Well, I guess I'm going to bite the bullet and purchase ball screws for my tri-power. Because I'm new to machining, can anyone out there in CNC land tell me the best place to purchase these for all the axis? Shopmaster wants $799 for all three and C&G research which states zero backlash wants over $1200 for all three axis. I want to eliminate backlash as much as possible.

Ben

I like Chuck with C&G research for the ball screws. Double nut. Nuff said. VERY tight tolerances. Both my machines have his conversion and no backlash!

Yea,

Chuck is the man!! (little side note he is the one who makes the screws for John).

He uses "Nook industries", rolled screws (last I time I got mine about 4 years ago now, he may have changed since then).

Chuck doesn't make them for John at Shoptask anymore. John's are welded on. Single ball nut. Nook Industries. Chucks are completely new assemblies. Double nut, with bearing blocks on both ends.

Borris,

Really? then I stand corrected, and sounds like I need to get some of his new stuff, since mine are the welded on versions........

Ben,

I also have a shopmaster and have the cnc setup straight for shop master and I have been able to make about anything that I have needed and I don't intend to cut down the machine, for what it is intended, it does well. BUT I would recomment spending the extra $400 and getting the zero backlash setup. I heard through maybe Dan M. at Camtronics that someone has a ShopMaster and has increased the table length. If a little more Y axis is appealing, you may want to find out about this before you proceed. But go ahead and get the most percission that you can.

Ron

I've got 8" extensions on my Y axis. With total travel of 18"

The Shoptask does do what it is intended for. In my opinion, if I knew what I know now, I'd go a differant route.

Ballscrews are wonderful though.

borrisl,
How did you do your extentions? Is this already in a thread from days gone by. I would be interested is having 8 extra inches of travel my self. If it is possible , I love to se a couple of pic's.

Thanks

Ron

Here are a few pictures of my two Shoptasks undergoing modification. Y axis extensions, completely differant Z axis, VFD motors, etc...

Borris,
Looking at the first picture, it reminds me of a scene from a movie "BladeRunner" where a lasor went wild during a high tech surgery. What exactly is going on in the first pic? With the VDF, it sure cleans out the cabinet. I like the extentions on the table, I would have trouble aligning the new section of dove tail with the existing dovetail on the table. But do the new sections of dovetail actually reach the gib ?

Let me ask a rookie question, What can you do with a power tailstock? Looks like you have added extra bracing to it also.

I am impressed!! Thanks for the pic's.

Ron

The first picture is an articulating 4th and 5th axis head. It rotates about the B and C axis. This unit was used when I got it, but have seen turbine blades that it produced.

Dovetail lines up perfectly. Once they are aligned it stays that way. And, yes, they do reach the gibbs.

With a CNC tailstock it makes it really easy for boring and internal threading. Mainly used with a drill bit. It can deep bore while you are doing something else. Feed rate is about 1 ipm with a tailstock and deep boring. You can also set up a peck cycle for it.

Ok Borris here is what I need from you....hehhee

CAD drawings on those extensions, who did and where did you get the Y axis ball screw?

Where did you get your lathe moter pully, and what size belt is that, I love the way you cleaned out all those noisy gears/chains.

What CAM do you use to run the 4/5th axis head?
On the lathe, what CAM do you use on the X, Z (and Z'? tailstock?).

How did you mount the 4/5th to the spindle? Can you get some close ups, I see you removed the spindle Arm, what do you use to push/pull your Z axis up and down?

I see that the 4/5th hangs down alot, how small is the Z part of your milling envelope, (not including the tool).

Scott, BTW nice work on the extensions, I really hate the 10" that I currenlty have.

I got most everything from Chuck in Seattle.

I could draft up some CAD drawings for you. We could do an exchange, I'm in need of some drawings on the index pulse wheels on the spindles.

The lathe motor pulley is from MSC, part number 00053702 approx $15.00

I'm using SprutCAM Expert for all my CAM stuff. Very very easy to understand. Lathe functionality is still in beta, but should be in full release in a few weeks.

For the tailstock, I us it as an extra axis and write the programs by hand. If I was profiecent at C++, I would write my own post to do this for me.....

My Z axis is moved by TWO balls screws. One on each side of the spindle. EXTREMELY accurate. Best part.... NO BACKLASH, Zero, Ziltch, Kein, Nicht.... I'll get you a picture. This new Z axis spindle has a plate on the underside of the spindle face. There is where you mount the 4th, 5th.

With the stock quadralift, I only get 3" clearance from the table with the nose straight down. This is kind of limiting, however quadralift extensions are quite easy to fabricate. Just need a little more time to add 6". That would give me 9" clearance and 4.25" Z axis travel.

no sweet,

I have a CAD of the lathe index wheel, and I have one for the mill spindle pulleys......(just havent put it on yet, been to darn lazy).

How much did chuck charge you for the extensions and screw??

and yes plans CAD would be appreciated, (3D if posible Rhino or "iges"), if you can.

And I use mostly Rhino for my CAD so let me know the file formats you need.

I DO wanna see some pics of the dbl Z xrews

BTW: if you do get the Extension round bars let me know what supplier you will use, since I would like to add about 6 or so myself, I just worry about "twist" when going up higher with the Z arm.......

To counteract twist, it has been suggested to go with a slightly larger diameter rods. If you want the Porche version, linear bearings.

I use Solidworks, so IGES, STEP, work well.

Here's Chucks web site that lists all his pricing:

http://www15.brinkster.com/candgresearch/

My Y axis was "Custom", so I don't remember what he charged me.

To counteract twist, it has been suggested to go with a slightly larger diameter rods. If you want the Porche version, linear bearings.

I use Solidworks, so IGES, STEP, work well.

Here's Chucks web site that lists all his pricing:

http://www15.brinkster.com/candgresearch/

My Y axis was "Custom", so I don't remember what he charged me.

Hi Everyone,

Anyone know what happen to Chuck's site ? I have a couple mods I need done to my system and he has what I need.

Thanks,
Roberto

I was able to contact Chuck via email a few days ago and he does not do this type of work anymore.

Jonathan 3520

I was able to contact Chuck via email a few days ago and he does not do this type of work anymore.

Jonathan 3520

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for update !! Well it figures, just my luck. Could you ask him if there is any chances of getting the some of the images for the work that he offered from his site ? I could at least use that as ideas to make the parts myself.

Cheers,
Roberto

First Post HORRAY!
I contacted Chuck as well, he told me the same. Is there anyone on this board that knows him personally as to get a list or procedure so one can get the parts to perform the modifications themselves?

Well I started this thread so I guess I should bring everyone up to speed on my situation. I have decided to return my shopmaster tri-power and purchase a much larger more modern machine. Because my shopmaster doesn't have the ball screws and the tolerences are pretty bad, I've decided to purchase a newer bridgeport or Haas machine with the 4th axis. while the cost will be much higher I don't have the expertise or time to add table lengths and the 4th axis.
thanks for all your inputs.
ben

Where can you get the equipment for your 4th and 5th axis? I ordered from Shopmaster and just got a rotary axis to mount on the table. I could really use what you have to do the work I need to do.