Further response to "Taig tearing up X ways"

[protrackcorp]

This original thread still needs follow up and clarification for the benefit of all Taig users.
The member that started the original thread had a valid need for further understanding. Other member replies were for the most part helpful. Mix in a little human nature of frustration with point specifics and you have the story that makes up all the previous post.
I never understood anything other than what the Taig company said about their machine in regards to way construction being alum & brass on the x and steel and brass on the other two.
First the qualifications from our experience and machine time.
The Taig cnc mill we use has been running since 2003 daily. Double shift since the past two years.
We cut both aluminum and G10 glass composite.
No parts have been replaced due to premature failure or wear.
The fixtures for holding and cutting both materials are generous in covering any exposed ways surfaces.
An oil bath system is used for aluminum and properly drained away and recycled.
A dust collection system is used for the G10 glass composite.
All ways are wiped and oiled daily before use and the acme rod oiled as well.
We use a 30 weight which is sufficient for viscosity. Any heavier weight starts to become detrimental and grease adds nothing productive to the equation as previously explained by others. I know, I've tried it.
I do not and will not use water based cutting fluids. I also have and run a Brown & Sharp screw machine and stay with petroleum based oils. They have a good tendency to cover every surface available and thus protect all metal parts. I live in Florida where humidity is the states official medium.
Periodic checking and adjusting of way tolerance.
Periodic servicing of brass acme nuts on all three axis.
Periodic checking of backlash and adjusting in the software.
Stainless oil drip lines added to x and y acme nuts with fill cups at exterior termination points of the tubing lines.
I have added small compact compression springs against the brass jibs. This keeps constant force applied to the jib greatly improving the tolerance of the ways over time otherwise you have to constantly adjust the jibs.
All way and jib surfaces show very little wear, nothing more than a finely lapped look to them which means they should last indefinitely with good maintenance.

The machining of glass composite is murder on carbide bits, even premium carbide. So in retrospect, acrylic would be welcome relief. A simple dust collection system should solve any problem with plastic machining. I found the statement of using grease as the only solution was a little puzzling. At best it probably helped to eliminate any slop in the jibs.

[fretsman]

Two questions for you if you don't mind since you're such a experienced user of the Taig machine.

1- when did Taig switch to acme screws, and then, when did they switch back to all thread screws?

2- What exactly is a "jib" and could you please post a picture of the compact springs you used on these "jibs"?

[Hirudin]

I bet it's the same as "gib". In some areas the word "gib" is pronounced "jib" (shortened form of "giblets").

[protrackcorp]

You say tomato I say tomahto. Jib, gib, acme , threaded
Don't you just love human nature. We all get a chance to.... well add to the story of how we are all using our machines. Please don't hesitate! we all eagerly await your description of how you improved your Taig mills.
Sincerely
Robert

[escott76]

Originally Posted by protrackcorp You say tomato I say tomahto. Jib, gib, acme , threaded Don't you just love human nature. We all get a chance to.... well add to the story of how we are all using our machines. Please don't hesitate! we all eagerly await your description of how you improved your Taig mills. Sincerely Robert

Just to clarify, there is a specific nature to acme threads that is not similar to a "standard" 60 degree thread form. They really are not interchangeable.

[fretsman]

Originally Posted by protrackcorp You say tomato I say tomahto. Jib, gib, acme , threaded Don't you just love human nature. We all get a chance to.... well add to the story of how we are all using our machines. Please don't hesitate! we all eagerly await your description of how you improved your Taig mills. Sincerely Robert

I take it you took offense to 2 legitimate questions I had for you?

Thought maybe you knew something I hadn't heard of before and thought I'd ask for you to clarify. Sorry for this-


Thanks Hirudin for clearing up the "jib" thing -

[protrackcorp]

Sorry for my selfish short cuts to verbige I do that a lot. The gib,jib thing, there really are no sail parts in a machine and the acme thread is square shaped thread for stronger thrust loads. I just lump it in with all turned steel threaded rod, but I really should not. It would be helpfull to here about how much other Taigs are used.
Thank you.
Robert

[noisillator]

My mill arrived from Taig last weekend. It included a strongly worded warning against the use of water-based fluids.

[Jeff-Birt]

I have been cleaning up a Taig 2019CR-ER that was mistreated. A friend of mine was using it to purposefully trash the spindle bearings for testing a diagnostic system he was working on. He put 300-400 hours of time on it, running it about 15 hours a day six or seven days a week. It was milling down large plates of 1/2" 6061 AL an 1/8" at a time after all the lubrication had been removed from the spindle bearings. He never cleaned it, once every few weeks he would scoop up a few gallons of shavings and keep going. He was using a water soluble cutting fluid applied with a mister and using Vactra to lube the machine.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the little Taig fared with this type of treatment. The dovetails on the saddle has a small bit of galling, but it really was not too bad. There was no oxidation anywhere either. I gave Taig a call and asked what they thought about lapping the ways similar to how you do on the Taig lathe (very mild abrasive and oil as a lapping compound.) They thought that would work fine.

My conclusion is that if you make half an effort to lubricate the machine with a suitable lube and clean the gunk out of it every once in a while it will serve you very well.