Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Small Machine CNC 100 posts needed.................

Hi Bill, List,

I Have had CNC up and running on an old Sears/Sherline mill for over a
year now. The motors are 70 oz/in, the mounts are the Sherline
retro-fit CNC kit. Love it! Currently using MaxNC "motion kit"
(4-phase) and MaxNC -PRO software to drive it. The driver board was
built into a large die-cast box. '386/33 PC. Lubrication? What's
lubrication? I apply a little tap oil for the cuts (per material
type). I grease the lead screws with a can of red multi- purpose
grease. Gets on everything. I design with Vector CAD/CAM on my "work
machine", and sneaker net over to the mill machine. The mill is mounted
on a 1" thick slab of aluminum, approx 12" x 16". This sits in a chip
tray. I have 4th axis Sherline rotary table, and I plug it in as 'Y'
when I need it.

Currently putting together Gecko G210 drivers, new 180 oz/in motors, and
new controller software. STEP/DIR. Fast. Very Fast. Also 400 Mhz AMD
processor PC. Hope it runs EMC and/or CNCpro.

Want 16" swing mill, ENCO? Grizzly, RongFu? Myford?? Would LOVE to find
EMCO, or other Austrian/Swiss/Quality mill of similar size!

Want 4-axis CAD/CAM, and Controller software.

Alan KM6VV


wanliker@... wrote:

>
> I am slowly modifying a Sherline mill for CNC in my home shop. I mounted the
> mill on a cheap Chinese surface plate, and it makes for a very flat and
> stable mount, and very stable from tipping. I mounted the Steppers direct
> 150 oz./in. With the X on the left side, and the Y out the back, this made me
> dig a tunnel thru the Z axis base for the Y leadscrew.
> I still need to drill and tap two holes for the Z axis, and make 4 spacers
> for the Z mounts. I used the motor mounts that Dan Maush published in a Nuts
> and Volts Magazine article. Drew them with Vector, did them manually on the
> EMCO FB-2 mill. I silver-soldered extensions on the lead screws in the
> lathe, came out nice and straight. I incorporated thrust bearings at the
> stepper mounts for both directions of travel on all three axis of the
> machine. I used the couplers that look like they are made with saw slits
> going around the coupler, are solid couplers better here???
> Now I need answers on lubricating the Sherline when I get it running, as one
> could easily do more work with a Sherline in a month using CNC than a
> lifetime of hand turning the knobs.
> The power supply/drive is next, this one will be using the Camtronics 5 amp
> boards. I plan to be able to use the same unit on other units in the future.
> the boards are finished, and just need to finish the power supply and
> associated wiring.
> Software will be Vector, and CNCPRO.
> The next machine to be modified, will probably be a small Prazzi lathe.
> Pleas furnish some answers for my questions, and post how you built your
> Sherline, or other small machine.
> Thanks, bill