Build Thread- Another Aussie Hybrid Mill

[Rodm1954]

That is really quick - I couldn't see the tool changing at all.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi Rod,

Interesting idea for a twin head and would save all the hassle of removing and replacing those spindles. Don't see any negatives other than the extra weight to rapid and cable management.

I think adding the EG to the column is an excellent idea and well worth the time from what I have been reading. I'll take it you will be adding another tube inside the column and not completely filling?

Got my "old iron" btw

John

[Rodm1954]

Hi John,
Like all my machines I have a concept in my head and it will evolve rather than be meticulously planned. I am tossing around a couple of ideas about the column and not settled on anything yet.

I like Bob's 2 headed monster quote and have been racking my brains on a name for the machine based on that.

Have to see a photo of your machine - anything on the zone yet?

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Evening Rod,

As they say “two heads are better than one” and I'm sure you will get some interesting names for your machine from other members.

I have nothing on the zone as yet but have just bought an old mill to butcher http://www.lathes.co.uk/harrisonmiller/index.html .

Looking forward to more updates on this build

John

[Rodm1954]

Hi John,
It is 8:00 am Sunday Morning here. You are tempting me with more names there.

I will probably go with a Nema34 for the head to help with the extra weight.

A fine looking machine - I assume you are just going to use the knee and table and add a vertical head or did yours come with a vertical head? Intersting that the table can swivel too.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

I was just being polite and forgetting it's an international internet world, it's actually 1am here (insomniac)

I am thinking about jacking up the machine,loosing the knee altogether and fixing some linear rails to the column to slide the head on. I did get a vertical head with it and its a 30int with some nice Timken bearings so I may modify it for my spindle.

Having said all that I may keep the knee. Obviously I need to give it some though before committing myself.

John

[Rodm1954]

I am a night owl too.

Sounds interesting with a few options on the design. At least you have a heavy base to work with so chances are in should work well for you.
Hope to see some progress down the track.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi Rod,

Made any progress?

[Rodm1954]

Hi John,
No progress yet.

I have run out of shed space for another machine so it has been put on hold for a while.

Reality check has also made me rethink the dual spindle. I have a gantry router (see photo) with one of the spindles and have been cutting aluminum plate with that. My goal is to make a quiet machine that I can operate at night so I am going to make it easier on myself and just run the X2 head and if I find it necessary do the dual head at a later date.

I think there is some logic in there somewhere.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Thanks for the update,

You have too many toys anyway, or that’s what I’d be told lol.

How would you compare aluminium plate milling on your router compared to your mill? I’m considering building something similar to the attached picture for ali work and keeping the Harrison for the steel jobs. Hot rolled tubes filled with EG or Portland in a rubber casing.

Do I hear shed extension and do you get the “I never see you” comment with the late evening tinkering?

Very nice router btw and it’s a shame your on the other side of the globe as you could have stored it in my workshop to make more room.

Any way will catch you later on this one,
John

[Rodm1954]

Hi John,
I'll even admit to having too many toys but at least I use them and no I won't consult with SWMBO for her opinion as I have a fair idea of the response.

I can't expand the shed as there is no land left. I already occupy half the garage as well and have a couple of machines parked under the patio with covers on them. I keep looking upwards hoping for a couple of sky hooks for temporary storage.

The gantry routers cut plate well but the finish is not a good as flood coolant on the mill. Biggest problem with the gantry routers is cleaning up the swarf as it gets spread far and wide with the higher speed spindle. I can cut higher feed rates on the gantry router and I always limit myself to 1/2 mm depth of cut on any of my machines. I fugure it is better to go faster and shallow cuts than the other way around as it puts less strain on the machine.