[gd.marsh]

Great machine .. will make a fine CNC Mill w/ some significant capabilities.
Hope the wife doesn't kill you too bad ..

Thanks for serving your country!
Gary

[eartaker]

I had a talking to... lol, all is well though. The tooling I ordered showed up today but I cant use my indexable end mills or the fly cutters because I forgot to order a 1/2 R8 collet and I also forgot some machinist squares.

[jalessi]

Jermie,

What was the cost for the Bolton Hardware ZX45?

Welcome home,

Jeff...

[eartaker]

About 1800 with residential and lift gate delivery, the mill itself was 1580.

[mattbesquare]

About 1800 with residential and lift gate delivery, the mill itself was 1580.

grats on new toy.


:banana:

[eartaker]

Well I ordered 3 RM2005 610mm, 850mm and 1070mm and 6 ballnuts from LMB today, hope it all works out. Mill should have been delivered today but will try again tomorrow.

[eartaker]

ITS HERE FINALLY!!! and good lord is thing thing huge, much larger than I expected it to be... I have a bench to build now to hold it.


I came home from work just to get it to the garage... I couldn't wait lol

[Flenser]

hey, that looks just like mine...

[eartaker]

I was amazed at how quiet it was when I turned it on, and at how easy it was to move the X/Y axis. I just got back from Lowe's and starting the bench build now.

Pics to come

[gd.marsh]

Jermie,

Just a word of caution .. check the oil level before running it too much .. Mine came to me with NO OIL in the head ..

I was also surprised by how quiet it was .. but they won't be quiet for long without oil .. that's for sure!

Have fun!
Gary

[eartaker]

I only turned it on for a second to check it out, but mine was also shipped with no oil. Also where is the spindle lock so I can loosen the draw bar... I cant seem to find it.

[photomankc]

I think the RF-45's are without said spindle lock. At least I have seen people marketing one for them as an add-on.

[angelballer]

Yep. No spindle lock on RF45's. There is a commercial product available (http://www.spindle-lock.com/) which seems pretty easy to replicate but for now I just use a Crescent wrench when tightening collet nuts and the like.

[eartaker]

well crap, that is going to be an option I am going to add.

[Flenser]

I usually just stick it in low gear when I need to put a lot of torque on the draw bar. So far it hasn't been a problem.

[rusel]

Jermie,
Down under the same mill is called HM 45.
The one thing I would highly recommend is to strip the mill down to individual parts. You might be surprised at what you will find.
We found the travel lock for the y slide where not tapped all the way though and you could not lock the y slide
Hope you have the same enjoyment that we have had
You can see our mill and some of it specs at

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109407

Russell

[eartaker]

AGHHH Lowe's doesn't sell Epoxy paints for my enclosure, have to find a paint store.

[eartaker]

Well I have the plywood on the bench and started on the sides. Once I add the back I will coat everything in an oil base paint, then add the drain in the bottom and silicone all of the joints. Don't mind the mess I had to rearrange the whole garage to make room and I still have to move everything into place once I have the bench done and the mill out of the middle of the floor.

Various pics I took at different stages.





The last one shows the 4x4 I placed where the mill will bolt to the table.

[eartaker]

Got the ballscrews today from LMB and I am happy with the product. 3 screws and 6 nuts. Only problem is.... my mini lathe is to small to turn them down. I need to find another lathe or somewhere I can use one.

[eartaker]

Finally got an engine hoist so I could get the mill up on the bench today. was an easy task with the help from the wife. I am leaving the bench partially incomplete until I get the CNC conversion complete.

And as I stated before this mill is huge compared to the X2, I cant seem to get over it.