acme milling and tapping?

[grahamshere]

Hey every one, I was wondering if any one can tell me how to mill the ends of a 1/2 acme screw so I can tap for 1/4" thread for my pulleys. I have no lathe or mill and had a quot to have it done for over $100.00 just for like 2" on each screw, too much for my blood. not that I'm cheap just poor.
So any way was thinking of using my router with a die grinding bit, any one have any ideas. thanks Graham

[TOTALLYRC]

A machine shop that is in buisiness for real has a lot of bills to pay and I can understan the pricing. Most of the money is in the setup of a mchine and it takes some time.
If all you need is a hole drilled in the end and then tapped for a 1/4 x 20 thread I could do it for you but I don't know what the shipping both ways would be. Since I will work for food, I will charge the cost of a large pizza and a cold beer. $20 Plus shipping. If you need it to be flatted on one side, same price. If you need something different, send me a PM and we can work it out.
Mike.

[grahamshere]

Thanks mate I appreciate the offer but I'm sure the shipping will be over $100.00 . I do realize all that goes into the set up and such, was not complaining about the cost just that can't afford it right now, things got really tight, hence the I'll have ta do it my self thing. Thanks again. Graham

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by grahamshere Thanks mate I appreciate the offer but I'm sure the shipping will be over $100.00 . I do realize all that goes into the set up and such, was not complaining about the cost just that can't afford it right now, things got really tight, hence the I'll have ta do it my self thing. Thanks again. Graham

Things are tight all over. I realise you weren't complaining, I guess I was explaning to the other people why it can cost so much for what seems like such a simple thing.
Maybe there is a fellow machinist closer to you, say driving distance, who would like to help.

I guess the pizza and beer will be on my dime this time.

Mike

[grahamshere]

Guess pizza and beer is on your dime mate, sorry. I was wondering what if I made a jig to hold the acme rod and used a end mill in my drill press, I only need to take off 1/8" at 2"long. Would it work? Graham

[ger21]

Here's how I did it.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=83

For the next ones, I bought a grinder to do the rough removal.

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by grahamshere Guess pizza and beer is on your dime mate, sorry. I was wondering what if I made a jig to hold the acme rod and used a end mill in my drill press, I only need to take off 1/8" at 2"long. Would it work? Graham

Yes it will work if you are careful. The jacobs taper on the chuck will come off if you get agressive. Use the end mill and come straight down and you won't have any problems. The problems occur if you side load the chuck as in side milling, which I dont think you drill press will do as it probably can't do an x-y move.
Mike

[grahamshere]

Thanks guys for the info, Ger I have already made a jig like that to make my lead nuts using the router the same way you did for the acme. so I gather it will take along time, would my bench grinder work for removing the threads faster than the router? If not then maybe I,ll see if I can borrow one. Another thing I thought of was to make a coupling and use a piece of 5/16 threaded rod and attache it that way. don't know if that would hold. I built the solsylva so it's where the 2 acme rod's attached to pulleys then to the motor pulley.My 8tpi 4 start acme should be delivered tomorrow but ill practice with the standard acme. Graham

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by grahamshere Thanks guys for the info, Ger I have already made a jig like that to make my lead nuts using the router the same way you did for the acme. so I gather it will take along time, would my bench grinder work for removing the threads faster than the router? If not then maybe I,ll see if I can borrow one. Another thing I thought of was to make a coupling and use a piece of 5/16 threaded rod and attache it that way. don't know if that would hold. I built the solsylva so it's where the 2 acme rod's attached to pulleys then to the motor pulley.My 8tpi 4 start acme should be delivered tomorrow but ill practice with the standard acme. Graham

Hi Graham.
Like this.
Easier to do If you can't trun the screw down.
Mike

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...6&postcount=38

[ger21]

Originally Posted by grahamshere would my bench grinder work for removing the threads faster than the router?

Probably. The last issue of Shop Notes had a jig in it for doing exactly that.

[grahamshere]

I totallrc, Yes that's what I,m thinking, but do I need that whole set up? like thrust washer and collars and such.

Ger, Shop notes? is that the wood working mag in the stores? Graham

[ger21]

Yes, the thin magazine, sister publication to Woodsmith.