Homemade 18x6x1.25 Cast Iron Mill Tables

[widgitmaster]

I have found a good connection for Cast Iron (SpeedyMetals), and have drawn up a print in AutoCAD. Now I figured it would be a good idea to ask the public opinion here on CNCzone, if they would actually buy one of them for around a couple of $100

The price is high, but there is a lot of work in this T-Slot milling table, as every surface must be machined, drilled or tapped!

It's a really precision table, measuring 18"x6"x1" solid high grade cast iron. The design mimics that of the bigger milling machine tables, with three T-slots, two end cavities with 1/4" NPT side holes for drainage, 4x 5/16-18 tapped holes on either end for bearing plates, and 4x 5/16-18 tapped holes on bottom of plate to fasten a nut or to a rotary table (if necessary).

I have Googled through the web, and eBay looking for something similar, and found nothing! That void suggests a need which I can fill, one piece at a time! That void is present on the Zone as well, as I have read many posts from people wanting to build their own milling machines! I hope this helps them complete their dreams!

Eric

[Mcgyver]

100% machined, including T slots, for $100? I'm surprised the raw hunk of CI isn't that much. no need for me, but it seems very cheap for a custom machined part

[widgitmaster]

Originally Posted by Mcgyver 100% machined, including T slots, for $100? I'm surprised the raw hunk of CI isn't that much. no need for me, but it seems very cheap for a custom machined part

Because I haven't made one yet, I said the price would be a couple hundred!
Also, my little machine shop has no overhead to raise the prices, and only one old-fart working when ever he feels like it!

Eric

[WhiteTiger]

I hate to be a stick in the mud, but enco sells a compound x-y table with 18"x6" dimensions for $132. That's table with dovetail ways, saddle, base, feed screws and nuts.

I'm not sure what advantage the plain back table would be aside from making it easier to mount on linear slides.


Tiger

[mgamber]

Looks good to me. Maybe a little thicker would be better (give it some more mass to damp vibration)

Also stagger the pattern of holes in the ends to make bracket mounting stronger.

Would make mounting to linear rails real easy.

[widgitmaster]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger I hate to be a stick in the mud, but enco sells a compound x-y table with 18"x6" dimensions for $132. That's table with dovetail ways, saddle, base, feed screws and nuts. I'm not sure what advantage the plain back table would be aside from making it easier to mount on linear slides. Tiger

Sorry, I'm not Chineese!
Everything Enco slees is made from recycled exaust manifolds mixed with volcanic ash! Its too brittle to be called quality!
It was just an idea, I didn't realize everyone would be SO critical!

Eric

[mgamber]

Originally Posted by widgitmaster Sorry, I'm not Chineese! Everything Enco slees is made from recycled exaust manifolds mixed with volcanic ash! Its too brittle to be called quality! It was just an idea, I didn't realize everyone would be SO critical! Eric

Actually, I like this one better, it has a better t-slot arrangement and will be much easier to mount to.

[WhiteTiger]

Sorry if I came across as critical, it wasn't the intent at all. I was just giving an honest response concerning a question I had about market niche. Tried to buffer it with the "stick in the mud" slap at myself in the opening


Tiger

[widgitmaster]

Thats ok, I ended up ordering material for two pieces!
Now I hope all that cast iron dust doesn't get in the house! I'll never hear the end of it!

I can remember many a project on a rotary table, where one of these plates would have come in handy! But that's when NC machines were called MOOG's and had perforated tape readers!

Eric

[lakeside]

the price is great but to low I would also like to add that maybe after you machined the part it could be blancher ground for flatness and parallelism and you are right we can very critical! And our faces would crack and fall off if we tried to laugh

[widgitmaster]

I think I'm going to need a flood coolant on my Bridgeport, to help keep the dust down! My mill has a drain in the base, and a door on the side to access a little submersable pump! All I need is some plexiglas or sheetmetal to make splash guards to keep the splash and flooding under control!

If I sell these, I will have doubled my money! This way I will be able to get that lathe and surface grinder I have been looking at! They are used and sell for around $1700 each! My little shop has som neet stuff now, as I have been selling on ebay for several months! All my profit has gone back into the shop as mill accessories, tooling, supplies, boring/facing heads, angle plates and more!

You can droole, but don't smile, I don't want your face to fall off!

Eric

[lakeside]

spray mist will also keep dust down (empty windex bottle)