mill controls display actual spindle RPM? How does one get to that function?

Ok.. I won't get too far ahead. I'd like to hear from ya'll.

Greg