I am a highschool student struggling with his CNC conversion, its the electronic part thats killing me.
Just noticed this part of the forum today,
Is there anybody within driveable distance of Seacoast NH that can help me out with this thing?
For the record
its a small milling machine i am converting, a Hobby CNC driver board with 4 Vexta PH motors

Phantomcow2
I am close to the same area, halfway between manchester and portsmouth, on 101.
Send me a private message, and I may be able to assist.

Keith
NEATman

Hi guys Im over in the Concord area... I've been wondering how many of us are in NH...

Theres also a poster named Novah who is in NH, in the milton area I believe

I'm in Merrimack also looking for some advice on setting up my mini mill for cnc

Hi Dropride,

I moved from Merrimack in 2000. Im in Henniker (The only one on earth). If you have questions you should just ask, lots of folks here with lots of answers...

Hi fellow NH home machinists - As Phantomcow2 said, I am in Milton, NH. I just got a JET 20" Mill/Drill that I am going to CNC. I have the components to build the power supply already purchased as well as TurboCad for software. I am building a stand for it next to get it up off the garage floor.

Dave

Hello,

I just registered here tonight. I live in the Seacoast area. I am very familiar with the CAD/CAM side of all this. I am learning the mechanics and electronic side of CNC where I work. Still a bit of a novice on that side of things. Someday I hope to have my own machine.

Cheers,

Dan

DanC, are you in NH?
I highly recommend building a machine, even converting a mill to CNC, you will learn a great deal about the mechanical side.
The electrical is what is slowing me down, but i'm getting there...

Yes, I'm in Portsmouth, NH.

Oh wow, I'm in Dover.
Do you work at a machine shop?

Hi Dan - It's nice to see there are a few guys around the Seacoast area of New Hampshire that are interested in the hobby machine thing. I have bought a 9 x 20 lathe since my last post in this thread. I built stands for it and the mill drill and am getting my shop set up with lights and cabinets.

I bought the lathe to help cnc the mill plus there are a number of projects I have in mind for later on. I don't think I will cnc the lathe.

How have you gotten your cad cam experience? What are your machining interests ? Dave

Hey Phantomcow2 - how is your cnc project coming? Did Neatman get over to help out? Dave

Novah-
Phantomcow2 came over to see me. He is really getting a lot done on this project. I am waiting to see some pictures, as I didn't get a chance to see the progress so far in person. He is helping me "clean" my basement.

I have gotten my 3 axis bridgeport up and running, and I am in the middle of converting an old DV-59 Hardinge to CNC. I have all the parts, controls and even the raw stock needed, I just need the time to finalize the design and make the parts.

I have many connections. Send me a PM if you are looking for anything.

NEATman (Keith)

Hello All Good People Of N. H. My Wife And I Will Be Moving To Your Fine State In The Next Year. I'm Been A MASHOLE( IF I PUT ONE MORE S IN LOOK WHAT HAPPENS M*******) To Long And With Machining South Of Boston All Going North To N. H. So Will I

wow lots of people from NH on here.

I'm from Nashua and just joined this great site, I've used just about every machine found in a machine shop but always in manual mode and rarely effectively.

I'm really looking forward to learning some cnc programming and hope to build my own machine soon.

i have TONS of free time if anyone needs an apprentice

iggk-
Welcome to CNCzone. Lots of similarly crazy, yet friendly people can be found here.

What type of machine are you looking to build?

NEATman

3 axis router maybe 24" x 18" x 6" to start.

I've had access to entire machine shops for the last 8 years until i decided to be self employed, now I'm going threw withdrawals. i found this site while searching for a kit or rebuilt system and thought how much better it would be if i made my own ;)

and what a perfect time to learn some cnc while i'm at it.

Im over here in Epping NH. Im looking to convert a lathe. Is there a good place to buy used manual machine locally?? I have a small 9x20 jet, but not sure if this is the machine I want to convert? I also have a CNC Enco mill drill.

wow my stint as the new kid on the block didn't last long :)

there was this place in Manchester that had a huge inventory of industrial equipment and components, i can't remember specifics so I'm trying to contact an old co-worker who first took me there about 4 years ago.

rktman8888-
Welcome also rktman8888.
I'm in Sandown.

