Gears for the Mini Mill

[Metalmog]

I am looking for a source for the plastic gears for the Mini Mill from Grizzly. Grizzly have the parts but because of a non-competition agreement with a company in Canada I cannot source it from Grizzly directly. They do not accept Canadian Credit Cards, which is crazy. This is the common Asian small mini mill available from a number of different sources.

The Canadian company more than quadruples the price for these spares. In the interest of speed I ordered it from them, however they now got lost in the post? Quite frankly, I don't want to support this company the second time around.

The gear I require is the one that provides the two speeds internal to the head - the one attached to the two speed lever. Ideally a brass or steel replacement would be better.

Can anyone please advise ?

[hoss2006]

Little machine Shop is the best source for replacement parts for the
Mini mills and lathes, much better prices than grizzly.
They ship all over the world even to Canada.
You can get the replacement plastic gears here.
Read their shipping policy about costs to canada as they have a few options.
hoss

[acondit]

Metalmog,

Try the Little Machine Shop. http://www.littlemachineshop.com/

They have the parts by part number for Grizzly, HF and several others.

Their website indicates that they will send to Canada.

Have you considered the other option? Replace the gear drive with a belt drive. It seems like everyone who does loves the results. I did it but I still haven't used my minimill, so I can't give you my opinion.

Alan

[dropride]

I have a new set of replacement gears and a set that were on my mill. I converted over to the belt drive and R8 spindle so i have no use for them. If you want to pay for shipping you can have them.

[cueshark]

i beleave the little machine shop has metal replcment gears also. greg

[Metalmog]

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered a set from Little machine shop as I was in a hurry.

Dropride
I believe the R8 and MT3 gears are different. Mine is MT3.

I am considering replacing all the gears with synchronous belts (the ones with the teeth on them), including the ones internal to the head. These belts are quite, thin & light weight and can handle high speeds and very strong with little backlash. The intermediates would run on ball races in the head with a simple clutch to change the speeds. Most likely cost less than $50 (excluding labor). Externally you would not know the difference until you ran the spindle. I should imagine speeds in excess of 4000 rpm should be quite achievable. Anyone interested in the design, if I did it?

[DonF]

Originally Posted by Metalmog Thanks for all the replies. I ordered a set from Little machine shop as I was in a hurry. I am considering replacing all the gears with synchronous belts (the ones with the teeth on them), including the ones internal to the head. These belts are quite, thin & light weight and can handle high speeds and very strong with little backlash. The intermediates would run on ball races in the head with a simple clutch to change the speeds. Most likely cost less than $50 (excluding labor). Externally you would not know the difference until you ran the spindle. I should imagine speeds in excess of 4000 rpm should be quite achievable. Anyone interested in the design, if I did it?

Sounds similar to whats all ready offered by a few places

[hoss2006]

This site also sells replacement steel gears for the mini mill and lathes.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

If anyone in the UK is reading this and needs replacement gears go here http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/en-gb/dept_237.html for metal gears.

John

[Metalmog]

I have seen this one, it is a nice mod but I prefer to move a lever than change the belts. There is just enough room for a third speed range.

The lathe I have had belts and I was forever changing them during a job, so I replaced it with a serious motor and a VFD. Works like a dream now even the low speeds have lots of torq. so tapping is a breeze now.

Because I did a good job of grinding up the existing gears internally it got me thinking. I really did not want to produce a new base as was done in the one shown previously because it makes it expensive. Using timing belts will also allow inexpensive spindle indexing (electronically) which could be usefull is some applications.

Disadvantage to my design, if a internal belt broke it would take a lot to replace - so it would be over spec'd to make up for it.

[maxboostbusa]

I have an intermediate gear coming fromThe Hobbyist Machine Store that Hoss linked to. Steel VS. plastic and not all that much more expensive. Didnt buy the whole set since I am going to do a belt drive conversion soon anyways. If anyone is interested after I get it in I can comment on quality.

[wildwestpat]

Hi Folks

I have purchased a set of metal gears for the 7x12 lathe - these are the same as the ones used in the mills. However I have some reservations about how to lubricate the metal gears. It would be a bit of a chore to fit oil seals etc to run them in oil and grease might not stay where it was put for long particularly at the higher spindle speeds.

Any one any ideas? The metal gears I got from Arceuro in the UK appear to be made of cast iron and cast iron on cast iron in my book needs some lubruication on a regular basis not an anual squirt of grease from an aerosol.