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Welcome to my CNC Conversion of a Wholesale Tool 3n1
I picked this up for $1050 in the crate as a refurb. from my local WT store. Wasn't really looking for a 3n1...went to buy a lathe,but couldn't pass up the price (although I should have). Quality (as expected) was low to say the least.
Lot of cons and a few pros.
Anyway I ran across this site and was hooked on the possibility of a CNC machine a home. After alot of reading I thought "I can do this". After more reading I realized I really don't need a CNC machine. But it's stuck in my head. Hardware part doesn't scare me to much...but the software does.
So be prepare for lots of questions.
I love to take pics so be prepared for a ton.
Here is my Plan:
1. Stiffen up stand and setup for coolant.
2. Add a bottom and doors for storage.
3. Make a motor and electronics cabinet.
4. Add PC case.
5. Fabricate control panel for switches and VFD panels.
6. Install tool cabinet on right side for more storage.
7. Replace both motors with 1hp 3ph units with VFD’s
8. Of course install 3 stepper motors and necessary electronics.
9. Add 2 ballscrew units. (3/4” and 1/2”)
10. Fabricate enclosure.
11. Most important do it on a TIGHT budget.
Table of Contents
1. Stand started
2. Stand (2)
3. PC Case mounted
4. Front PC cover plate.
5. Control panel
6. Drain hole drilled
7. New mill head location
8. Enclosure updated
9. CNC PC test parts
10. Doors done.
Day 1 right after I bought it.
A shot of the awesome drive system. The pulley on the spindle probably has around 3/8" runout. Gear drives good for .100 backlash,combine that with the couplers and half nut you can add another .200. On that note crossslide had .035 backlash.(more on that later)
Here you can really see just how flimsy the stand is.
Sheet metal brackets held the whole unit.
All cut up ready for stiffening. I will use the 2 pieces of 5" channel for the new bed mount.
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Last edited by FannBlade; 02-02-2012 at 08:48 PM.
Reserved for final pics.
Tagged to keep track of your progress Fannblade. Thank you for documenting it so well.
Nice looking shop area...except...pegboard is great right next to an open machine for catching and holding chips.
http://www.kirkcon.com/
You got that right and it soaks up coolant,I had a sheet metal shield right behind the chuck area to help with it. That's why I'm moving it more to middle of shop and it will make it easier to access the back.Originally Posted by txcncman
More Stand.
Here I flipped the top section and left original braces in place to help keep it square.
Once welded I cut braces loose with cut off wheel.
You can see here I shortened it about 5". Main reason was to bring length down to 48" so I could use one piece of sheet metal for the back.
Next comes some bracing for the coolant pan.
Ready to weld in place. Also moved the bottom braces to line up with side braces so I could but a floor in for the cabinet bottom.
Couple bends in the old bottom and welded in place.
* This Worklog post was generated using WorklogCreator - Version: 1.0.1.7
* Free Download: http://www.mod2software.com/worklogc...logcreator.zip
I have a bunch of 1/2" X 1/2" stock laying around so decided to use it to frame motor enclosure originally was going to make it removable but decided to weld it in permanent so nothing would rattle loose.
Also used some flat stock for a motor mount.
Another view how it will mount to spindle head.
Picked up a tool box from a yard sale for $20 to mount to the side for tool storage. Yep welded on!
You can see center uprights to help support center and define door location.
Here is a view of cage to enclose spindle tower.
Not the motor I will use but gives you an idea where I'm headed.
Sheet metal welded on and bracket drilled. Spindle head drilled and tapped for 1/4" bolts to help hold unit and seal from coolant.
Original belt drive cover welded in. I will use this to house CNC electronics.
Still need to make a panel to cover holes and a removable plate to make it easier to mount drivers and electronics.
* This Worklog post was generated using WorklogCreator - Version: 1.0.1.7
* Free Download: http://www.mod2software.com/worklogc...logcreator.zip
Not really related to this build but picked this up for $50 when I found the tool box and got him to throw in a box of 8" C clamps (9 I think).
I like to never figure out where I was going to mount the PC case I had laying around...finally came to me when I put the support braces in.
Bent up a filler panel to fill the gap
Couple pieces of old bed frame to secure it to the support brackets.
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Here is a shot of the back panel in place.
and some pics of the front PC cover plate.
* This Worklog post was generated using WorklogCreator - Version: 1.0.1.7
* Free Download: http://www.mod2software.com/worklogc...logcreator.zip
Looks just like my old 1993 Shoptask 1720, except it has a longer bed.
Now to start on the control panel. Not sure what all will go here so I made it big enough to hold whatever is needed. I will use a polished aluminum plate to cover the hole.
Here I used some scrape metal to mock up the boxed in area.
and monitor location. It's an older Dell 20" I'm no longer using.
panel bent and welded in place.
You can really see the warped area here. Really should've used pop rivets to mount panels,but don't want things to shake loose and I can work out most of the warps.
Top panel with monitor mounted. This may change,not to happy with the angle when sitting in front of it.
* This Worklog post was generated using WorklogCreator - Version: 1.0.1.7
* Free Download: http://www.mod2software.com/worklogc...logcreator.zip
Center panel and bottom in place.
Hole drilled and flanged for the drain.
Tool didn't like the radius but turned out pretty good.
Fits almost flush.
* This Worklog post was generated using WorklogCreator - Version: 1.0.1.7
* Free Download: http://www.mod2software.com/worklogc...logcreator.zip
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