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Not quite sure how the PM-30 compares to the ZX45 in physical size, but I was able to purchase a BT30 spindle to replace the stock R8 spindle that came in my Bolton ZX45 machine.
I have a somewhat...

Sockets to fit square nuts are available in both Metric & Inch. Just look for 8 point sockets.
The G0704 should have something at least close to a standard metric size on top of the drawbar ..

Very Nice John!
Did you have the casting made, or is it something you are re-purposing? It ought to be very solid.
What RPM will you be able to get out of the Servo Spindle Motor?

Gary

Sounds like you might need to adjust the gib on the Z dovetails.
Movement of the head is a sign that the dovetails are too loose.
A screw that has an .005 bend should not cause any wobble in the...

The quality of your build is inspiring .. keep posting the updates!

Gary

I have purchased one .. and have not put it to work in my machine yet, but I have done a fair bit of bench testing with it.
So far I am impressed and I feel it will be a better system than the...

Ah Yes, the quest to 'make it better' .. Started my ZX45 conversion in 2010 & still 'making it better' today ..
'Tinkeritis' is a nice way to put it .. I've been calling myself a 'tweaker' over my...

Looking great John .. really like the new head /spindle setup .. I've decided to go in that direction myself .. thinking about a welded steel head, but still only in planning stages right now so...

John,

Any more progress? .. your machine is now inspiring me to do some rebuilding on mine ..
Please post your progress .. things are looking great!

Gary

+1

I've been using a shop made tool setter that touches off each tool before use for quite some time now ..
And I'm totally spoiled by it .. for the little bit of time it takes for the machine...

I'll second that Fastest1

Chip auger makes clean-up a breeze ..

Stuart,

I felt like the chip auger was a bit overkill too, but I did it anyway and am now glad I did ..
Being experienced machinists you may already know this, but It was a real game changer for...

I like it! .. naturally not for cutting .. if you hang anything very far off the back edge of the table it will hit the column when Y retracts.
But great for tool clearance around the largest piece...

Excellent CS900! .. You have gotten my attention also ..

I'm in the process of tearing down right now to do an upgrade to my ZX45 ..
Been wanting to go with linear rails on all axis also, but...

As an owner of a manual Bridgeport & a CNC Mill .. I'll give a +1 to the electronic controls.
Moving a machine in .0001 increments CONSISTENTLY with manual hand wheels is tough. A simple flip of a...

Very impressive!

I have one of those spindle cartridges and have considered going that route. Will be interested to follow your progress.
Can I ask what city in Russia you're in? I have a good...

John,

I am anxious to see more of your work on this conversion. You've already got my attention with the linear rail conversion!
I've been thinking about that for some time now .. but have not...

Stuart

Gotcha .. so it's an 'easier to work with from there' kind of thing .. I can understand that.
With my machine it seems like I'm manually jogging the axis around quite a bit during a...

Stuart

I'm sure a basic little gcode program could accomplish that, but unless you're going to cut the exact same part over & over .. why put the spindle at center of table all the time after...

+1 for the Kluber-goober!
Great Stuff!

I can't speak about the MX3660 .. but I do use an ESS on my machine.
It's always been my understanding that the inputs & outputs on all such boards are just logic switches that pull the terminal...

Pictures showing up for me!

Looking Good!

Post #321 pics still missing for me .. but everything since then shows up fine!

GREAT WORK! .. THIS BUILD IS RAISING THE BAR CONSIDERABLY!

Gary

Pictures missing from last post ..

Stuart,

I was able to trace it to Firefox problems by restarting Firefox in safe mode, after which your pictures & others videos that had gone missing showed up again .. I did a reinstall of...

Am I the only one, or are other's missing all the pictures from this thread?

All I can see are descriptions .. just went back through last month & pictures I used to see are now gone.
Double...

Sam,

I used a Milwaukee M12 .. didn't buy a kit, just the driver itself.
As for tight enough, I do go by sound .. with the BT30 tool holders it doesn't take a ton of torque on the drawbar to lock...

I have push to connect fittings on my oiling system which is a basic Bijur type hand pump with metering valves at each oil point.
There's been no issues since putting the system into operation...

Just in case you weren't aware ..

These are pricey .. but extremely well made and long lasting .. I put one on my machine several yrs ago & it's still in perfect condition.
They also come in...

If you're thinking of motorizing the quill & head tilt making it a 5 axis machine, you may want to first investigate which CAM software you will use, as most of what's available in the 'DIY' price...