BF20L CNC

[hoss2006]

On the floor is fine for the breakin.
I see your plan is to take it apart to model all the parts which is fine, you can make sure everything is cleaned up at the same time.
Before you do that you should check the tram. No need to worry about adjusting it right now
since your just gonna take it apart but you'll want to see how well it is right now out of the box just for reference.
If it's within a thou or two right now you'll know it should be just as good later when reassembled.
Even better after adjusting.
Check the spindle runout too and move all the axis stop to stop to see if you feel any kind of binding.
Hoss

[bonmotwang]

Thanks Hoss
I will run it on the floor then. So basically I will get the manual milling going first. Maybe test cut some blocks as you have said "for reference".
I will post pictures and result as the project goes. Let me know when it is time to take it apart :-)
There is a hoist for sale on Kijiji for $150 (2 Tons). Do you think I should get one?
Paul

[hoss2006]

If you plan to do a lot on your own a little hoist can save your back and be safer.
The mill could be picked up with a couple buddies help but you don't have to buy a hoist a beer.
I can manage the pieces separately on my own (column,head, table) but together they are just a little too much to bear.
A small 1 ton is plenty for the mill but you never know, you may want to pluck something much bigger later.
Yeah, run some scrap pieces too just to get a feel for what the mill can do and also to see
if any bad vibration shows up you may need to look at when taking it apart.
Hoss

[bonmotwang]

Yes, I am going to do a lot by myself and want to be safe. I will shop for a used hoist around 1 ton.
It is always to have buddies to help. "need your muscle" sometimes is only an excuse for getting together to have a cup of beer:-D


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[Mad Welder]

I can't really add anything more to what Hoss has said but I was very nervous to start ripping mine apart when I first bought it, the chap in the shop used one leg of the fork lift and a sling to slide it into the back of my car and of course I was soo happy to have bought it I forgot about the taking it out again part....and dam near pulled my arms clean out of my shoulders because I was too nervous as to take it apart (and also I hadn't a clue either) in the end I had to make a temporary lift kinda like a see saw with my eldest swinging on the end of a 10' length of 3" galvanised pipe and a sling and me trying to lift and drag...phewee nearly burst blood veins in my neck....but the moral of the story is and as Hoss said once taken apart you can easily lift 'seperatley' the Head, Column, Table & base....

[bonmotwang]

Thanks for your story. For the part you forgot, luckily I got a tele handler to help. I took apart things all the time. For "reference" purpose, and with almost 0 machining experience, I will run it as a whole piece for a while.
And I know you guys want all details :-D


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[bonmotwang]

2 ton engine hoist on sale! $350 dropped to $200!
Will get one first thing in the morning!



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[hoss2006]

Can't beat that, good find, even cheaper than Harbor Freight.
Hoss

[bonmotwang]

And the store is just across the street :-D

[bonmotwang]

Got the engine hoist!


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[bonmotwang]

Opening the box. Unfortunately the stand got damaged in one corner. Pat is working on it to see what he can do with it. It is the mounting surface. So I will have mill on the floor first.


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[bonmotwang]

Opened the BF20L box. It looks much smaller than i expected :-D Now I think it is "cute".
For the next step advice I took a bunch of pictures.
I did noticed a lot of rust!
I am first time milling machine buyer. Not sure about this situation. Is it severe or it is normal?




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