I will say that my lathe was built with a specific purpose in mind.
I machine lots of bushings and rollers using brass and delrin.
All are pretty basic. Some a little more complicated. I use three tools on a gang type setup.
These three tools are all I need to machine about 20 different types of things I use. I use two size drill bits and a cutoff tool.
Now this would probably not work nearly as well on steel, but still does great on aluminum.
When I need to turn steel, I use a manual lathe.
Not to take away from the turret. That looks very cool.
I thought long and hard about it before I decided to go with gang tooling, but now I am glad I did.
It works better than I expected it to.
Lee
I think for simplicity sake i will go with gang tooling to keep overall cost down. I'd love the auto tool changer, but the ones second hand off ebay are still $800-$1000. For now, i only plan on turning aluminum, and brass in really small quantities. Like LeeWay, i'd like to find a happy medium to where i can get a good general set of gang tools and have it make multiple parts.
My cutoff tool holder is actually a QCTP. That can easily accept other tools quickly without having to reset anything to switch back to the parting tool.
My drill bit holders are just a coupe Tormach tool holders. One a 1/4" set screw type.
The other an ER 16 collet holder. It can change different size bits quickly as well.
The key is not having to reset your offsets when you need to change something and then revert back to standard tool set.
Lee
I will try to get pictures this weekend. Mine looks just like the ones pictured. It has a c5 collet with the turret changer. It Has a tail stock. Is the only difference.Originally Posted by boatlover
Not sure what I am going to do with it, but for $400 I couldn't pass it up.
Larry
My 3D printer has been taking most of my time up currently.I'll get back to this project soon enough.
I decided to up grade my Prolight lathe and also my manual 9X20 lathe with 5" Bison chucks, so my 4" Bison chuck that came off the prolight lathe is up for sale at this time. I posted it on E-bay and it has three days left and so far is going for just a few bucks!
Here is the link. The chuck comes with a 2-1/4" X 8 back plate so it will screw right onto your lathe.
4" Three Jaw Bison Lathe Chuck 2 1 4" x 8 Back Plate | eBay
Just let me know if you have any questions.
Dale P.
dpynenberg@new.rr.com
In the next month i hope to start this project back up. if anyone else is working on a similiar build or has done so, feel free to shoot some pics of your controller for me! Thank you!!!!!
I see in the local craigslist that you are selling your prolight. Your Sherline working out for you?
I really want to convert the lathe, but I have a few projects I need to focus on and both don't involved turned parts, so prioritizing :/ well see. If it sells it sells, if it doesn't I'll keep it and use it.
Which CL and how much are you asking?
A lazy man does it twice.
$1500 Seattle
Hey I don't have the words to express my gratitude for your offer and the effort of uploading this photograph! Now that I finally have a lathe to put the ATC on... I was thinking about this steper motor with a worm gear reduction that is for sale on Ebay! perhaps I can take it put even a slower gear reduction. and set a a "Set of pins to lock in position with an encoder switch to name the tools posts in that way the march-3 can use them as named tools! you know "T3 M01" etc!
Very much any kind of help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much Boatlover! Here have been my thoughts about this project
Hey I don't have the words to express my gratitude for your offer and the effort of uploading this photograph! Now that I finally have a lathe to put the ATC on... I was thinking about this steper motor with a worm gear reduction that is for sale on Ebay! perhaps I can take it put even a slower gear reduction. and set a a "Set of pins to lock in position with an encoder switch to name the tools posts in that way the march-3 can use them as named tools! you know "T3 M01" etc!
Very much any kind of help will be greatly appreciated.
you wouldnt even need the encoder.
Hwy wouldn't I need the encoder! and please understand that I'm pretty ignorant! I still trying to decide what cnc kit to buy! I want to go inexpensive but I want to have something decent! no crap! I don't want something that would break at the end of the week! Hope you understand me!
Would you kindly consider to recommend a Kit that I can use on my lathe?? perhaps a 3 axis to use the latest one to name the tool locations! any kind of information will be greatly appreciated.
Re: Prolight turning center mach 3 conversion
Email Arturo at cnc4pc.com
Re: Prolight turning center mach 3 conversion
Mark, steppers don't usually use encoders but it is possible. The reason I stated that it wasn't needed is because the tools are equally spaced. Just modify an M6 macro (tool change). It will rotate x amount of steps clockwise (x could be 60 degree if 6 tools, 90 if 4 tools, etc). At this time the pins could lock the turret. On mine (a 6 tool turret with a pawl not a locking pin) the turret rotates 60 degrees, backs up a few degrees to rest against the pawl (btw the pawl is adjustable to insure correct tool height). There are switches within my turret not being implemented at the time. They were used with the original wiring and as I understand how to use them, maybe I will. Til then it works perfectly.
A lazy man does it twice.
Re: Prolight turning center mach 3 conversion
Men, thank you so much for your advice! I hope I'm not imposing asking for it but do you have a link to a blog to read a bit more about this! I probably will use the pawl that you mentioned! because it would be way easier for me to do what you have than to have a prong and pint to lock in place! At the end of the day a turret only put pressure in one direction, and I hope that I'm not asking for to much but would you recommend a place to buy a good decent CNC kit! I'm making my best try to stay away from Ebay, but need something that is not very expensive, "by the way I still a college student, and money is very tight, and I'm doing this as a mean to try to pay a bit of my debt! I know that perhaps i may fall in my face, but at least I'm trying. Thanks again for your valuable support and advice!
Marco.
Re: Prolight turning center mach 3 conversion
This is the time to do your research. I dont think anyone here minds you asking away if you need help. Do use the search function as you become more familiar here. It is amazing what is already written.
The reason I said pawl was because my machine already had that design. I would not rule out gang tooling either. It would be easier to set up, quick to change but more limited on travels per tool. You could also use a quick change tool post and create a library. Do manual changes on previously recorded tools.
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