Converting my HF 7x10 to cnc

[HorridHenry]

My BOB requires an additional pluggable board to control a spindle and I guess this board can input the 3 terminals from the pot on the lathes power,truly simple however I'd have to do some power measurements.

I doubt whether I'll buy the board though as the price of the extension board doesn't justify tweaking the speed knob manually.

[HorridHenry]

I don't mind the z on the tail end but the x is definately in the way.

Give me a couple of days and I'll show a pic of the X axis under the bedway,its pully operated though but its out of the way and almost out of sight.

Only drawback is it needs a plastic cover or box over the motor to stop swarf sticking to it when turning.

[doorknob]

There was an interesting conversion done by member "blades" that had the X axis stepper mounted underneath to save space: 7 x 10 project started I believe that he used the stock screws in his conversion.

I am getting ready to convert mine, using a kit put out by "billy" - bdtools on eBay (who also does motor mounts for G0704 conversions). That kit places the motors at the ends of both axes, but I'm OK with it. I'm waiting to get the 14" bed extension from LMS (which always seems to be out of stock), but maybe I will convert it when it is still a 7x10 and then redo the conversion when the extension comes in.

[HorridHenry]

Yeah I seen that,Doorknob,but if you look at it its not fully underneath the bedway.

Mine will be operating the crossfeed from the back and will be leaving the front crossfeed on as per normal should I want to use manually for some reason?

[underthetire]

You might want to check on the bed extension now. My dads came in last week. Are you talking about the 12+2 one?

[Bob La Londe]

You might want to check on the bed extension now. My dads came in last week. Are you talking about the 12+2 one?

Little Machine Shop sells a 14" bed that is a direct replacement for the 10" bed on the HF etc 7x10. It comes with a longer carriage feed screw and a base pan.

Its the same bed as on many of the 7x14 machines. You just unbolt everything from the old bed, and transfer it to the new bed. You have to drill and thread a couple holes, but that's it. Took me a couple hours start to finish.

Converts your Harbor Freight 7x10 (really 7x8) to 7x14.

[underthetire]

I believe that's the one he bought. It gave him 12" of travel, plus 2" of extra space for the tailstock.

[doorknob]

This is the one:

LittleMachineShop.com - Bed Extension Kit 14"

They had sent out an automated email the last time that it came back into stock, and I ordered one shortly thereafter, but I guess that I was too late and by the time that my order was processed it was out of stock again. They expect a new shipment to arrive in early March.

[HorridHenry]

make it even longer.

Follow the pics in the thread.
The most mods on a mini lathe ever! - AzBilliards Forums

[Bob La Londe]

make it even longer.

Follow the pics in the thread.
The most mods on a mini lathe ever! - AzBilliards Forums

I like his outboard chuck for stabilizing stock. I've often wondered why even the "gunsmith" lathes just have a spider on the back side instead of a chuck. An extended chuck is an awesome idea.

[HorridHenry]

So you don't think much of his 24" bed conversion.

[Bob La Londe]

Hey if it works. Saw one guy who did a 10 to 14" bed swap turn around and use his 10" bed to extend the lathe for rough operations and also as an out of the way place to park his tail stock when he didn't need it. I considered it myself. I was also thinking about using the old 10" bed as a test and fitting bed for making some parts.