GO619 new build needs advise

[Scuba Steve]

I have been reading for a while now and I have a brand new Grizzly G0619 in my shop that I really need some help on.
I have seen and read about alot of conversions and companies that build them and so I was hoping that some of you may have a complete set up that works well.
My main intentions for this maching are hobbie but I also would like to eventally get into some small ornamental works to make some extra cash. My wife mentioned christmas tree ornaments and just some small stuff like that. Maybe some small signs. I will be using alumanum, mild steel and some plastic materials.
I am however on a budget but I plan to spend what ever it takes to do this machine right but I'm not in the position to spend more than I need to.
Any suggestions on PM maintenance or helping with the longevity of this machine is greatly appreciated as well as any advise on cnc conversions, the electronics and software.
Thank you for your time.
Steve

[cornbinder23]

Hello Steve,
Welcome!! I have a SX3 as well and used the cncfusion deluxe kit and am quite happy with it so far. One could argue the cost of the kit but for me it was worth every penny.
You can also do it a little cheaper by making your own conversion, did I read in another thread you have the g0602 as well?
If so you could turn your own ballscrews and use the mill to make the conversion parts for the mill.
Have you seen Creavive Reamer's site?
As far as some advice I would spend a fair bit of time re-fitting the gibs and lapping the ways for smooth reliable operation.
Here is a link to My build.

JTCUSTOMS

[Scuba Steve]

Man at what a build you have. Alot of great information that will help me alot!! I will be giving cnc fusion a call soon then on to the electronics. Ive got a long way to go but im sure I will enjoy every bit of it.
thanks for your time,
Steve

[neilw20]

Some early reading here will enhance your experience.
My SX3 is super accurate now attached to a brick wall.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/syil_p...trut_x3_-.html

Once machine is working,
Make the end of the spindle square so TTS tooling runs true.



http://s399.photobucket.com/albums/p...%20operations/
http://s399.photobucket.com/albums/p...0compensation/
http://s399.photobucket.com/albums/p...er%20grinding/

[Scuba Steve]

CNC Fusion delux kit, gas spring, upgrade couplings on the way. I have to make a decision on motor and driver package. I want to do it right and I have seen several kits but without experence i dont want to wast any cash.
Any suggestions? I need to start getting in some beginner software also. Any help would be much appreciated!!!!
Scuba

[cornbinder23]

G540!!
I have used a couple of these drivers and they are super easy and reliable
best of all made in the USA!!

It has more than enough for this mill and you will probably be pretty impressed with the speeds and power this combo can produce

Gecko also has a reputation for OUTSTANDING customer service.

381oz Nema 23 steppers for the X-Y and the 906oz Nema 34 for the Z

Did they include pulleys for the Z in your kit?

JTCUSTOMS

[PriddyShiddy]

I just finished my conversiona few months ago in my X3 and it has run just about every day since and I wouldn't change a thing with the way I did it. few hiccups along the way but I absolutely love my machine.

My Build Thread should be pretty helpful since unlike a lot of the guys on here I knew NOTHING about cnc, electronics our even machining befor january of this year.

CNCFUSION, G540, KELING ELECTRONICS is a great tries and true set up and since many of us use it we can help with any questions you will have. if you get too creative you may end up on your own with trouble shooting IMO.

The crevice reamer site is AMAZING. Between that and the build threads on here I learned everything I know and I've made hundreds of parts and had lots of fun. in fact, I am getting pretty close to seeing the conversion pay itself off already.

MRM had a build thread that helped me a lot too, and JT CUSTOMS and a few others are the only reasoni made it through my build. You came to the right place.

I started a youtube chanel but only posted a few videos because my camera sucks... getting a better one for christmas so feel free to subscribe and a lot more videos will be coming. Just search youtube for my screen name PriddyShiddy.

in fact, I will be posting a video of 5 christmas ornamentsi just finished. don't think the family reads this forum so here are a few pictures

FAIL! I guess trying to move 46 pics and videos at one time on my phone was a bad idea. can't open any of them... maybe its still trying???

I'll take some pics tonight. neat stuff and VERY fun working with Lasermax plastics made for laser engraving. 3000rpm running 10-15 ipm getting crystal clear .011" wide lines at .002" DOC with a micro-100 60° .125" single spade engraver that has .004" offset point so the line width at "zero" DOC would be .008"... obviously its a little wider at .002" DOC

[Stevenh111]

Steve, thanks for starting a current version of this thread. I'm in a similar boat.
I got a really cheap deal on a shop fox ver of tha sx3. Below the cost of the grizzly and no shipping since a local dealer was just getting started with shop fox and I've done other business with him.

Anyway, since this is a very recent thread things get distilled and refined each time.

[Stevenh111]

Not to hijack, but to keep things in one current thread, any opinions about #4 or 5 kits on the link below? As opposed to parting out from separate sources?

I will eventually move to a 4th axis.

Page Title

I also noticed the updated suggestions on crevice readers re the gecko 203v and a larger power source. More expensive but worth it?

I will be milling steels.

Thanks
The other Steve

[PriddyShiddy]

had to reset my phone to get these back.

http://www.imgur.com/72Qds.jpg
http://www.imgur.com/fVl6b.jpg
http://www.imgur.com/8idq8.jpg

guess I only shot video last night, but I'll post a pic of the snowmen too.

as for needing more than the G540... I will be very impressed if I can stall a stepper before my machine shakes and parts start flying off. if your going to go and scrape all your dovetails and gibs and beef the column with a support and add a bigger motor... maybe just maybe. I have stalled the motor quitea few times (usually 100% stupidity) but have no indications of lost steps. if you tighten your gibs with enough resistance to need much to move the table your looking at .015" or MORE backlash. if you push a lathe enough end mill hard enough to need this you will have TERRIBLE vibration and stall the motor.

I've slotted with a 3/8 rougher at .2" DOC in 1018 with no problems. 1.5" face mill at .1" doc in 6061, no problem. 3/4" rougher in 6061 at .2 doc made the whole table (1000lb) vibrate. small mills do best with smallish tooling. 1/4" doc with 1/4" em slotting is a breeze... .5" em at .125" (same amount of metal removal) in 1018 gives me vibration.

I wish I had a 4th and if I had bought the 4th kit I would have done it already. problem I found is that without getting creative my 6" phase 2 mounted vertically, plus my 4 jaw chuck, plus a tailstock only left me a few inches to use so I sold it. gonna get the baby sherline nema ready 4" and tailstock since the parts I want for 4th are from 3" stock or less.

here it is on the mill. in all fairness, yes, that IS an 8" chuck, BUT the rotab needs to be 1.5" to the right to get a strap behind it. its a challenge getting it up there as is so building a couple plates to mount it to and move it over was more than I was willing to lift/deal with. if its a PITA it just sits on the shelf anyways, so what's the point?

http://www.imgur.com/2Rqyj.jpg

if you aren't familur with cad and cam already then your money would DEFINITELY be better invested in software for now. the $50 will get you the NFS plug in for Mach 3 if you go that route. don't have it but the trial that comes free with mach gets you all the way to seeing the gcode and its pretty sweet conversational milling compared to hand writing code.

just my thoughts

[Stevenh111]

Ok... G540 it is then. Thanks

The other steve

[PriddyShiddy]

here are the snowmen. I cut the guy first and realized I needed eyes and mouth so the female has then cut. the guy is for my step dad... yup... I just sharpied his in

http://www.imgur.com/adpaY.jpg