UK G0704 CLONE CONVERSION & WORKSHOP BUILD

[Rikk]

I'd try it out on a bit that doesn't matter/notice first, that cast iron is a *****, took ages to drill some holes to mount DRO's last year, I'd really not fancy using a jig and a router, especially after watching the guy who put my new sink in on Saturday, when something spinning that quick things can go pear shaped real quick 8)
Problem with the ways is they are fairly small and you'll only get one shot, if you really want it, I'd hunt out a local machine shop to do the drilling and cutting the channels.

[Rikk]

Oh well, he just got back to me, they only sell them pre machined, but not to specification. Seems a weird way of doing it.
Better get the plans off to china then

[jdurkin]

Cheers for the info Rikk, sounds like they buy them in pre machined

worth a try heh

[Rikk]

That was very painless, email for quote, email to confirm, pay PP invoice

Have you bought the couplers yet, just wondered what you went for?

I was going to go for this type :-

[jdurkin]

You read my mind rikk, this was my next question

Ive seen these in your pic but hoss uses oldham couplers
Oldham Couplings - Arc Euro Trade

Im on the fence here - what do you think rikk? or has anyone else got an input for me and rikk on these 2 types?

[Rikk]

I'm leaning towards the ones I posted mainly because there is nothing in them to wear, with the others there is an acetal disk which in my mind add's another chance for backlash/slop/wear.
Also the all ali ones seem to clamp with two screws rather than the one so again a better fitment to the shaft.

[jdurkin]

Its not the end of the world this decision for us rikk
From what you said I dont mind going for your first choice

Where you thinking of buying them from mate.

And by the way cheers for posting here, its been good to rub shoulders on this mate.

[jdurkin]

Heh rikk

just found a bookmark regarding couplings which has a mention over maybe the first type ye posted maybe not as forgiving in the way of alignment:

Which Couplings??

whats ye thoughts?

[Rikk]

I think if I was doing myself and for the first time I'd go with the more forgiving type, as the mounts we are getting are I hope spot on personally I'd prefer the more solid type.

I was going to get them from here Flexible
Just need to check the shaft sizes at each end and buy the appropriate ones. More than likely they'll need drilling to size.

No worries, I know when I first started trying to work out what I needed to do, how to do it and what was needed was a nightmare.

[Rikk]

I've been looking at the CAM products on offer again to see what's new/different/interesting. I keep being drawn back to the BIG names as there's so much in them so found one I thought had pretty much everything I wanted and after looking at a few video's seemed pretty damn good.
It's Sprutcam(SprutCAM Your Safe Partner for wire EDM, lathe, milling, turn-mill, 2, 2.5, 3, 4 & 5 axis CNC machining - SPRUT Technology Inc.), now you may find the prices for this online and they are eye watering, but my god it looks good
Anyway, I've been speaking to a rather nice chap at the UK distributors called Dave, and effectively for hobby use you can get any version of the software for £850+vat, yes it's still expensive but is half the price of even the basic version.

Just thought I'd post to let Jdurkin and the other Uk guys following this that it's out there as another alternative on the CAM front.

[jdurkin]

Hi Rikk

Yes ive seen sprutcam and its does look the ticket.
I think as I go forward i may go for this at some point
and yes the price has put me off at this time.

Where i am now ive been using and learning alibre, cambam and cutviewer.
Im finally at the point now of just getting to grips with them
and got some final designs simulated cutting in the way i want.

Been a good old learning curve for me but maybe much faster than some due to my engineering, IT and graphic design background.
So far so good, lets hope it continues this way!

[rowbare]

I'm leaning towards the ones I posted mainly because there is nothing in them to wear, with the others there is an acetal disk which in my mind add's another chance for backlash/slop/wear.
Also the all ali ones seem to clamp with two screws rather than the one so again a better fitment to the shaft.

Yeah, they don't wear, they just break. Actually I am being a bit harsh, the stainless versions are ok. The aluminum ones are iffy and are better suited to attaching encoders than transmitting torque. Do yourself a favour and go with the Oldhams. You can even make them yourself if you want.

bob