Too good of a deal to pass up...

[AiR_GuNNeR]

Well, I couldn't stand it any longer. I have a small LMS HiTorque CNC mill, and had plans on converting my RF-45 square column mill to CNC, but I finally had to admit to myself I just don't have the time anymore to take on that size of a project. So...while I had Khai from Novakon on the phone last night getting more information on the clearance 145's I was filling a paypal order form and clicked the submit button. (Thanks Khai for taking the time on a Saturday night to call me back). I have no idea where I'm going to even *temporarily* park this machine. My wife hasn't had her car in the garage for eight years.

The one thing I'm on the fence about is the option for longer control cables. How many of you ended up relocating the rear facing control panel to a wall mount?

At this point, I didn't get the computer option since I have at least six computer systems sitting in the basement, victims of past system upgrades, plus the small form factor Dell currently hooked to my HiTorque, and a spare USB smooth stepper. That should be easy enough to setup.

I do plan on building a Tormach Tool system for the new mill. I built one for the LMS machine love it. Being able to switch tools without having to re-zero the Z is great. The LMS one was machined from aluminum plate and is an inline triple cylinder setup. This keeps it nice and compact. For the 145, I'll either scaled it up to handle the extra bellevilles, or make it an inline four instead, depending on room.

Enough typing, time to carve out a space and rediscover lost goodies in my garage..

[gmfoster]

Congratulations I am sure you will have some fun..

[tjd10684]

My wife hasn't had her car in the garage for eight years.


Cars go IN garages???? then where you suppose to keep your toys .... tools ... i meant tools

[AiR_GuNNeR]

Well the mill is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. I took a day vacation so I could set up the computer and do a little playing.
My one concern is the state of Michigan coming after me for taxes even after having pre-paid them, (this happened to two other people). My invoice from Novakon just listed the mill and the total price so I asked Khai to send me an invoice breaking down the cost of the mill, the shipping and the taxes paid, but have not heard from him yet.
Without it, I won't have a leg to stand on to show I already paid the taxes.

[JohnToner]

How much were the taxes and/or import duties?

[AiR_GuNNeR]

How much were the taxes and/or import duties?

I can't recall exactly, but I think it was 3 or 4 percent.

[AiR_GuNNeR]

The mill arrived within ten minutes of when the driver said he would be here. I have a pretty good upward slope to my driveway and I was worried how I would get the mill into the garage. With the driver pulling the hand cart, and myself and my buddy pushing, it was no problem at all. The box slid into my garage with a half inch to spar up top. I removed around 30 screws and the box pulled away from the mill. It was nicely secured to the pallet and shrink wrapped. I opted for the no computer system so I plugged in my computer from my other mill, jury rigged an old ATX power supply to feed the break out board and had the mill operational. The configuration was set to a VERY conservative 75 IPM rapids. I set them to 150 and the mill had no trouble at all at that speed.

I plan on putting it in my basement eventually, once I sell off some of my woodworking equipment to make room. Like my RF45 mill, I'll bring it down in pieces. That will let me go through the mill thoroughly, correcting anything I find wrong. I need to locate the thread here that had gobs of pictures and listings of everything found wrong, (anyone have a link handy?).

[Fast01]

What? No pictures? You're killing us!

[steveb946]

The mill arrived within ten minutes of when the driver said he would be here. I have a pretty good upward slope to my driveway and I was worried how I would get the mill into the garage. With the driver pulling the hand cart, and myself and my buddy pushing, it was no problem at all. The box slid into my garage with a half inch to spar up top. I removed around 30 screws and the box pulled away from the mill. It was nicely secured to the pallet and shrink wrapped. I opted for the no computer system so I plugged in my computer from my other mill, jury rigged an old ATX power supply to feed the break out board and had the mill operational. The configuration was set to a VERY conservative 75 IPM rapids. I set them to 150 and the mill had no trouble at all at that speed.

I plan on putting it in my basement eventually, once I sell off some of my woodworking equipment to make room. Like my RF45 mill, I'll bring it down in pieces. That will let me go through the mill thoroughly, correcting anything I find wrong. I need to locate the thread here that had gobs of pictures and listings of everything found wrong, (anyone have a link handy?).

For the NM-145, we have a discussion thread on the lubrication system on this website. Make sure that all lube points get oil, or your new machine (no matter which model) may have a short life!

[AiR_GuNNeR]

What? No pictures? You're killing us!

I meant to get a full set of pictures, but my camera was in my wife's car, and she was at work when the mill got delivered...(hmm, funny how it turned out that way...).

I'll get some pictures of it today, and plan on full sets of pictures as I dig into it.

[AiR_GuNNeR]

For the NM-145, we have a discussion thread on the lubrication system on this website. Make sure that all lube points get oil, or your new machine (no matter which model) may have a short life!

This, along with dirt in the bearings and chips in the bottom of the tapered pin holes are top reasons for performing a full diss-assembly. I'm also going to blue the ways to see if any scraping in will be needed. My RF-45 needed a lot of scraping. They ways on this machine are a LOT smoother than both the RF-45 and the LMS HiTorque mill I had purchased.

Once I get the machine put back together and assembled downstairs, I'm going to build a TTS tool change pinch cylinder for it like I made for the LMS mill, but that will be another thread.

[cap2031]

I am VERY interested in your Tool System. Do you have any plans/drawing for the one you currently have?

I do plan on building a Tormach Tool system for the new mill. I built one for the LMS machine love it. Being able to switch tools without having to re-zero the Z is great. The LMS one was machined from aluminum plate and is an inline triple cylinder setup. This keeps it nice and compact. For the 145, I'll either scaled it up to handle the extra bellevilles, or make it an inline four instead, depending on room.