Re: Grizzly Mini Mill

Jon Elson asked why I didnt think the Z would be easy to add a leadscrew.
The problem is the head rides on a cast box section with the V on one face.
The rack runs up the length of the V, but is mounted on the surface- there
is no slot. If you tried to slot it to put a lead screw inside the box I
think it would weaken it to much- the total travel is about 12". I suppose
you could add a screw off to the side, but then it would have a couple and
might tend to bind.

Andy Clay suggested the machine had metric screws. I thought that at first,
but Im fairly sure the US imports do not- I measured the screw carefuly
and it is a 16 pitch, and the collar is clearly marked to 123 divisions-
not 125. I also set up a Dial indicator and ran a few turns to be sure. The
other bolts and screws holding it togetehr appear to be metric, but I
suspect the leadscrew on the American models is realy 16tpi.

I have not measured the T nuts carefully, but the 3/8" set I have from
Grizzly for my Calusing mill is to big. I think the slot will handle a 3/8
bolt so I can use the studs and clamps, but I will make a handfull of T
nuts. I did not order a vise, in fact I did not see the Grizzly had one
sized to this machine. I think Ill make a couple clamps to hold a drill
press vise I have, for a mcahine this small it should be rigid enough.

I am thinking about trying to make an anti-backlash nut out of moglice
instead of converting to ballscrews. Since the thread is brand new and has
no wear yet, if I cast a nut to it it should be very low backlash. Since
this is the quickest conversion, I want to try it first. I may someday go
back and do ballscrews, but I want to try a cast nut.

Does anyone now where to purchase moglice, in a small quantity? I did a
good bit of net searching, and can only find a few firms that use the stuff
for repairs, but they dont say anything about selling it. Ive sent off a
few e-mails but no answer yet. McMaster Carr or MSC do not list it.

I did find a web page for Devcon, and they advertise a wear resistant metal
filled eppxy, WR-2. Has anyone ever tried it?

ron