Anybody here replace their X3's motor?

[phantomcow2]

I am really considering replacing the motor of my X3 from Grizzy. Something in the 1-1.5HP range. The big motivator is that I need to run this spindle at higher RPM's for aluminum, 2000 just does not cut it. So my plan is to eliminate the noisy gear system, and simplify it with a belt drive right from motor to spindle.

Just wondering how other people have gone about this.

[ViperTX]

Take a look at the thread where we took the mini-mill's spindle and added the motor of a treadmill....I think STEVE did the work.

[MIKE JEFFERS]

have a look at this
http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projec...ive%20Mods.pdf
mike.

[Guldberg]

I think the guy would have appreciated this tool: http://www.sdp-si.com/Cd/default.htm

Play around with it to find the right pulleys and timing belt

[ViperTX]

Well it was MikeABNER and JFettig that have done the conversion...MikeABNER has a nice thread on the zone.

[digits]

Well it was MikeABNER and JFettig that have done the conversion...MikeABNER has a nice thread on the zone.

I don't suppose you have any links to the threads? I keep drawing a blank with the search engine

[ViperTX]

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10695&page=6 http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10695

That should work....or search for "Spindle Idea"

[digits]

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10695&page=6 http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10695

That should work....or search for "Spindle Idea"

Thanks

[S_J_H]

I messed around and got well over 5000rpm by swapping the timing belt pulleys on my x3. But the spindle heated up real real quick and I stopped testing it right way.
I now run a v belt direct drive most of the time. It's about 3400rpm max and you can zip through aluminum pretty quickly with a 1/4" end mill. Totally useless for low speed torque though and that is why I still kept the stock gear arrangement easy to switch back to.
The spindle after a 3-4 hours non stop will get pretty warm running at 3400 rpm but nothing to worry about. I would think to get much more rpm than 3500rpm you might want to install better more suitable bearings.
If it's more rpm AND power you want, then a bigger motor sounds like the only way to go. I would think you'll also need a new motor drive controller as well.
Not sure I would want to hang to large/heavy a motor on the head of this mill though. Can you get a 1.5hp motor in a size suitable for this mill head?
Steve

[digits]

I am really considering replacing the motor of my X3 from Grizzy. Something in the 1-1.5HP range. The big motivator is that I need to run this spindle at higher RPM's for aluminum, 2000 just does not cut it. So my plan is to eliminate the noisy gear system, and simplify it with a belt drive right from motor to spindle.

Just wondering how other people have gone about this.

Hi phantomcow2 - could you please post the dimensions of the stock X-3 motor - including shaft dia if you have it? I am considering trying to use an X-3 motor on an X2 head for a bit more grunt...

[phantomcow2]

Hi phantomcow2 - could you please post the dimensions of the stock X-3 motor - including shaft dia if you have it? I am considering trying to use an X-3 motor on an X2 head for a bit more grunt...

Check out the "X1 spindle" thread, I posted a suggestion in there. It is not worth buying a replacement X3 motor, these replacement motors are expensive.

[jl123]

I hear ya on the 2000rpm not cutting it. Cutting aluminum with a 1/8" carbide at 2000rpm sucks. I was chugging along at 8 ipm. Probably should have been going slower but 8 was slow enough.

Anyone know what the x3's spindle is capable of? I thought I read somewhere it was rated for 8000rpm...I definately don't know for sure...maybe I just made that up.