Re: Grizzly MiniMills&CNC

As it seems every 4 or so weeks this pops up, I am about to do the
same. As could be taken directly out of the archives...

"I too have a grizzly mini-mill that I am preparing to CNC" - and
before I re-start the thread of its quality or its capability, I am
not intending it to do "amazing" things - only small simple "home
shop" type of work I can not do easily by hand (ie: outside/inside
radius mill work).

In looking at the date of Paul's last email, I am hoping you (Paul)
have had time to work on this project some more and possibly detail
your results? (The more details the better for I am completely new to
this world, and love what I am finding. ball screw types, stepper
motor sizes and satisfaction with results in regards to the Z axis -
and just how you modified your mil to accept the ball screw in the Z-
axis are ALL very intersting to me)

Again - I apologize for posting this well covered topic on the list,
however, I am quite "new" to this and have been reading everything I
can get my hands on.

FWIW: I am looking to do exactly the set up Paul has outlined in a
previous email, however using 34 steppers on the X/Y and possibly a
42 on the Z as it seems there is a need for some real torque on that,
all powered by geckos. I am quite clueless at this time how I am
going to design the mounts for the motors, how all will interface
with the ball screws, and the like. I have plenty of ideas and have
seen a few detailed images on the web - however, details and pitfalls
to avoid in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Feel free to email me directly if this is a topic that gets beaten on
this list - in fact, ANYONE who has even attempted to CNC their
Grizzly Mini-mill or has some inout, please email with thoughts. (if
only to say "spend more $$ and get a real mill" - don't bother. The
mill works well for what I need to design and build.)

Thank you.

DaveG
"yet another grizzly mini-mill CNC retrofit"
dave@...

> I have responded on list regarding using ball screws...
> Stepper motors will be used through out, and I intend to use

direct drive on

> the X and Y axis. Z will have to have some gearing unless I can

find a larger

> stepper. I do have an assortment of toothed belts and pullies if

direct drive

> doesn't work to well.
>
> I can certainly email pictures of the various parts as and when I

make them.

> Of all the axis, Y looks like it will cause the most problems if

I'm not to

> loose any travel. There looks to be plenty of space within the base

casting,

> but I will probably end up doing quite a bit of machining to get

everything

> to fit in.
>
> It will be a few weeks before I can make a real start on the

conversion -

> Need to finish of one outstanding project and then get the mill

home from the

> office. I'll email some small images over as I progress, and if

there are any

> questions, feel free to ask.
>