I have lots of parts laying around so I decided to put them to use and build a dedicated (mostly) 4th Axis machine.
Already have some IMS drivers and Applied Motion motors given as a gift.
Thought about building a complete custom but scrapped that after pricing rails and such.
The base of the machine will be the good old X2.
Started ordering parts today.
Don't need anything freaky for travels for 4th axis work but it will be slightly improved.
Have some new ideas to try out that will be easier to accomplish with another mill on hand.
The spindle will be a high speed version perhaps with an aluminum head to save weight.
I knew I should have bought a couple more of the $30 motor controllers from
Surplus Center when I had the chance, sold out now.
I'll keep this mill upstairs in the lab on a cart, gets cold down in the shop.
I have a 4 in. rotary table that will be used for the 4th axis both horiz/vert. but it needs tweaking first.
Later, Hoss

Look forward to seeing this one progress. I am in the process of getting parts together to build a similar sized mill and it will have Hoss parts installed. :)

As you will be having it in another location does this mean there will be another console made?

Yet another wonderful and interesting project from Hoss. Can't wait to see this unfold.

CR.

sounds neat!

so you will keep your remaining x2 mill up and running but be converting a second x2?

can't wait to see pics

Rod, Another console? maybe one a LOT smaller than the last one.:eek:
I just want to roll this around on a cart upstairs so maybe i'll build it into the cart:idea:

Teyber, this will be a regular sized X2 with some improvements for the reason stated above.
Ordered some castings because I won't need all the stuff we usually replace like the screws.
Can use the big X2 to mod the new parts.
Have some new things to try.:)
Pics will come.

Sweet, can't wait to see what you come up with :)

Buyer beware. Got my motor from http://stores.ebay.com/HIGH-QUALITY-AT-LOW-PRICES
Motor seems like it's OK but we'll see when I get a power supply for it.
Paid $19.99 shipping and they sent the motor wrapped in brown paper
stuffed into a $4.80 Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope!
Cheap SOB's could have at least used a flat rate BOX for $10.23 and gave the motor some protection.
Freakin Fleabay

Backorder sucks! Will be another month waiting on castings.:(

Want to get back to more fun stuff like these without tying up the "big" mill.

Look at that little X2 :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFevPdUw23s&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUd3QsPYrVQ&feature=channel_page

I look forward to your project, Hoss. We manufacture mostly round stock and currently have a Novakon NM-135 CNC mill on order with the fourth axes RT. Your OD engraving interests me because it is exactly what I would like to be able to accomplish with the new system.
We manufacture tactical training products and currently have them laser engraved, however I think that rotary engraving would look much nicer and last longer.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn103/Karmaarma/groupengraveditems.jpg
We are using Novakons CD100 controller (4 203V's) with the 4 axes mill (KX3 equiv), 6" RT, and bundled Mach3 and Bob CAD/CAM.
What types of tooling have you used to do your engraving? Do you have any suggestions for us on our setup?
Thank you for sharing all of your great projects.

A month?

I dunno Hoss, you could probably get done CNC'ing that lathe in a month.

:wave:

Cheers,

BW

TacPyro,
I just used a 1/16 endmill in the video, used a 60 degree engraving point from Harvey Tool (http://www.harveytool.com/products/search.php?keyword=engraving)for others.
2Linc (http://www.2linc.com/) has lots of engraving tools and software.

Bob,
That sounds too much like work,:)