Melbourne based group

[chevalier]

Hello everybody,

Just wondering if there is anyone in the Melbourne area willing to have a chat / meet to discuss options on retrofitting a bridgeport clone. I have a Chevalier mill, been in storage for some time now just waiting for a retrofit. Well, retrofit time is here and there seems to be a plethora of components to choose from, Gecko's, Chinese drives, CNC4PC, Machmotion, servos vs steppers etc. Looking for like minded individuals to exchange information about options available and hopefully hear some success stories.

Also, how do you find out about the CNC BBQ dates? I note there is one in FNQ in June this year. Wish I had known about these gab fests earlier. When is the next one in Melbourne? Is there any group meetings held to discuss all things CNC and bet on flies crawling up the wall

Greg

[jecomp]

Hi Greg
I'm in Sunbury and also would like to get together at meetings or BBQs. I am a new member, Just retired and looking to build a CNC Mill, in the proccess of research and purchase.

John

[Ron Dunn]

There are a couple of us in Bendigo who would like to attend any future gathering. Maybe we should just pick a date and location and just get on with it

[jecomp]

Hi Ron
Sounds good to me, what about you Greg?
This weekend is out for me, grand daughter in Albury just had a baby.
Regards John

[jhovel]

I'm certainly 'in. I'm the other member in Bendigo...
A few weeks' notice would be good!

I've built an ELS (mechanical lathe parts not quite finished) and an electronic rotary table controller/digital dividing head (just about to finish the mechanical components).
Also working on a 3-axis + RPM DRO - nearly there...
All with considerable support by the respective designers.
I'd be happy to bring them along for a "show and tell".
Planning to retrofit my Cash Horizontal Mill for CNC control (made in Melbourne around 1940s)....
Learning heaps from this forum!

See you there!
Joe

PS: @ sally-snow:
are you planning to send some samples and brochures over? Or have your Australian distributor sponsor the event?
What did you have in mind? Happy to consider any proposal by your company.

[Splint]

Hi Greg,

I'm in Geelong and have an FM3VK, I often think I should retrofit it but never seem to commit to doing it. My dad uses it quiet a lot and he's computer illiterate so the best option for me is to have a setup where the belts can be disengaged from the motors to allow it to be used as a manual mill.

I'm working full time and recently started a degree in mechanical engineering, needless to say I wouldn't have time to do a retrofit even if I wanted to.

I've not found a generic ballscrew kit to suit a Chevalier, although I wouldn't be at all surprised if a kit for a different brand is dimensionally compatible with a chevalier.

Here's a link that ma be useful: Ballscrews and knee lift for Chevailer FM3VK?

Cheers
Splint

[everytdh]

Hello

I'm a very recently joined lurker. I'm in Melbourne's East and I am interested in a meet/bbq get together. Need a bit of notice though.

Cheers
Richard
everytdh

[aka9950202]

Greg,

I am in Ringwood. I am new to CNC and built a little homebrew type. CNC with an Ozito spindle.

I can talk to our radio club and see if we could use the rooms in Burwood for a BBQ. They have the facilities and BBQ equipment on site.

Alternatively you can try tie in the the Melbourne Society of Model and Experimental Engineers group. I am not a member. They are a friendly group but don't have the disabled access I need.

Cheers,

Andrew

[jecomp]

Hi Guys (I think Seven of us so far around Melbourne)
How about that Barbeque a reality?, if we nominate -day-night-Fri-Sat-Sun that suits each of us, we will be able to select a common time.
At the moment I am clear the next two weekends and my time is flexable.

Looking forward to meeting with you all.

John

[jhovel]

Saturday pm sometime (early afternoon onwards) would suit me best, Sunday any time next best, then Friday evening (after 7:30pm - working until) around 5pm and 2 hrs drive to northern half of Melbourne).
Cheers,
Joe

[aka9950202]

I am available this Friday evening, Saturday afternoon/evening.

I am not sure of the following weekend.

Cheers,

Andrew

[everytdh]

Howdy

This Friday and Saturday arvo and evening are no good for me but future ones maybe oK. I work irregular shift so you never know. Sundays I am usually available. I'm a newbie so I'll go with the flow.

Cheers
Richard