Want to build a cnc lathe. Options for headstock/spindle?

[QuinnSjoblom]

A year ago I designed and built my cnc mill which came out great. Using it for making large rc helicopter parts. I've been able to mill most of my round parts, but obviously it's not optimal and a lathe would make things so much easier and open up a lot of possibilities.
I'm pretty confident with the whole build other than spindle/headstock. Ill use hiwin linear bearings, ballscrews, and steppers. Probably combination of quick change and gang tooling, no plans for turret. Mostly small aluminum parts, max diameter around 2 inch, with the exception of some delrin gear blanks up to 5 inch. So doesn't need to be a big powerful lathe, but would like to hold very good tolerances.
The headstock and spindle is where I get lost. I don't have access to a lathe so buying this stuff premade would be optimal. What options should I consider? I've seen some guys mention using the guts of a 5c indexer as a spindle. I think I could possibly design and mill my own headstock out of multiple thick aluminum plates with the bearing pockets just interpolated on my mill. I also have a nice rotary axis that could be layed flat for milling nice round bearing pockets in the headstock plates. The spindle itself at the very least I will need premade. I Would like the option of using 5c collets as well as smaller 3 and 4 jaw setups.
So what should I consider for options? Find a spindle and build a headstock around it? Or just look for a complete used headstock/spindle assembly? Any recommendations would be great.

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[he1957]

How about a small milling machine headstock (or machine) re-purposed? There are many small lathes available from either second-hand or e-bay. There are quite a vew conversion kits out there from which you could assemble some designs if you want to DIY.


Cheers,

HarryE.
===

[QuinnSjoblom]

How about a small milling machine headstock (or machine) re-purposed? There are many small lathes available from either second-hand or e-bay. There are quite a vew conversion kits out there from which you could assemble some designs if you want to DIY.


Cheers,

HarryE.
===

After posting my thread, I clicked on a couple of the links at the bottom that it referenced. Little machine shop has some options for a mini lathe headstock for only 150 bucks. I'm sure this would work, but I'm willing to spend more than that if it means better precision. Also noticed SJH's build thread so I'm gonna read through that. He did basically what I'm looking to do.

If anyone has experience with the headstock/spindle assembly from little machine shop, I'm curious what kind of precision I could expect with it when turning 7075 aluminum. One example of parts I need to turn are blade grips which are 25mm diameter with a 19mm bore that goes about 50mm deep which needs to have a nice fit for 19mm bearings. Assuming my machine is rigid and precise, would this headstock assembly be a problem for hitting repeatable bore tolerances within a few tenths? Also there weren't many details about it for what chucks into it.

[skrubol]

If you were looking at the 7x lathe headstock, that will probably be a bit on the small side if you're looking to do 5" turning occasionally. As far as what fits it, LMS has chucks with backplate adapters (just look in the 7x lathe section, they're all basically the same there.) The spindle face is only about 3" (might be exactly 3" or a 'metric' 3" of 75 or 80mm, don't remember.) Spindle bore is only about 3/4" as well.
Not sure about concentricity and all that, but I think the stock bearings are just deep groove, but may be able to be upgraded to AC (only 1 in front and 1 in back though.)

[asuratman]

I built cnc lathe from an old OKK manual lathe. Cost almost nothing, never use the manual lathe. I built with 1800 oz in on Z and 425 oz in on X, ESS mach3. It works but I can not make thread yet. I have to purchase lathe pulse spindle. I use mach3 wizard, xy working. Bigger lathe than 7X is easier to install ballscrews 2010 and 1204. You have enough room for them. No need modification.

[bebellmm]

Hello, I'have a similar project, and same problem, any news on this ? thanks

[maxspongebob]

I think you would be best off starting with a manual lathe frame. I did a conversion of a PM1228, probably bigger than you would need.

Maybe start with a Harbor Freight Mini Lathe.

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/verti...-software.html

[bebellmm]

I think you would be best off starting with a manual lathe frame. I did a conversion of a PM1228, probably bigger than you would need.

Maybe start with a Harbor Freight Mini Lathe.

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/verti...-software.html

Sure, it's the obvious thing to think about, and what I did with my mill. But I want to see where the price of a lathe with the collet adapted to my need + the conversion, will get me compare to start this project from scratch. So I'm evaluating this problem, and the headstock / spindle / is the most consuming problem so far.

Thank you

[guitarchitect]

What about a Taig headstock? They sell a 5C... that's what I've considered for my own project. I love the idea of a small self-contained unit with a couple linear stages, my problem is that i work with plastics and need tailstock support for shaping the 5" pen bodies that i make, and that gets hard with a self-made lathe. I may yet just get a Taig 4019, my problem is I want to have flexibility of the engraving possibilities of a toolpost dremel/grinder holder, and the Taig/Sherline really is made for cranking out small parts. But it fits the bill for a very accurate pre-made headstock

[bebellmm]

What about a Taig headstock? They sell a 5C... that's what I've considered for my own project. I love the idea of a small self-contained unit with a couple linear stages, my problem is that i work with plastics and need tailstock support for shaping the 5" pen bodies that i make, and that gets hard with a self-made lathe. I may yet just get a Taig 4019, my problem is I want to have flexibility of the engraving possibilities of a toolpost dremel/grinder holder, and the Taig/Sherline really is made for cranking out small parts. But it fits the bill for a very accurate pre-made headstock

Too small for my needs. I think I'll end up doing everything by myself, because price are crazy.

[Azalin]

Not answering the op but I converted a Siege C6 to CNC few years ago. I can do everything a 2 axis lathe can do including threading. However converting a manual lathe brings problem as well. No matter how high quality ball nuts you use you always expect backlash because the friction of the ways. Another problem the wear in ways. There is always some wear which you almost cannot fix. I also have a little dam twist. I hate it.

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