Trying to Finalize Parts List for Conversion

[Matt McColley]

I picked up the X & Y CNC Fusion kit #4 components second hand from a guy off of these boards.....

My thoughts now are to set up X & Y immediately with these components and to either buy of fab. the Z axis.....

Once I've got a handle on "real life" backlash and travel performance, then I'll decide if I want to use the mill in that config. to make the upgrade components for a set up like CAD Monkeys.....

[imprez55]

Originally Posted by Matt McColley I picked up the X & Y CNC Fusion kit #4 components second hand from a guy off of these boards..... My thoughts now are to set up X & Y immediately with these components and to either buy of fab. the Z axis..... Once I've got a handle on "real life" backlash and travel performance, then I'll decide if I want to use the mill in that config. to make the upgrade components for a set up like CAD Monkeys.....

What kind of time frame are you looking at to set everything up and test? That would be a good determination for me on what to purchase if it is relatively quick. I would like to purchase everything by the end of June and have everything running smoothly within maybe two weeks after. Also, what does CAD Monkey's setup look like?


One thing I have overlooked in this is an enclosure and how to protect everything from flood coolant. Hmmm, no real access to metalworking tools or welders so it has to be wood. I think a design similar to hoss's, with the bed liner and removable walls would be good. I would prefer to simplify it with only one door, possibly a roof too so coolant doesn't splash out. I just need a CAD drawing of the X3 so I can design some things, I wish I had the mill on hand to take make one.

[hoss2006]

Originally Posted by imprez55 One thing I have overlooked in this is an enclosure and how to protect everything from flood coolant. Hmmm, no real access to metalworking tools or welders so it has to be wood. I think a design similar to hoss's, with the bed liner and removable walls would be good. I would prefer to simplify it with only one door, possibly a roof too so coolant doesn't splash out. I just need a CAD drawing of the X3 so I can design some things, I wish I had the mill on hand to take make one.

The herculiner has held up well after a year and a half but it's messy messy stuff to apply and has a rough finish that holds onto the swarf.
I would look into something with a smoother finish that would clean up easier like this bathtub refinishing coating.
I used something like it from home depot on a laundry tub and it's very tough but smooth.
Hoss

[imprez55]

Thats not a bad idea with the glossy stuff. I did see in your videos how the coolant even seemed to pool up in places. I will look into that more, maybe just a high gloss paint could do the trick.

Another concern I have is if I put the stand on wheels, will that make it unstable during use and cause accuracy/precision problems? The base I am planning on doing is about 3x4 so that would also be the wheel base. It would be nice to be able to move it when necessary, but an extra $100 in leveling casters would just be an annoying expense. Anyone with rolling stands have any problems with it?

BTW, I love your idea with the power drawbar, Hoss. I am in the process of collecting parts for an x3 style one right now. Already have the air cylinder, solenoid and relays now with a running total at $41.05 with shipping.I wasn't feeling the lever arm and how much space it took up so I sprung for a larger 4" bore air cylinder for a whole $0.99 on ebay. The seller is selling some more at $19.99 if anyone is interested here. I'll report back to see how the quality is on it, but I have high hopes!

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by imprez55 What kind of time frame are you looking at to set everything up and test? That would be a good determination for me on what to purchase if it is relatively quick. I would like to purchase everything by the end of June and have everything running smoothly within maybe two weeks after. Also, what does CAD Monkey's setup look like? One thing I have overlooked in this is an enclosure and how to protect everything from flood coolant. Hmmm, no real access to metalworking tools or welders so it has to be wood. I think a design similar to hoss's, with the bed liner and removable walls would be good. I would prefer to simplify it with only one door, possibly a roof too so coolant doesn't splash out. I just need a CAD drawing of the X3 so I can design some things, I wish I had the mill on hand to take make one.

Consider mist coolant using a FogBuster. A small machine doesn't need flood - it *can't* cut fast enough to require flood. I use mist on my knee mill, making cuts you could never make on a benchtop machine (1/2" endmill, 1/2" DOC, 30 IPM), and mist is more than adequate. Mist is clean, cheap, VERY effective, and makes almost no mess. The only downside is the noise.

Regards,
Ray L.

[imprez55]

Yes flood coolant is overkill for a small machine but in this case it is practical. I already need to set up a bench area so the only difference now is walls with a glossy coat of paint. Mist would be better if it wasn't so expensive. 300 dollars for the basic kit is not cheap versus $60 for paint, $20 for pump and then misc. piping that I already have.

I feel in this application it is simpler and cheaper to go this route. If you could prove me wrong then by all means do. It would be much less time consuming to just make a bench and set up the mister, but its not worth $200.

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by imprez55 Yes flood coolant is overkill for a small machine but in this case it is practical. I already need to set up a bench area so the only difference now is walls with a glossy coat of paint. Mist would be better if it wasn't so expensive. 300 dollars for the basic kit is not cheap versus $60 for paint, $20 for pump and then misc. piping that I already have. I feel in this application it is simpler and cheaper to go this route. If you could prove me wrong then by all means do. It would be much less time consuming to just make a bench and set up the mister, but its not worth $200.

My FogBusters cost me less than $30, and a couple hours of my time - I make my own, working from their patent. They work great.

http://www.google.com/patents?vid=US...390854#PPP5,M1

This is NOT the same thing as the cheapo $60 mist sprayers! It puts virtually NO coolant in the air, cools extremely well, and uses very little coolant. It will create anything from an invisible mist to almost a full flood, though you'll never need that. Basically, if you can *see* the mist coming out of the nozzle, or you have coolant accumulating on your work, you've got it turned up too high. I rarely go through more than 1/2 gallon of coolant mix in a long day of very heavy cutting. I've been working my way through the same $20 gallon of KoolMist for several years now, and have created many hundreds of gallons of chips. On a benchtop mill, a gallon would be almost a lifetime supply. How much are you going to spend on a flood system in coolant, and filtering and skimming, aerating, and dealing with biologicals, etc.? That all goes away with mist.

Regards,
Ray L.

[hoss2006]

You don't have to worry about biologicals if you use the proper coolant.
I've been using the same gallon of Syn-Kool for almost 2 years now and still have 3/4 left,
I have yet to have to clean the filter as the strainer in the enclosure does most of the work.
The coolant tank is still fresh as a daisy and there is absolutely no odor.
The reality of things don't always match people's preconceived negative notions.
Hoss

[imprez55]

Well I went to HF last week and they gladly took the 20% off coupon and my money. They said it would take about two weeks because of when I ordered it but to my surprise it was ready to be picked up on Friday. Unfortunately I only have a car and even if I were to rent a UHaul, how would I get it out and into my house? I decided that I would just take it apart in the parking lot and it would be easier to move everywhere. The workers were not too thrilled with that plan and gave me some weird looks, but about 2 hours later I was off (it took longer because I decided to wing it and just take it apart without looking at any directions or assembly diagrams).

After I got it home I took off a little bit of the grease and so far it looks great, no rusting anywhere. I guess I was lucky to have about 1 ton of the stuff lathered everywhere, whether it needed it or not. I then mocked it up a little with a vice I have to see the proportions (Figure 2) Anyone else think the mill is too small? It will be slow going while I get a space made and a bench put in, but it will happen sooner or later.

By the way, what kind of negative effects could result from that large of a vice. I should probably get another, smaller one, but I like the idea of being able to hold whatever the table can, in a vice.

[Teyber12]

for really big work just use a clamping kit....