I have a Series II Boss 6 that is in very good condition,the Boss 6 still worked but I added Hillbillys bob and run it on Mach 3.
The only problem i am having is the blowing of transitors if I have to E-stop the machine when it is in a rapid move.
This does happen from time to time and I am tired of it.
I am going to gut the mill and retrofit it.
I want to go with servos and would like to know what size would be up to the job.
I found Nema 34 servos in 1125 oz-in torque.
They have 1/2 inch shafts and I believe the stock steppers have Nema 42 frames with 5/8 shafts.
Has anyone did a conversion like this and what size servos did you end up using?

Hi

I also have a Boss 6 but a series 1, running on Hillbillies BOB, just wondering which E stop you are using, I've found with mine if I hit the stop button in Mach3 while moving, it will almost every time blow a drive transistor, but if I use the machines E Stop it is usually fine but you do have to reference the machine as it losses position.

It's best to use the feed hold button in Mach but as you'll no doubt know it takes an age to decide to slow down and stop so it's not always possible to stop it in time. This is the worst thing about Mach 3 in my opinion.

It will be interesting to here how your conversion goes and the performance of the new motors when you've finished it.

Cheers

Chris

I am using the machine E-stop but only if I have made an error and need to stop it now.
I have also blown a transistor by just using the hold button in mach.
I have only blown a couple transistors but its when I make a mistake not a problem of the machine just blowing one while cutting.
The bad part is its when I am cutting parts that I need to get done and just don,t need to be taking the time to change the transitor.
I have 3 other boards that I keep ready to go so I just have to swap out the board,it doesn,t take that long its just then location has to be reset and its just a pain in the ___.
I am going to do a retrofit,probably a 4 axis so I can add a rotary axis also.
I just want to get all the details first than get everything ready so my machine isn,t down too long.
Hillbillys' board is great with Mach if it wasn,t for the transitor problem I would leave it like it is.

If it helps I believe Hood (on here and machsupport) used 916oz/in steppers on his series 1 Boss with good results, the series 11 are a heavier machine though so it may require slightly larger motors.

I sure I've read on here that people have used a split bush to go from the 1/2" shaft to the 5/8" taperlock bush on the pulley.

Keep us updated

Chris

What is your Budget?

I have rebuilt and retro fitted 3 Rigid rams and 2 Series II A NC

You have several options using steppers or Servos

Best think about all new power supply drivers etc.

Send pictures of your machine and I can share what I have!

Jim

What seems to be the best without shutting the machine down too long?
I have never had a problem with lost steps with the steppers so leaving them doesn,t seem that bad,just some new drives?
Servos with feedback would probably be best but is the expense worth it?
I don,t have a problem spending the money,the machine is making money now and if weren,t for the blown transitors i would leave it alone.
It has never blown 1 just running it has to be an E-stop in a panic situation
that does it.
Too bad there isnt something to do to prevent this but a retrofit seems the only option.(Or an operator whom never makes a mistake)
Let me know your opinion.

What is your Budget?

I have rebuilt and retro fitted 3 Rigid rams and 2 Series II A NC

You have several options using steppers or Servos

Best think about all new power supply drivers etc.

Send pictures of your machine and I can share what I have!

Jim

I had 4 brand new series II boss 6 rigid ram's and even though the shop was cool that same thing would happen periodically to all of them. I kept an extra board with a bag of replacement transistors in my office. When one would go down I would swap out the boards and R&R the blown transistor. I rarely had more than one blow at a time.

I added Rs32 to all of them and down loaded and edited programs from my old Tandy model III PC. Made alot of money with those little machines!

Just a weak component design but not hard to live with. Until components start to fail such as power supplies, steppers, etc. Make sure everything is lubed and I would keep on running with what you have.

Jim

I was cleaning my BP Series II CNC tonight and found a plastic oil line on the
machines right side just lying not hooked up anywhere.
I don,t know if i pulled it off or what but cant determine for sure just where it goes.
I have the manual for the machine and it doesnt show it at all.
i was doing some searching on the internet and came across a picture of a mill like mine and the hose is on it.
the picture is from the opposite side so i cant see where it goes.
Mine comes off a tee right below the Bijur lube system and travels around the rear of the mill between the power cabinets and out the right side of the mill.
Right side being the operators right standing at the mill.
I am not sure if it went to the bottom of the knee to lube the knee vertical ways or some where else.
At the top of the knee is a short peice of the same hose that just makes a short loop out of the knee in 1 spot right back in a couple inches away.
Any ideas?
THANKS!!

Is there any thing coming out of this line? What size line is it? The first thing I would do is get a visual on the ball screws under the table. If you can remove the way covers on that side and make sure your ball screw has adequate lube! The Factory setup was basic and the dealers often added optional accessories per customer request and did there own plumbing!

If nothing is coming out of the line check to make sure it has been properly plugged, probably at the source of the Tee you mentioned. Again without knowing what model you have it's hard to narrow down. Assuming your Z axis is on the quill and not the Knee it most likely is for the table! If your not using much lube from your tank (reservoir) you've got a problem!

Make sure your lube pump is working up to snuff! Visually check your way's, screw's, quill Etc and go from there. Send me some pictures of your BP and I can dig a little deeper.