The places I "frequent" are:
Brentwood machinery, in Brentwood NH - http://www.brentwoodmachine.com/
Rison's machinery, Plaistow NH - http://www.risons.com/sales.htm
Brother's machinery, - http://www.brothersmachinery.com/
125 tool in Plaistow sometimes has machinery, but it's very infrequent.

I may be helping someone locally (Kingston) convert a 9x20 lathe, I may take a look at his lathe this weekend.

Also, something else to keep in mind, a hardinge second operation lathe (DV-59), like the one I'm retrofitting myself, make a pretty good starting point, and they can be found inexpensively on ebay. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15323

NEATman

Thanks NEAT!

I live 2 minutes from Brothers, just over the line in MA, but it is good to know about the other places as well!

-Jeff

Im over here in Epping NH. Im looking to convert a lathe. Is there a good place to buy used manual machine locally?? I have a small 9x20 jet, but not sure if this is the machine I want to convert? I also have a CNC Enco mill drill.


You can check the want advertiser magazine, usually some machines close by for sale. I've got one of the cncbridges setups on order for my x2 mill conversion which i hope to get soon.

InspirationTool-
Brothers has lots to choose from, and I have gotten parts for my bridgeport and hardinge there, but his prices are usually a bit high.

Risons is a bit odd, you must call first, as he is primarily a rigger. You have to catch him at the shop.

Dropride-
I fully agree with the want advertiser - There are deals to be had in there. Just keep in mind what day they are put out for sale - You want to buy it the first day it's on the stand to have a better chance at getting the best deal.

I think I'll work on arranging a meeting in Feb. sometime in southern NH. Who's interested? My shop is hardly big enough for me and my piles of stuff, so it may not be the best location - Any suggestions?

NEATman

Neat-

They can be high... I have talked them down on a few things. I find they tend to overprice american made, and underprice imports.

Anyone have an X3 I could come and see?

-Jeff

Neat man, I will check into the links you posted. Thanks, I think Im going to try and buy some old American iron and keep it a manual machine. Im going to convert the 9x20 for now. I stared working on it today. I will put up some photos when I get some parts put on it. Dropline, I agree the want advertiser is a pretty good magazine. Never checked it for machines though. Jeff, No x3 here just a round column mill drill.

Jeremy

rktman8888
You should be able to find something at one of those dealers. I'll ask my friends to see if they have heard of anything also. How much/little are you looking to spend? I've never had a chance to visit this dealer yet, but I'd love to! http://www.plazamachinery.com/ Download the metalworking PDF file - This is one heck of a collection, especially if you want american iron!

Another member of CNCzone in southern NH is looking to convert his 9x20 lathe. His screen name is Cutmore. It's worth sending him a PM.

Let me know if you need ballscrews or other parts - I can help!

Jeff-
PhantomCow2 has an X3 that he is almost done converting to CNC. He's doing a great job at it - he sent me pictures recently.

NEATman (Keith)

rktman8888
I have the Grizzly 9x20. How are you coming along with your conversion? I am starting my conversion and would like to hear how yours goes.
Neatman
Nice link to plazamachinery. I think that would be a bad place to go if you did not want to spend a lot of time & money!!!

Cutmore (Eric)

Wow,.. Plaza machinery has some inventory! I would like to check it out some time. Thanks for the link Keith. I ordered some ball nuts and screws from McMaster already. Im going to try and make up some pre-loaded nuts. The problem is I only have one lathe. So I need to make all the parts before I tear it down. That’s why I was thinking of getting a second machine. I hope the conversion wont take to long. Im going to use the drivers and power supply from my mill. Im using 23 size servo motors with 300oz of peak torque. E250 us digital encodes on the lathe. The real problem for me is time. I work out of state and normally only around on the weekends.

Eric I will get some photos soon. Im pretty much just gathering parts at this point. Next week I should have something to show?

Jeremy

Hi everyone, livin in New Ipswich for a few years now,moved from hudson nh area. i have a industrial hobbies mill- and 90% of mechanicals+electronics to convert it over to cnc . just recently able too begin working
at it again,time is tight!
anyone know of someone that can machine ballscrews
in this (n.h. i mean) area , willing to pay a reasonable price
also?
nice too meet you all
Dennis

Keyteem (Dennis)-
Machining ballscrews can be a bit tricky - It depends how they are hardened. If they are case hardned, you'll need to grind through that to get to the soft metal underneath. Otherwise, you'll need to find someone to hard-turn ballscrews.

