Re: microkinetics

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., rick bond <rick@q...> wrote:

> Hello every one.
> I am thinking of retro fitting a bridgeport mill series 1 and am
> looking at a kit from
> Microkinetics.Has anyone dealt with their products.

Well Rick,
I don't know where to start. I purchased the kit and an Enco Model
1599 (9x49) mill which they recommended during multiple phone calls.
Check the web-site it says the kit is for Bridgeport or Enco mills.
Not one part will bolt up directly to the Enco mill. Most problems
are small, the kind associated with fitting an English kit to a
metric mill.

Presently, however, I am facing the manufacture of a custom X-Y
ballnut yoke for the Enco mill. In my opinion this goes beyond the
scope of labor normally associated with the definition of 'retrofit
kit.'

Oh and by the way, while Mary Ann (MK sales), Tara(MK
Acounting/Shippping), and Maurice (CEO and Electrical guru) are
extremely nice and customer focused, John Birone (MK Mech. Engineer/
Mech. Tech Support and Partner) does not meet the standards
for customer service set by his employees or Maurice, in my
experience.

Most notably, after spending a little over $8K with MK, it appears I
am not entitled to any type of telephone tech support for mechanical
issues, which as I mentioned have been a few with this retrofit kit
and mill MK recommended. At one point, I have left polite messages
for him three days in a row with multiple return phone numbers, both
with voice mail. No return calls. When I have called the staff and
asked to speak to him, I get, somewhat sheepishly, "Sorry, I can't
find him, but if you email him he will answer your question."

He has answered the email questions. The first answer was rather
sophmoric and the information was useless. Having to prepare an email
(with images) and wait overnite for nothing added insult to injury.

The third and latest email response states that he knows nothing
about fitting the retrofit kit to my particular mill and that the
problems which arise "are yours to figure out."

If you purchase a Bridgeport Series I, I suspect you will not have
many of the problems I have encountered and face.

Also, I am concerned about Z axis travel with the kit, as installed,
travel is reduced by a couple of inches, at least. But then, when do
you use all the z travel anyway. With cutting and grinding on both
the mill and the retrofit pieces some is recoverable. This work will
require removing the spindle, however.

About a month into this project, this is a summary of my experiences
with MK so far. Good luck.

Regards,
Joel