My Milling Machine Project

[gbowne1]

Hey ya'll...

Well, I'm almost done with my lathe project, so I thought I'd get back to my Mill project.

Ok, knowing what little I do about milling machines, I decided to try and tackle a machine not quite giant sized, or benchtop sized at all but to be useable

I want at least a 9 x 36 table, up to about 12 x 60 at the most, and run at the most about 4,250 to 8,500 RPM, be built affordably, and include a NMTB #40 40mm taper and could later be fitted with a FANUC 6 control.

Ok, so, I already have an old and completely empty Bridgeport J head casting, the one with the large diameter quill. Well, I thought this might be suitable for a 40 taper spindle. So, well, my next question is to figure out what I need to do in order to make it into a complete machine.

Could it be possible to make use of the J-Head casting, or should I design and build my own head????????

My last question is which belts, bearings, pulleys, motor and spindle design works the best. I want the power transmission from motor to spindle to be pretty seamless. I don't want this thing to crash right out of the gates. No spindle speed slippage. Part #'s would help immensely!!!

Any ideas on ATC's too?

Thank you in advance!

Greg

[ZipSnipe]

I commend you for taking on such a project, I,m almost done with my benchmill and I see you want to build one thats even BIGGER. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...984#post165984
CNCzone.com-The Ultimate Machinist Community - My Manual small mill project While building mine I was really seeking experience but I would not do it again at least not without the right tools. Do you already have a mill to make the parts you need? Do you have a plasma torch to cut at least 1/2 to 1" steel plates and such that you,ll need? If ya do then go for it. I didn,t save money building mine, I opted to go with a nice 1 1/2 horse dc motor and nice dc controller. Anyway best of luck and put up some pics.

[gbowne1]

Thanks! Well, yes and no. I don't want a real giant machine. I don't want a really small one either, like a mill drill, benchtop, or mini mill. Right now, I don't have room for a full size Bridgeport in my garage. One of the problems, it being too tall. I don't have ALL the tools and machines nessisary to complete the job. I do however have most of the ones I'll need, and well for something I don't have well I have great access to some through a friend who is a tooling, die and template/pattern maker as well as an accomplished HSM and has some really fancy and expensive machines including a water jet, WA Whitney CNC turret press and probably every other machine known to mankind.. LoL. So far the lathe has cost me about $300, and probably will take about that much more.. but the nice thing is when I'm done I'll make that back with its use.

He's helped me track down and make parts for my lathe project that I posted here.

And, well, he'll probably be helping me make parts for the Surface Grinder project that I'm gonna do next. I haven't really started designing it yet, but I got a great wheel for it that I got at a 30% discount as it was a close out item, and I will probably go with something almost like what is in the latest HSM magazine.

As far as plate goes, well, I can get tooling plate, both aluminum and steel really easily around here.. not really cheaply but if there is something I can't located my friend usually comes through with what I need at his cost.. unless it comes out of his scrap pile :-)

I'm gonna try and post pics of all my pojects in the photo gallery if I can.


Yeah, I know, this probably sounds crazy and I probably could just go out and buy much similar machines for about the same price, but well, where's the value in just buying something off the shelf when you could have fun learning about them through making one thats unique and does the job just as good.

Anyhow, well.. there it is for now.

Greg

[ZipSnipe]

Yeah I agree with ya, mine,s really starting to take shape and after hours upon hours of drilling and cutting I can finally say wow I made that.....KOOL and good luck and yeah do post pics love to see the results..

[gbowne1]

Started making progress on this this week. Will post more soon.

Greg