Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Bridgeport ballscrew retrofit kits and prices

Hi all,

Just a bit more info - the McMaster Carr ballscrew kit is made by
Rockford Ballscrew.

I bought my X, Y & Z ballscrews from Rockford. I need custom ends on X
and Y for my First brand Mill (Sharp brand in the U.S., I think). I
took all the measurments from my acme leadscrews modelled in in CAD and
then generated the 2D views Rockford needed to make the custom ends. I
checked and re-checked my dimensions about a thousand times before
sending them off to Rockford. The quote for the custom ends (on both
ends of the X & Y ballscrews) and the yoke was about $800 IIRC. It took
about two weeks and when they arrived, everything fitted perfectly! I
was so impressed with the whole experience dealing with Rockford I can
wholeheartedly recommend them. Rockford have the drawings for most
brands of BP clone mills and can usually provide the kit to suit. In my
case, they didn't have the dwg's so I had to make them.

I was very fortunate with my mill (bought new) because it already came
with an extra threaded section to enable me to preload a pair of thrust
bearings on both X & Y at one end and at the other end I just made a
spacer to replace the handwheel and add some light tension to the
ballscrew via the end nut. I have never regretted not having the
handwheels on the mill - I do everything through the CNC control - my
WinGcnc control from www.jraco.com came with a handwheel box (not
pictured on the website) that is far better than a manual handwheel. It
may be a different issue with a different cnc control however.

Cheers, Peter

>
>