Re: Please take a look over my shoulder –base machine

Dave thank you very much.

You have brought in another dimension to all of my questions. Your
discussion has been most helpful and appreciated. Thank you for
taking the time to respond. I hate to admit this but I did not know
how to use this forum. Thank you for directing me to the other
forums where my conversion topic has been discussed. You've been a
great help to me.

Whelen





--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "turbulatordude"
<dave_mucha@y...> wrote:

> > My present system contains a MicroLux Milling Machine #82573
> > purchased from Micro Mark. I also have a MicroLux 7x14 Lathe

#82710,

> > so I can do fabrication to mount servo motors, and or build new

x,

> > and y axis slides. I'll start with the lead screws that came with
> > the
> > milling machine. Need information about, do I need to modify the

lead

> > screw nuts, as an example. I plan to measure backlash.
> >
>
> Hi,
>
> To make the responses easier, I sniped the other stuff and also
> changed the subject line.
>
> SEIG is the supplier/manufacturer of the micro-mill and it is the X1
> model. Yahoo group
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hf47158toCNC
>
>
> The X2 is the Mini-mill that so many people have written conversions
> about and there is a yahoo group as well.
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mini_cnc_mill/
>
> The X2 is a little bigger, and you many need the room. if you put

on a

> rotary table, for example,
>
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?

itemnumber=47052

>
> the spindle to table is 8.66 inches (see data sheet)
> http://www.siegind.com/Products/br-x1-super-lathe.htm
>
> With a fixture of any kind to hold collets or a chuck, the center

is 2

> inches off the table at least. (assuming a 4" rotary table.)
>
> That leaves 6 inches to the work. Assuming a 1 inch mill, and a 1
> inch dia part, that leaves 4-1/2 inches in the vertical.
>
> The bed has a X movement of 7 inches, less 2 for the rotary and
> another 2 for any kind of chuck, more for a collet, and that leaves

3

> inches of work space.
>
> so, the work envleople is about 4-1/2 by 3 with a rotary table.
>
> The X-2 is a larger machine and has a vertical clearance of 11

inches

> and an X travel of 9-1/2 inches.
>
> The X-2 motor is 350 watts to the 150 watt of the X-1
> and lastly, the X1 has a MT2 taper whereas the X-2 has an R8 collet.
>
> The price difference is not all that much, but with the larger X-2,
> you have a lot more room to put in ballscrews.
>
> Since you have been talking servos, it is assumed you will use
> ballscrews. Also, since your work is so small, it is also assumed

you

> will put all the wear on one small section of the screws and bed.
>
> And, that brings up another comment.
>
> the machining of the ways is horrible. There are a lot of people

who

> put some grit on them and "lap" them to remove the high spots.
>
> Although it has been pointed out that this is not really lapping,

but

> is considdered premature wear, the results have been praised as

really

> improving the accuracy and sturdyness of the machine. Scraping or
> grinding is preferred if you have those abilities.
>
> There are companies you can buy a fully conveted machine, complete
> with ball screws and servos and the like.
>
> There is also a plans set for converting the X-2 to ballscrew and

CNC.

>
> For more information about the basic machines, surf thru the
> mini-lathe site
> http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Main/mini-mill.htm
>
> Hope any of this offers some interest.
>
> Dave