More to my X1

[Arich0908]

So Ive been adding little bit here n there . Ive done the long table mod added a z spacer , Extended Y axis .Tread mill motor replaced the very very pitiful stock motor .
I hate adding all these numbers up and compensating for backlash. So were puting on DRO Scales.
I also have been reading allot bout the BLDC motors. So im upgrading and building a new motor for my SX1.
If any one has suggestion please help me out.
I know Ive spent bout triple what the mill cost at this point I dont care.
Heres some SX1 porn !

[LUCKY13]

Cool I want to see how this turns out, there was another thread showing this and these motors should make a great setup.


Yea that kinda hurts alot spending three times as much, but it has been done over time and a little at a time. What sucks is a person could have a High Torque mini mill for what has been spent, but at this point its not like its not cheaper to go ahead and make the upgrade over buying a new mill.


The little BLDC will lighten up the Z axis and give a very high speed and powerfull setup. Might be time to look into better bearings in the spindle if its not already been done.

ALso adding a back brace to the back of the column & base will stiffen up that mill a ton. There is a offset to deal with but it makes a hugh difference in these little mills.

Be looking forward to seeing this mod finsihed ( BLDC motor).


Jess

[Arich0908]

Jess ,
I've been looking into casting a whole new column .
The money doesn't bother me ...... Much . Lol
I've already upgraded the bearings when I did my last motor upgrade.
I'm lookin into power supplies now.
Well off to work I hope I get some more done tonight.

[doorknob]

Casting a new column? Out of aluminum or something else?

BLDCs, DROs, lots of interesting things going on here.

I'm apparently a couple of towns away from you (having moved back to CT from NH) - Got to keep an eye on this project...

[Memran]

Nice!
I'm looking forward to seeing how that (Turnigy?) motor works out for you

So are you keeping the mill manually operated?

[Arich0908]

Ya for now, memran.
I plan on going to grizzlys tent sale and buying a bigger mill. Converting it to CNC. On a side note I'm selling my treadmill motor setup.
Doorknob,
I was thinking of casting it out of pot metal in a foundry. I don't know much bout it. I have to do some reading. Pot metal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Or may grab a I beam and bolt a piece of steel to the front and machine a column. Dunno
Should be fun though. I also have my old saddle I may do something with it..
Ii start New job today ...

[HorridHenry]

Wow,never looked at that X1 before,I guess if thats a mill my Bench Drill can be turned into a mill? as its got more beef in the housing than that X1.

[LUCKY13]

Horrid Henry

The basic diff between a mill and a drill press is a mill has a moveable table and a drill press doesnt. Then ofcourse the spindle needs to handle side loading more and some drill presses dont have the spindle bearings setup to do this ( but some are better than a low end mill).




Arich0908

I am not sure about casting a potmetal column . But if your thinking of going that far then look at the column you have, its really no that bad and has a few things that lend it to mods real nicely.


Here is how I did mine, if you turn the column around 180* you will notice when you bolt it back the rear side is now flush with the back of the mill base ( and your extention you have added). Now adding a rear support to tie in the column, extention and base together would just be a bolt on afair. Plus you have a smooth front now which lends itself good to adding a leanier rail and bearing truck. The right size will even be strong enough on its own to stiffin the column up a ton, and you dont lose any of your Y axis from added the rail & truck system. Inafct you may even gain a 1/4" or so.

But by using two bearing blocks (trucks) you can add a extention plate on the back of the spindle housing and with two trucks you have a lot more resistance against the head twisting. Doing this yuo lose the thickness of the spindle housing plate but I extended my Y axis anyway.


I added a plate to the new front of the column and I extented it up above the column itself. This plate and the one on the rear that is added now tie in together at the top above the column which gave me good mounting for a Z axis stepper motor, the hole assembly is very strong and ridged. I thought of filing the column but it has no need for strenth ( its super strong the way it is) but I may do it anyway for dampening purposes ( I have some lead wheel wieghts laying around that should work nice).


The layering of the plates on the column plus the leanier rail give a very strong assembly that works surprizingly good. The rear plate that ties it all together gets wider at the bottom so it can be bolts all the way across the base. A triangle piece would work but cost more.


I plan to post a thread on this mill in time, but for now I dont have the funds to finish it. I really have a servo system for it by scrouging copiers but I may go steppers anyway. I think I will for sure be adding a BLDC spindle motor and save my treadmill motors for other projects. They make a very good bit sharping grinder just by adding a cast iron or copper face plate. Some of teh treadmill motors come with a flywheeel which can be faced to use for this purpose. You then use diamond paste to rub into the faceplate which will then hone a bit or tool for sharpening.


Here is a link that shows a coupe these sharping machines built, not the one I was really looking for but it gives the idea and what you can use these and othere little motors for. You will have to scroll down the page to see them. That whole thread is a greta one also, many home built tools to give great ideas.

Shop Made Tools - Page 58 - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS


Jess

[Arich0908]

Casting a new column? Out of aluminum or something else?

BLDCs, DROs, lots of interesting things going on here.

I'm apparently a couple of towns away from you (having moved back to CT from NH) - Got to keep an eye on this project...

Doorknob I live in amity NH / woodbridge rite now.
If ya every get bored and would like to B.S. PM me
Memran,
Heres a link to the motor . It is a ebay cheapy . If all goes well ill spend some money on a good one or build one my own to specs.
EMP5065-KV380 brushless Motor for airplane RC Outrunner Free Shipping | eBay

Horrid Henry ,
LittleMachineShop.com - Micro Mill X-Y Table Assembly
Go for it people have been know to add X Y tables to there drill press and do some 2D milling.


LUCKY13
That thread is great I cant stop reading it. Thanks for it . We need a thread like that here.

[Arich0908]

I really must appologize to any one who was waiting for my to finish building anything. My reverse went on my yukon. Im in the process of rebuilding a 4L60E tranny. This is a first for me and it has consumed all my time and funds.
On another note i forgot to mention. I found a company who ships dros dirt cheap. I paid 110.00$ shipped for my dros. Quick shipping also. If any one wants the info ill give it to you.
The best part was my 24in was like 40$ and the 36in is luke 42$
As far as power supplys go ill be using two server power supplys in serries. They make great power supplys. The two im buying make 12v at 850watt 70amps. Ill be runing two to make 24v .
I want to run it as a timing belt type set up. Can some one give me advice on the best possible tooth to spindle ratio. I want a two gear. I think the first gear will be one to one that will be high and gear two will be half that. Any help will be great.

[Arich0908]

Ive mounted X and Y axis.
If you get the same kit I bought you will need to bring the notches on the bracket that hold the x axis dro on the mill. On the mill its self the area underneath the x axis on the left side has to be milled level. If you attempt this youll see what im talking bout.
Y axis is pretty straight forward. The bottom of the bracket that keeps the slider still has to be made smaller slightly.
Im working on Z now.
Im going to also make a dro for my quill. Ive bought the power supply for my new motor . I also grabbed this it looked pretty cool.
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
My power supply is 60amps at 24v or I can run it 120amps at 12volts. Not bad for 30$
Dro cost me 110$ .
I need to save money for Grizzlys tent sale. I really want a g0704.