Build Thread- 7 x 10 project started

[blades]

Hey Mark, yeah, all those connections are what drove me to keep everything built into the machine. I guess I'd be happier if I didn't have the external 9-pin connectors/cables on the G540, but I can probably run them in such a way as to minimize the cable mess.

Lee, I was just thinking about that yesterday! My sister has a laser etcher she uses for her business so I could probably design a nice cover plate and have her laser it for me.
Fragrance Lamps and Oils (shameless plug )

I made my aforementioned change to the Z axis lead screw today also. I fit it with another screw about 3 1/2" shorter. Did this for 2 reasons: first, to serve as a poor-man's travel limit. The carriage merely runs off the end of the acme screw when it's about 1/4" from the travel limit towards the chuck. It also made the screw short enough that I was able to remove that redneck eye bolt that was used to control screw whip, since I didn't bearing support that end of it. Now it's short enough that screw whip and vibration has been eliminated.

[blades]

Final Update: Lathe has been sold

A gentleman bought it who will put it to very good use though, and that makes me happy. He makes some sort of air gun upgrade/modification parts, and business is taking off. He's no stranger to Mach, and already has a CNC benchtop mill running under Mach.

Thank you for all your support, directions, and comments gentlemen, it's been a very interesting project and I will miss it.

[leumas]

Wow, that was a really nice job you did on the lathe. I especially like the mounting of the controls.

I too am converting a 7x10 HF lathe to CNC but from plans that I bought off of littlemachineshop.com. Wish I had found this forum and this post in particular as the plans are not the best. My grandfather, the long time machinist, has been helping me out with some of the alignment issues and oddities. It is running now but not completely set up to begin machining.