Originally Posted by
SScnc
I do have an air compressor but like most, it's incredibly LOUD. Although I am building a silent compressor I've been wanting to try this electric draw bar idea out.
I spent about a full day getting this all put together and operational and I'm impressed with how well it works. This little linear actuator is very powerful, it's rated at 900 lbs. "push". I first had 3/8" rods for the cross bars and the motor quickly bent them. So since it looked like the idea was actually going to work, I changed the cross bar rods to 5/8" and they work fine.
While I was at it I also installed the top bearing cooler, the coolers will be much more useful when I get the spindle speeds closer to 8000 RPM but they help now.
I really think that this electric (or any power drawbar) would work much better with R8 instead of the MT3. I had to use 10 Belleville washers to get enough travel so my TTS style holders would release. I may change to an R8 spindle later.
Now instead of using the spindle lock, wrench and brass hammer, I just press a DPDT (on) OFF (on) toggle up or down.
I personally haven't seen this done and thought you guys may like to check it out.
Best,
Steve
EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot, the 1/8" lever bars are just temporary, I'm going to change them to 1/4" thick due to the strain placed on them during operation.