HARBOR FREIGHT small round column mill to a square column conversion.

[motomitch1]

HARBOR FREIGHT small round column mill to a square column conversion.

First of all I would like to say, I wouldn't recommend this mill for DIY unless you can live with the factory tolerances of the machine, table not flat by .012 had to recut and regrind pretty much every surface on it, some of the critical areas and surfaces of the machine out by as much as .030 in a 4 inch distance. So with that said you would need a full machine shop to recondition the machine and during some testing I found that there was no way to get a very good cut with a 3/8 to 1/2 end mill, side cutting 6061 T6 alum. which is the main reason I am converting to square column. It hasn't been tested yet but I suspect this is the main culprit of the vibration and bad surface finish, may have to make a new spindle also, have not got that far yet. X Y Z Travels have all been added to. IM not to good a writing stuff up but I wanted to share my drill/mill with CNC ZONE click on link to see pics

http://webpages.charter.net/ms61/

[HuFlungDung]

There's two kinds of cheap: Ebay cheap, and then Cheap cheap.

[Torsten]

Awesome, seams you are very skilled and had all the tools needed.
I wonder how much this conversion has cost you Parts and Time wise?
Looks like your allmost done with this send us some Pic's when completed.
Good Job

[motomitch1]

HARBOR FREIGHT small round collum drill/mill

SPECIFICATIONS: out of the box

Table Size: 16.5 x 6.06

X Travel: 9”

Y Travel: 5”

Z Travel: 12”

Spindle MT2

Spindle stoke 3-3/8"

1/2 HP 120 VaC MOTOR

Spindle RPM: 12 speed 300 to 3800 rpm

column dia. 2.830



===========================================================
NEW SPECIFICATIONS:

Table Size: 20.5 x 6.06

X Travel: 13.000”
Y Travel: 6.750”
Z Travel: 18.000”

column size .250 x 4 x 6 x30 with Rails 5x6
Rail Type: IKO LRW 20
Rail Length: 32 1/2" Long
4 Bearings
Bearing Type: IKO LRW 20
Length Of The Bearing: L 4 1/8 In x W 2 3/4 In

Lead-screw: Ball Screws for all X, Y and Z
Double acting, angular thrust bearings on all axis.

Spindle motor:McMillan Electric Permanent magnet MOTOR

2-1/4 HP at 260 VDC int.
1-1/8 at 130 VDC cont.
95-260 VDC
5 Amps
0-5100 RPM

Spindle RPM: low range 0-5000 RPM high range 0-10000
serpentine 6 rib Micro-V belt

Spindle: MT2

Servo Motors: Clifton 30V DC Servo Motors

360 oz/in peak torque

USDigital Encoder:250 CPR USDigital

drives: Gecko G320 servo drives

pc controler: amd k2 500 mhz

stepper softwear: Quickstep

[trubleshtr]

Nice job!
I enjoyed the pic.'s
I always learn something new by looking at other people's set-up's.

What was the actual encoder you used from usdigital?

[motomitch1]

Thanks

The Encoder is a US Digital
E2 - (CPR 250) - (Shaft Diameter.250) - (Options-G)This option includes molded ears on the E2 base which enable it to be mounted to a 1.812" diameter bolt circle. COST $39.00 / 1

So my order number look like this ( E2-250-250-G )

[motomitch1]

Cheap-O-matic

[motomitch1]

Added new pics to photo gallery, just about got the Z done over the weekend
http://webpages.charter.net/ms61/photo.htm

[HuFlungDung]

Looks nice, Moto. Do you feel a bit of an urge to worship something that tall when you get near it?

[motomitch1]

Thanks and yes I do kind of.

[motomitch1]

Got her running needs a few more covers for the belts and make my home made spindle tach and it will be done ,I cut a test block at 8000 rpm ,65 ipm
dc motor was getting hot might have to add fan to motor.

here is some new pics

http://webpages.charter.net/ms61/new_page_1

[miljnor]

great job man..

I got a couple of questions for my own mill.

1. what weld rod did you use to weld the crapy cast iron to your steel plate??

2. what type of motor did you use for your spindle.

3. did you have any problems spining those stock mill bearings to 11000 rpm?

Hope mine comes out half that nice and I will be a happy man!