Search:

Quick update:
Things are running pretty well!
Here's a shot of the current machine. I fixed the door so it slides perfectly now and opens up wide.
http://i.imgur.com/DdsxWbQh.jpg

I love how...

Oh, forgot the photo of the cleaned up control box.
http://i.imgur.com/ku54UZEh.jpg

I've also got to fab some way covers. Telescoping style......

This is a major update.
The machine is working!
I'll start off from the last update. Here's a photo of the crappy, warpy, gluey, recycled stainless that makes up this machine. ...

Hey pippin,
Thanks for the suggestion. I did a little more digging with classic ladder and there's not really a good way to control an axis really with the outputs. Unfortunately I'm not so good...

Turret is almost working. Now to figure out how make ClassicLadder execute this gcode simulated toolchange.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFqgUhXHk_Q

So much update! I've almost got the machine running. A couple bumps along the way but everything seems to be working out. I'm really hating and loving LInuxCNC all at once. There is so much you...

Wow, it's been a really long time! Sorry I disappeared, I've been working on building a company based on a 3D printer design. I need my lathe though so time to resurrect the project. I've been...

Happy new year!
Update and absurd setup of the week.
The CNC lathe couldn't deal with a 1-7/8 x 20 thread on the back of the spindle and started screwing up the passes in the threading cycle. So I...

Hey guys,
Progess!
Added a rail for the tailstock(slight design oversight) I think I'm going to find a cheep ballscrew and motorize the tailstock. I think that's actually easier than having to...

Thanks. Yep and Yep. It's a Little Machine Shop toolpost grinder. I had to make a mount to adapt to the 9x20 but no big deal. If you get one order some spare grinding wheels, and a couple belts. ...

Hey forum,
Long time no see! Sorry I've been gone so long, needed to spend effort on the making money front. I've been working nonstop on my 3D printer to bring it to market. I completely rebuilt...

Sorry for the lack of updates.
I've been focusing on a prototype for a 3D printer that will I'll be selling in the 5-8k range. This is a very rough proof of concept to develop boards and control...

Hello dbsharp,
There are few, if any, places to simply buy a hirth. I wasn't able to find one and my guess is it would have been crazy expensive. They're not hard to make assuming you have either...

Found another weird use for the old lathe.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/JakeMestre/2014-07-10115208.jpg

Beautiful machine. Well done.

Hey guys,
Long time no see. Sorry I've been MIA for a bit, had some really awesome projects come in the door with time sensitive requirements. Anyway, back at it now. I managed to fab part of an...

Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. You da man.
I don't think 5hp is overkill. This machine is quite rigid, the weakest link I think will be the 1/2" tool holders. I might have to machine my...

Wizbaa,
Thank you so much. The spindle motor is 5hp, and it has encoder feedback to the drive. I'm thinking I'd like to close the loop with the control for live tooling and rotation positioning of...

Control interface is mostly designed.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/JakeMestre/LatheControlInterface-1.jpg
I really do need some help with belts. If anybody has good reference material,...

Hey guys,
I need some help with pulleys and belts. I was thinking of a polyV or even timing belt but I don't know the first thing about picking one. I also need to find a good supplier. Would an...

Hey Zamazz,
My touchscreen is an ELO SCN-A5-FLT17.1-Z01-0H1-R. It's a screen with a resistive touch panel over it. I found them on ebay for $35 a piece so I bought a couple for my Tormach and...

I've been working on the control box quite a bit this week. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out where things should go to minimize power and signals running together. I work on it on the...

Good question. The Easy Servos are guaranteed to 2000rpm and the sales tech I spoke to said that if I actually tune them I should be able to get 3000. Not that it really matters, its something like...

More design work done.
I found a great model of a person on grabcad. I figured inserting a positionable human would give scale, and help me see where to position windows/doors/etc. Then I started...

Good trick with the presharp tungstens! I have a terrible habit of toughing the electrode to my work. I'm working on it. Thanks for the advice on the grinding. I actually did leave a couple extra...

Mornin,
New progress.
3D printed cable chain. Still need to print the top bar to keep cable in place, and I think I may add forks to the bar to keep cables running straight. Also need to print...

Thanks Wizbaa,
Yep, TIG welding stainless sheet is a challenge. I've got a couple things going that help with my lack of skill. I'm really only fusing the seams together eliminating the extra...

Sweet progress yesterday.
Auto oiler is mounted. I need to order the adjustable fittings for screws and guides.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/JakeMestre/2014-04-10201330.jpg...

Thanks LeeWay.

Hey guys,
Some updates. I've been working on a quadcopter drone project for the last couple of months so I haven't made a ton of progress on this little lathe. The last two days however I was able...