RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Harbor Freight Micro Mill 47158

Sherline tool holders are threaded 3/4-16 internal to fit the Sherline
spindles.

John Guenther
'Ye Olde Pen Maker'
Sterling, Virginia

> -----Original Message-----
> From: miadsgns <MIADSGNS@...> [mailto:MIADSGNS@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 15:22 PM
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Harbor Freight Micro Mill 47158
>
>
> Has anyone tried retrofitting this amchine to CNC. I am in process
> of upgrading it to ball screws for small repetitive CNC model hobby
> related tasks.
>
> I am trying to find the size of the lead screws the machine comes
> with, if anyone knows this, I would also appreciate any sugestions as
> to motors and a good controller, I am thinking 160oz/in motors will
> be a good start, if anyone has already gone this route. Eventually I
> will do it if no ones has done it yet, but I am sure someone out
> there has done this already. The machine has been on the market for a
> little while now, but I have not had luck finding any info on
> retrofits for it so far, I just bought the machine and just starting
> looking.
>
> The 47158's base and colum are SOLID!
>
> Initially I was considering designing my own dedicated CNC micro
> machine for another of my neverending micro manufacturing tasks, or
> retrofiting one of my Sherlines and machining a new xy table for it
> with enough heigh top allow the intallation of 1/2" of less
> expensive 5/8" ball screws.
>
> A call to Sherline and a talk with Joe Martin convince me that it
> would have been more trouble to do it with the Sherline, so this
> steered me into looking for other cost effective alternatives. I
> still think the Sherline has great potential to be retrofitted
> inexpensively, as compared to some very expensive models out there,
> even with ball screws. Something I will eventually do when I have
> some free time to rethink all the redesign through carefully. Just
> for the joy of it.
>
> The price for the 47158 is perfect.Of course I am looking at how this
> applies to my needs and this may not necessarily apply to everyone.
> Some people may want to look into this machine if you do fun model
> work, the price in my view is unbeatable and even if the machines
> turns out to be a dud after use, I can still use it for simple
> machining taks. The thing with me is that I always find a good use
> for all types of machines. I rarely get rid of ones that fall into my
> posession.
>
> I almost bought a used DynaMyte 2400 on Ebay, so GLAD! I din't get
> suckered into purchasing one of those, I was ready to pay $3000 but
> figured I purchase a nice small solid base and column machine and
> upgrade it the way I want to, to do exactly what I want it to do.
>
> Besides I already have a Bridport mill too bulky for most of the
> stuff I do and even the DynaMyte weight was a concern. If I can not
> move it alone it becomes a mayor taks for me and something I try to
> avoid. The bridgeport is an exception it can not be moved once
> located and I had planned for this when I got it.
>
> I understand that DynaMyte 2400 has similar quality lead screws to
> the 47158, something I would have had to retrofit anyway on the
> DynaMyte at a higer expense not counting the freight for shipping the
> DynaMyte to my place and the cost of a lift to move it around my
> shop.
>
> I have several Sherlines and MaxNC converted to CNC that I use for
> dedicated micro manufacturing tasks, and surprisingly these machines
> when set up correctly can do some amzing stuff, some people will
> disagree with me, but perhaps they don't do the type of work I do.
> These machines have good rigidity but the 47158 has more mass and is
> small enough (in the Sherline micro size range) with a larger solid
> steel table bed perfect for miniature model work.
>
> The 47158 xy table looks very easy to retrofit since there aren't
> many set screw settings and adjustments as in the MINI Mills (next
> size up) sold by the same company Harbor Freight or similar ones like
> the Micro Mark mini mill, Grizzly, etc, etc.
>
> The 47158 size is something I was lookign for but price for similar
> size CNC retrofitted micro milling machines was prohibitting. I think
> the 47158 has tremendous potential for CNC precision model work at a
> fraction of the cost of machines that run in the thousands $$$ range.
> Concider we are not talking Hass or Fadal precision but a good amount
> to do model work, not NASA space shuttle parts. After all, some
> higher priced micro machines are nothing more than similar mechanical
> machines manufactured in China that use very similar quality
> components upgraded with better lead screws or balls screws and
> retrofitted for CNC.
>
> The 47158 comes with steel backlash compensating split nuts which
> appear to have good tension and antibacklash compensation, as is, and
> I think will work just fine if set up properly, but for precision
> micro cnc work,I think ball screws is the way to go.
>
> I've figured by the time this machine is retrofitted to fit my
> application, I will have spend a fraction of what I was willing to
> spend on similar retrofitted machines. The only thing is my time for
> retrofitting the machine, but I really enjoy doing retrofits and
> working qwith simple machines,so long it doesn't turn out to be a
> major task like retrofitting a much arger and heavier machine.
>
> I disassembled most of the 47157 machine upon receipt, cleaned up the
> protective shipping grease that the machine comes coated with and put
> it back together using machine oil for lubrication. I love the ease
> which the lead screws are attached to the Z column and xy table. Very
> soimple. I have not removed the handwheels yet so I don't know what
> type of couplers I would need but it loos like they could be 1/4"
> diameter very easy to couple to ball screws I think. The XY screws
> look like they are 1/2" diameter 16TPI but I am not sure, if someone
> can double check this for me, I'd appreciate it.
>
> The XY screws appear to be metric not sure on the Z axis. I have
> called the distributor and they can not tell me much beyond what the
> instruction booklet specs say, not much. This is the
> only drawback, but I can live with that, since nowadays one can get
> almost any type of information through the internet and forum like
> this one.
>
> The 47158 uses a drawbar which I think is also metric perhaps
> M10x1.5? Harbor Freight sells some tool holders threaded to fit this
> size drawbar and Morse Taper #2 wich is what the 47158 spindle calls
> for, I saw similar ones from Enco but the they are MT2 with 3/8-16TPI
> trheaded tapped ends. The tool holders Harbor Freigth sells only go
> down to 3/16 tool shanks, I have to look closer at other tool
> distributors like MacMaster Car, MSC, etc. to find suitable tool
> holders and adapters if people don't beat me to this information.
>
> Worst case, I will need to make adapters or find an adapter to use
> with the Sherline tool holder. I have a considerarble number of tool
> holders for the Sherline but not sure exactly what the threading is
> on them looks to be 1" diameter, an adapter to use these Sherline
> Tool holders is something I am looking for also, this way I can cross
> use tool holders between the Sherline and the 47158. If anyone
> knows of any retofits or adaprter with a MT2 for tool holders, please
> let me know ASAP.
>
> Overall I believe the 47158 has a solid base, it does have a drill
> press lever, independent from the Z axix, but I have decided to lock
> the drill press lever in place, remove its handle and use it stricly
> as a CNC milling machine, the spindle is pretty solid, no sideplay
> noticeable after applying considerable side forces by hand, something
> I found surprisingly interesting since most inepensive similar
> machines that have drill press type spindles tend to have a bit of
> side to side play.
>
> For the price I paid for this 47158, new close to $300, I knew I
> would only use the base platform and retrofit it with balls screws is
> my ultimate goal.
>
> I am sure there will be pros and cons with the use of the machine as
> with all things, my goal is to tackle the cons and if more people
> find this machine useful the better!.
>
> I get so upset when I see the rip off in some of these Ebay autions
> for machines that one could build/retrofit with minimal expense and
> a little elbow grease at a fraction of the cost. Some people may
> disagree with me but I have seen enough to know that one need not go
> the expensive route if one looks carefully at the alternatives.
>
> I hope to get feedback and will post more as I (we) expand on this
> topic.
>
> Thanks
> Mario
>
>
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