Adding precicion to the IH mill

[pstockley]

I believe Mike has both mills so he is probably in the best position to compare them when he gets the Tormach up and running.

To me the biggest issues with the IH are a) too low a top speed and b) no computer controlled variable speed. Now obviously these can be addressed but it starts to get to the point of not being worth it from a cost/time perspective (unless you scrounge parts off eBay). If you want a project for the next year or so then the IH is a good starting point. From my perspective, if you want to just unpack and start cutting then the Tormach is a better bet.

[MikeAber]

Wizzard,

What machines do you own?

Have you taken measurements on the IH mill?
BTW what is the tolerance for X axis run out in 10" for the IH mill?
How about run out tolerances for the quill or Z axis ways?
What tolerance specifications does the manufacturer indicate are typical or guarantee the machine will meet?

Are you saying there is no value to published specifications?

My IH mill will never meet the published specifications of the Tormach PCNC1100. I took the measurements and in some cases there are no provisions to make some of the adjustments required. The PCNC1100 is designed to be aligned to meet published specifications. The pictures reveal set screws on the column and spindle housing flanges provided for alignment purposes.

Phil,

Welcome to the Tormach owners community.

I don't compare the IH mill to the Tormach PCNC1100 as they were designed for different purposes. Anyone can claim this or that is better. Both machines are capable; however neither machine is a production machine and never will be.

This thread started with a simple question.

Mark,

As an owner of both machines, I don’t believe you can make the IH mill as accurate as a Tormach PCNC1100 without spending more money than the cost of the Tormach machine.

MikeAber

[BobWarfield]

I just went back and noticed these two pictures Mike has generously provided of the Tormach. I like the set screw idea. Having read Aaron's note on squaring the IH mill, he recommended shim stock for the purpose. It looks like Tormach uses set screws, which are no doubt much faster in practice, although I would want to make sure they didn't move around once they got set. In any event, it would not be hard to add the set screws to an IH.

I wonder how many folks ever get around to squaring their mills like this? In other words, making sure the column is shimmed so that it sits up true and the spindle head is likewise shimmed true on the z-axis. I'll have to look into it the next time my machine is apart.

I also liked Aaron's idea of adding a pin to the IH head so that the mill head can no longer be swiveled and will stay put.

Best,

BW

[JRouche]

Originally Posted by BobWarfield I wonder how many folks ever get around to squaring their mills like this? In other words, making sure the column is shimmed so that it sits up true and the spindle head is likewise shimmed true on the z-axis. BW

I have an Enco 45 mill. I also have the IH CNC conversion. Its been a long conversion for me due to too many projects going at once.

I have shimmed my column square to the table. Fore and aft, side to side. It didnt take much but I think it was two thou or so for the fore to aft. Side to side was good. (notes down stairs right now). Was also a good time to make sure the mating surfaces were spotless and full contact was being made. JRouche