A2Z CNC monster mill X and Y setup ordered with Kerk Screws

[g29cc]

Well I ordered it to fix my ailing stock setup. Just need it to hold together for another month or two , till I can get a Novakon NM 200 in the shop.

But anyways, I ordered a A2Z CNC extended base and Table for my Sherline 4400. Once the NM 200 is here the little Sherline will probably be retired to engraving parts for me and other small jobs.

I ll post a review when it gets here ! I ordered the 4 TPI screws. So hopefully that will speed up my rapids a little bit over the stock Sherline screws.

Thanks and pictures soon !

[g29cc]

Nobody out there with this combo yet ?

[g29cc]

Should be here today .....

[g29cc]

Well its here, and looks good. I haven't done anything other then pull it out of the box. I ll report more with pictures soon.

[Thayer]

looking forward to what you find. I am thinking of going the same route.

Thayer

[GeneK]

I just saw your post today. Yes I have the extended base, extended X table and Kerk lead screws. Just waiting for the money for the Z axis column.
I really like the "zero" backlash, at least I can't measure it.

The bad news is that my Y axis screw broke and has been sent back for repair. I had a go around with Tim about the depth of the 5-40 thread on the coupler end, it should have been .4" but was only .187". It broke at the end of the coupling screw. (It had been running for one year.)

If anyone is wanting a CNC Sherline this is the only way to go, IMHO.

GeneK

Originally Posted by g29cc Nobody out there with this combo yet ?

[Thayer]

Sounds like a great setup. I can't wait for the rest of my parts.

Thayer

[GeneK]

I would think for someone that is starting from scratch, getting the extended base, X axis and column from A2Z and then getting a head stock for either Sherline or Taig would be a good start.
I have enough pieces now for two more mills. One is already set up as a horizontal mill. After the column upgrade I can put the Sherline 2000 mill back together for another mill.

GeneK

Originally Posted by Thayer Sounds like a great setup. I can't wait for the rest of my parts. Thayer

[Thayer]

That is exactly what I am doing. I have a manual Sherline 4400, and so ordered the X, Y and Z bits from Tim. I plan to just switch the headstock back and forth until I get bored or need 10K on the spindle.

Thayer

[g29cc]

GeneK,
Did you use the stock Sherline steppers for the conversion ? If so , how well do they work ? I was told with the replacement screws being 4 tpi vs stock 20 tpi that the I might have torque issues and have to go to a better stepper setup to achieve max IPM settings. Which A2Z claims is around 90-100 ipm rapids.
Anyways I might just bite the bullet , and get the z column, some reduction steppers assemblies, a new controller and spindle control , maybe even a new spindle motor ( something with a little more power ). Not sure yet. I am thinking of doing this so I have a extra machine at my disposal. But I am not sure if its worth the cost ( around $3400 is what I ll have in the entire machine when I am done ).

If your happy with your steppers ( if they are stock ) then I might just run my machine the way it is and see how it goes. I am using it more for a small business light light light production of parts.

Thanks

[Thayer]

I haven't run anything yet, as I am still waiting on some of the components. Motor wise, I have a set of 282 oz-in. steppers from Keling, KL23H276-30-8B, essentially the same as the machine they show in the video milling the foot scan. Will be running Mach 3 through a Gecko G540.

Thayer

[g29cc]

I think I ll be ordering the z column very soon.