Modifications to my CNC Machine

[patchwork]

I got my shoptask 12-10-10 and did some modifications to it before I hooked up any electric to it. I went ahead and did the 5th column strengthening and put the gas struts on. I have actually done very little with it since I got it, but am satisfied with the performance. I am having a hard tome getting used to the CNC part of the machine. I kind of wish I could have manual/ gear drives on it. I am still waiting on some tooling so that I can get it up and running full speed. I have had great service from JT and he was able to answer any and all questions that I have had. Hope the pictures post..
A question that I do have is: while standing in front of the machine, it seems to give a better finish while milling towards me instead of away from me. Is there any tricks/ suggestions on how to remedy this? Thank you

[PoppaBear10]

Very nice work!!! Love the way you mounted your work holding boxes to the new support arm!! BTW: how to you lock the arm once you put the head where it goes, I saw two bolts, do you have to tighten those, or do you still have the "spinner" that locks the arm?

scott

[wormwood]

Patch,

I like your 5th column support better than mine!!!

When you changed over to that channel support did you notice anything with the servo gearbox for the z axis?

Mine seems to have been marked/drilled/tapped measuring off the original plate steel support which was warped. Once I mounted the channel the the gearbox barely fits up right...

Wormwood

[sch]

[A question that I do have is: while standing in front of the machine, it seems to give a better finish while milling towards me instead of away from me. Is there any tricks/ suggestions on how to remedy this? Thank you[/QUOTE]

As to this part of the post what you describe is the difference between
conventional milling and climb milling. The cutter physics differs depending
on whether the cutter is rotating in the same or opposite direction to the
direction of motion, so feeds and speeds need adjusting: easy to do with
CNC especially with spindle control.
google difference in conventional versus climb milling
for a few essays on dealing with this.