[Starleper1]

1800-444-3353 is the parts warehouse for Harbor Freight for anyone interested.

[jstiltner]

Would there be any benefit to spacing the head block out a bit from the part of the head that rides on the column, like what hoss did?

[jalessi]

AS,

Thank you for the information and fast reply.

Jeff...

[asammons]

Would there be any benefit to spacing the head block out a bit from the part of the head that rides on the column, like what hoss did?

Absolutely! Right now I am not able to take full advantage of Y travel and can make use of only 6.5". I will machine that part out once I complete the Z axis and add homing and limit switches.

Regards,
A.S.

[SSN Vet]

very creative solution to the "how to extend the X2 table travel" problem.....

well done

[SScnc]

A.S.,

Could you please post the total footprint required for this mod including steppers and full travels? The reason I ask is that I recently designed an X2 stand in SolidWorks and was almost ready to start cutting steel for it. I had figured that later when I could afford to step up to an X3 I could change the top section of the enclosure to suit the larger mill.

The X2 is actually very good for my needs with the obvious exception of limited travel, especially the Y. Now with your excellent thinking and work on this I feel that your design/idea will suit me perfect for a long time for a lot less money.

Again, EXCELLENT work and thank you for posting and helping everyone,

Steve

Below is what I have in mind (before reading what you've done)...

[asammons]

A.S.,

Could you please post the total footprint required for this mod including steppers and full travels?

Steve,

Footprint, including travel on all axes is:

X = 55"
Y = 31"
Z = 38"

[SScnc]

Great, thank you very much !

[DogWood]

Beautiful job A.S.

truly inspirational

Thanks for sharing

[asammons]

Today was a good day....did a lot of 2D CNC pocketing to create the Z axis hardware. Stepper motor has not yet been wired, but everything is moving smoothly...tomorrow is a big day, if everything goes well, should run some first 3D G code.

What's left:

• 3" spindle extension
• XYZ limit and homing switches
• Lead screw covers
• Motor covers
• Flood collant
• Mist coolant
• Power drawbar for Tormach tooling system
• Automatic tool changer
• 4-th axis (rotary)
• Lathe spindle (mounted on the table) for CNC turning

[cyclestart]

Very cool

What's to become of the remaining X2 bits ?

Surface grinder ?

[Starleper1]

Care to share a little more info on the double ball nut? How exactly is it adjustable? What is the spacer in-between the two nuts?

[asammons]

Very cool

What's to become of the remaining X2 bits ?

Surface grinder ?

I was considering clamping it to the verdical drill press, but who knows...

[asammons]

Care to share a little more info on the double ball nut? How exactly is it adjustable? What is the spacer in-between the two nuts?

Ahh...the million dollar question! It is a special nut that has an internal spring with stiffness rating of 150lb at one and half turns - it is a custom built part. Half a turn of 50lb, 3/4 turn for 75lb, full turn for 100lb, etc. There is also a retainer, designed to prevent one ball nut to spin against the other one. Keep in mind, of course, that if the resistance to motion exceeds the spring preload, backlash will come back. I have found that 100lb of preload overcomes all moving and cutting forces on X and Y, while Z requires 150lb.

[Crevice Reamer]

Wow! What an awesome achievement! Good Job!

What is the length and width of that base?

CR.

[asammons]

What is the length and width of that base?

The base is 24" x 16"

[acondit]

I have a Grizzly G1007 that is very similar but has a 9.5" x 32" table. I had been thinking about trying to build a column for it that would use linear rails, but I had never thought of using an X2 column assembly. Very smart idea and nice looking.

Alan

[Starleper1]

Ahh...the million dollar question! It is a special nut that has an internal spring with stiffness rating of 150lb at one and half turns - it is a custom built part. Half a turn of 50lb, 3/4 turn for 75lb, full turn for 100lb, etc. There is also a retainer, designed to prevent one ball nut to spin against the other one. Keep in mind, of course, that if the resistance to motion exceeds the spring preload, backlash will come back. I have found that 100lb of preload overcomes all moving and cutting forces on X and Y, while Z requires 150lb.

Im guessing you use a disc spring with the given size of that collar? Very inventive of you. That is if you designed/built it.

[asammons]

Im guessing you use a disc spring with the given size of that collar? Very inventive of you. That is if you designed/built it.

I did indeed. I basically reviewed specs provided by manufacturers of preloaded nuts and used them as design guidelines to create a unique assembly that uses off-the-shelf $20 ball nuts.

[asammons]

Well, at last some first cuts. Work piece measures 2" X 4" X 1".

Roughing passes

• Depth of cut: 0.100"
• Feed speed: 60 inches per minute
• Spindle speed: 3000 rpm

Finishing passes

• Depth of cut: 0.001"
• Feed speed: 60 inches per minute
• Spindle speed: 3000 rpm

Total machine time: 9 minutes