How many screws do you need turned?

NEATman

Keyteem ,NEATman,
I have read you can just heat the ball screw ends up ~ cherry red while keeping the rest of the screw cool, then let the screw cool naturally(do not quench it in water!) Then you can machine it easily. I have an acetylene torch, if you need help let me know.
Eric

Im over here in Epping NH. Im looking to convert a lathe. Is there a good place to buy used manual machine locally?? I have a small 9x20 jet, but not sure if this is the machine I want to convert? I also have a CNC Enco mill drill.

rktman8888 - I have a Jet mill drill that I have been collecting parts to convert. Tell me more about your conversion.

Novah - Milton, NH

Keyteem (Dennis)-
Machining ballscrews can be a bit tricky - It depends how they are hardened. If they are case hardned, you'll need to grind through that to get to the soft metal underneath. Otherwise, you'll need to find someone to hard-turn ballscrews.

How many screws do you need turned?

NEATman

Hi Keith - count me in for the get together. As far as a place to hold it, see who is interested and pick a pizza place in a central location. I have been in a couple of fishing clubs where we held monthly meetings this way. Dave

Keyteem ,NEATman,
I have read you can just heat the ball screw ends up ~ cherry red while keeping the rest of the screw cool, then let the screw cool naturally(do not quench it in water!) Then you can machine it easily. I have an acetylene torch, if you need help let me know.
Eric

Hi cut more,

I've read this too but I think the author said they had to grind the outside diameter down with a grinding wheel before his lathe would turn it. Sounds like a case hardening in his case. Till Neatman mentioned it, I didn't realize there was case and through hardened versions.

Dave

Novah,
I think they ground the outside of the screw to be easier on their tooling but I could be wrong.
I may have access to a toolpost grinder I think that would work.
Eric

cut more-
You're right, annealing (softening) the ends of the screw works well. We turn case hardned ballscrews everyday where I work. 3 years ago we got away from annealing the screws; too much smoke and lots of electricity for the inductive heater. So we have been hard-turning them ever since. With the right inserts (ceramic, carbine or even diamond) and a very stiff lathe, it can be done well.

Novah-
Some screws are hardned all the way through, but usually they are only small sizes, perhaps 1/2" and below. And these are usually only ground screws, not the rolled variety.

As far as a get together location, I work in Salem NH. How about something along 93, between Salem and Manchester? Perhaps Derry/Londonderry?

NEATman

Goodmorning to all ,
NEATman i have rockwell 3/4" screws and nuts , purchased
them from industrial hobbies this summer, and believe they
are case hardened , and need to machine 5 ends , i plan on
letting 1 Y axis end float.
cut more , your right from what i have seen you can anneal
the ends but i think there is less chance of damaging(warping) the screws if grinding thru the hardening is done first what do you think?
i am almost 100% sure these screws are not through hardened, i have a printout on em somewhere, will try and find and post back shortly,,,,,,

also count me in on the get together, i am open to any
meeting loc and time frame , thanx
den

i found the paperwork on the ballscrews:
they are case hardened to rc56 so they're not through
hardened

Keyteem-
Glad to hear that they aren't thru hardned. Have you had any luck turning them?

Everyone - As far as a "Central" location for a Feb. meeting, How about "Luisa's Italian Pizzeria" at 121 W Broadway Londonderry, NH 03053. It's located just off exit 4 on route 93. Can everyone be available on a weeknight?

NEATman

OK, I've got a time, date and location in mind for a meeting for anyone interested in the Southern NH area. It's near Manchester, NH.

6:30 PM to ?, Friday Feb. 23rd. As far as the location, send me a PM with your e-mail address if you are interested in attending, and I'll let you know via e-mail. It'll be at a friend's large, well equipped shop, so I don't want to post his address to the world.

NEATman

6:30 PM to ?, Friday Feb. 23rd. As far as the location, send me a PM with your e-mail address if you are interested in attending, and I'll let you know via e-mail. It'll be at a friend's large, well equipped shop, so I don't want to post his address to the world.

