RF-45 CNC Registry (Industrial Hobbies, Lathemaster, et al)

[BobWarfield]

Folks, let's start a thread that's a registry of all the CNC'd RF-45 mills. It'd be fun to see a pic of your mill and hear a thought or two on your conversion or what you've done with the mill recently.

Here is my Industrial Hobbies mill:



Geez, not a pretty picture, LOL.

Mods:

- CNC Conversion: Based on a "mechanical only" kit from IH and homeshopcnc servos.

- Precision glass DRO: Used it to calibrate and map leadscrews.

- One shot oiler. Big thumbs up!

- Epoxy granite fill of base and part of column. Kewl.

Recent project: R8 tool holder to get organized.



You can see all my doings on my web site: www.cnccookbook.com



BW

[HimyKabibble]

Great minds think alike! Here's my R8 toolholder - a handy 30 minute project.

Regards,
Ray L.

[fretsman]

Bob, if you don't mind me asking, where'd ya get the cool little cylindrical wrench baskets in your toolholder?

They kind of remind me of silverware holders in a restaurant They'd be nice for a few things around here.

Beautiful mill!

Thanks,
Dave

[307startup]

Originally Posted by fretsman Bob, if you don't mind me asking, where'd ya get the cool little cylindrical wrench baskets in your toolholder? They kind of remind me of silverware holders in a restaurant They'd be nice for a few things around here. Beautiful mill! Thanks, Dave

I'm not Bob, but I can answer that for you. Those are pencil/pen cups you get with desk organizers. You can find them at WalMart or Target in the stationary aisle.

[BobWarfield]

Originally Posted by 307startup I'm not Bob, but I can answer that for you. Those are pencil/pen cups you get with desk organizers. You can find them at WalMart or Target in the stationary aisle.

Bingo!

Mine came from Staples. I am hopeful the mesh will allow them to shed chips.

Hey, how 'bout some more RF-45 piccy's?

Please, pretty please?

Cheers,

BW

[fretsman]

Thanks fellas-

Dave

[pete from TN]

Glad you posted this as I think there are quite a few of these machines cnc right now. I know I am a firm believer that these mills are a great compromise between a small benchtop mill and a knee mill and for cnc control they are excellent choice with the square column and massive Z travel. The weight of the head and the limited spindle speed stock are the only real drawbacks of these machines. I am sure happy with my machine and it has served me very well for about eight years now. The newly cnc machine and high speed belt drive spindle is just awesome and I am gonna post pics and thoughts as you requested as soon as I get the machine truly finished with the one shot oiler completed and the axis limits installed and configured. The last limit switch for my Z axis was machined on my manual knee mill last night and is nearly completed. Just gotta bore the hole for the rod and cut the o-ring grooves. I also just got my digikey heds encoder caps and they were kind enough to send me a MASSIVE catalog for their products. I am sure there is probably some adequate optical sensors in there....

Your machine is looking good and I hope to be enjoying the machine like you very soon instead of working on it.... peace

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by pete from TN Glad you posted this as I think there are quite a few of these machines cnc right now. I know I am a firm believer that these mills are a great compromise between a small benchtop mill and a knee mill and for cnc control they are excellent choice with the square column and massive Z travel. The weight of the head and the limited spindle speed stock are the only real drawbacks of these machines. I am sure happy with my machine and it has served me very well for about eight years now. The newly cnc machine and high speed belt drive spindle is just awesome and I am gonna post pics and thoughts as you requested as soon as I get the machine truly finished with the one shot oiler completed and the axis limits installed and configured. The last limit switch for my Z axis was machined on my manual knee mill last night and is nearly completed. Just gotta bore the hole for the rod and cut the o-ring grooves. I also just got my digikey heds encoder caps and they were kind enough to send me a MASSIVE catalog for their products. I am sure there is probably some adequate optical sensors in there.... Your machine is looking good and I hope to be enjoying the machine like you very soon instead of working on it.... peace

Pete,

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...ords=OPB963N51

Regards,
Ray L.

[pete from TN]

Hey man thanks for that... you're alright!!! Are these the same ones you used or are they the same ones these came with? peace

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by pete from TN Hey man thanks for that... you're alright!!! Are these the same ones you used or are they the same ones these came with? peace

Pete,

They're the ones I used, and are at least physically identical to the ones IH used.

Regards,
Ray L.

[pete from TN]

Did you use two together so there is a ++ and a -- limit? Or did you just use one switch for each axes? peace and thanks again...

Pete

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by pete from TN Did you use two together so there is a ++ and a -- limit? Or did you just use one switch for each axes? peace and thanks again... Pete

Pete,

Actually, I ended up not using them at all. After I started using probing, I found I had no need for home switches, nor the high accuracy the optical limits provided. Instead, I'm going with Hall Effect switches as limits only. They're much smaller, simpler. No worries about what breaks on over-travel, and no concerns about contamination. I'm using the same thing for spindle speed. I should have them on the machine sometime next week.

Regards,
Ray L.