BF20 Spindle swap

[bladehunter]

Ok I know thins may not be an easy answer.

I'm an Aussie and bought a BF20L clone, under the Top Tech banner. Great little machine apart from the MT2 spindle. What I was wondering would it be possible to

A: Buy a new R8 spindle from Grizzly and install that (if bearings are same) and drawbar.

B: Would it be possible\feasable to regrind to a R8 Taper.

I'm thinking A maybe the better option, but would like some thoughts and maybe if anyone has any rough dimensions that would help as well.

I'd really like to get set up with the Tormach quick change system.

If this has been covered before I'll accept the appropriate punishment.

[Winnfield]

I have the Optimum version. I opted for a BT30 spindle box from an EMCO PC mill. There is one on ebay right now for about 400.00US. I made a 2" mounting plate from MIC 6 tooling plate. It looks slick, and is a better part than the original. It weighs about 35lbs. with the motor.

[bladehunter]

Bit out of my league at the moment, and no shipping to Oz.

[john_100]

if the Grizzly and TopTech machines are made by the same company
I'd go with plan A

I've used spares made for one version of mini-lathe on another
most sieg C3 lathe parts fit the C2 lathe
mixing different manufacturers parts could be problem

have you got the diagram for the Grizzly spindle ?
if not have a look at littlemachineshop.com

http://littlemachineshop.com/product...3spindleR8.pdf

LittleMachineShop.com - Spindle, X3 Mill



John

[Winnfield]

The Grizzly isn't made by the same factory. TopTech is the original producer for Optimum, and makes the machines for Optimum, and Top Tech only, I believe.