NEATman[/QUOTE]

sounds good :cool:

Just bumping the thread to see if there are any other interested people in Southern NH, or Northern MA. It should be interesting...

NEATman

Hey Rktman,
I was wondering how your conversion is going? I have my Grizzly 9 x 20making parts so I wanted to see how yours is coming.
Cutmore
P.S.
Hi to all the other local zoners out there!

just saying hi, the meeting got me syched about doing my conversion to my mill , i have been working non stop daily ,
before work and after work trying to finish all the little details. as i am sure most of you already know what
i don't ,it is a lot of work . I liked getting a chance to see mach3 work also , definately an awesome program.

2much2do gotta go
have a good night
Dennis

Cutmore-
Thanks for having me over last night, it was great to meet Kane. It was great to see your lathe running. You'll need to teach me some tricks on how to run the lathe software.

Keyteem-
Glad to hear you liked the meeting. Have you turned the ends of your ball screws yet? How about some pictures?

I've also been re-energized about my lathe. I've changed the design slightly, as I have a single massive rail with 7" long crossed roller linear bearing blocks that I'll use for the Z axis for 20" of stroke, and I'm increasing the horizontal stroke on the X axis to 10". The spindle will also be servo (2 HP brushless) instead of the original MASSIVE 3/4 HP 3 phase motor.

I'm starting to look into dates for another meeting. Perhaps we should start with food first, then head to a meeting place?

NEATman
Keith

NEatman,
Glad you could come over,
I would be glad to show you what I can with the Lathe. I received my stand yesterday, and the Grizzly precision Level. The level looks decent, Great if you factor in the price.
I also received the copy lathe tool I showed you in the Travers catalog, Can't wait to try cutting a ball with that! Or is that having a ball cutting with that?
Is the engraver you mentioned useable as is? Could you contact me about that when you have a minute? Thank you.
KEYTEEM
We need Pictures! seriously, Glad to here you have been able to make progress.
Cutmore
Eric

I am new to this, I just purchased a Shoptask TriPower setup with the DRO option and is due to arrive in the next couple of weeks (I know there may be better setups out there, but for what I have seen on other combination setups, it looks far better and has more options and better capabilities than the ones I have seen). I have never worked in a machine shop but have spent multiples of dollars at them. I build hotrods, Motorcycles as a hobby. I have been wanting a lath/mill for some time to use in my garage during some of my fabricating or modification of parts, in the past I have resorted to Die Grinders, Bench Grinders, Drilling, hammers & chisels and even used brake lathes. Due to limitations of room I opted for the combination unit and look forward to adding CNC capabilities later to the setup after getting some experience using this setup. I live in Loudon and would like to see other setups, chat time and possibly some help in setting up, usage, etc.

shopboy nice to hear from you , welcome aboard. I just got thru checking out your new machine , nice ! I have seen the
original versions before but not any of the newer ones
as in the tripower, can you send us some pics when you receive it ?
NEATman ,cut more, no i haven't done the screws yet, jim
is going to help me , but i am gonna grind off the case hardened rough stuff 1rst with my Lisle 91000 drill grinder
attached to the cross slide of my old 5 pulley belt drive , and i do mean old, lathe that i reserected from the dead.
I will def show some pics before and after-good thing i have an xtra screw for experimenting.

Hi;
I'm in Deerfield and am just starting a Retrofit on a Konia-clausing mill. Decided to go with Camsoft lite. I am a true novice at it. I worked in machine shop 30 years ago or so and have alot of automotive background. So this should be fun. The machine was free (cost of moving it) and was somewhat functional but the Dynapath system 10 worked when it wanted to, so it didn't get used. I decided to make it useable . I' have the parts here now and hope to get an eletrical friend into help/check with wiring.

normd,
Welcome to the cnc disease. There are a bunch of others in the area who are doing conversions or have machines.
Your price was definitely right!
What are the problems with the Dynapath?
What kind of parts do you have in mind for your new toy?
Cutmore

Normd-
Glad to meet another local CNC addict here in Southern NH. I'm working on planning yet another get together. It most likely won't be until May, but you are welcome to attend. It is usually held near Manchester. Send me a private message if you would like to be on the e-mailing list.

NEATman