[SPEEDRE]

Hi guys, had a dream that I could use one of those motors one would find on a mini-mill like the Grizzly model. The LittleMachineShop sells them for repair parts, any comments. I know nothing about electric motors so be kind.

[ger21]

Use it for what? A router? If so, the spindle speed would be too slow to route wood.

[SPEEDRE]

OK but what if I just modified the mountings so I could use the whole milling head ?

[JFettig]

Speedre, you could use the spindle for routing but it would be way slow, the bearings in that head for the x2 mill can only handle about 5000rpm at the absolute max. I have some bearings in mine that will handle 10,000rpm which might do the trick for you.

I have a couple small spindles I am putting together that shoudl handle near 20,000rpm but they are still in the works.

Jon

[MikeAber]

I use two spindles on my little gantry router, a craftsman rotary tool (2 speeds 15k & 25K RPM) for working with wood and a 350 watt servo motor with motor controller that gives me a variable speed spindle of 0-6000 RPM.

[rgillam]

I have converted a mini lathe to a cnc spindle and it works great so far.
Here is a link with some info and pics. Some of the stuff have been modified and changed a little since these pics were taken but only for ease of use and repositioning the speed control box to gantry leg.
http://www.customgraphicshop.com//cnc/spindle.htm

[debogus]

rgillam,
Did you start with
This lathe ?
Dave

[rgillam]

Hi Dave,
It's Canadain Tires small Mastercraft 12-in. Wood Lathe. You can get them on sale for 99.99 sometimes.

[MikeAber]

Very creative application of available items. The motor and motor controller are worth the price.

[Marc]

Hi, I've been thinking about using my hand piece (flexible shaft) that came with my Multi Pro Dremel, I never use it anyway. Do you think it would make a good spindle ? Before I hack it

Look under accessories

http://www.dremel.com/HTML/home_fr.html

Marc..

[JavaDog]

Hi, I've been thinking about using my hand piece (flexible shaft) that came with my Multi Pro Dremel, I never use it anyway. Do you think it would make a good spindle ? Before I hack it

Look under accessories

http://www.dremel.com/HTML/home_fr.html

Marc..

I always thought the Dremel and its accessories always had a ton of slop/runout in them...

[Marc]

Java, how's your machine coming along ?

Marc..

[MikeAber]

I think Dremel tools are great, however, they were never designed for this level of duty and the power you could apply to the handpiece would be very limited.

The Dremel could meet your needs if your needs do not exceed the capability of the Dremel.

Define the tasks to be acomplished, then find a spindle for your needs.

Mike

[Marc]

That's why I was thinking of hacking a handpiece, I will only cut, engrave plastic, I hate the noise a dremel makes

Marc..

[SPEEDRE]

OK I guess that there are'nt any off the shelf spindles that are cheap. Are any of us game to provide a spindle that can be used with a step pulley that can achive at least 32k rpm's.? What dia. steps are neeed, what rpm motor, can it be activated by Mach2? I have a million ides but not all the knowledge to even attempt such a thing so I guess I'll just be an observer for a while longer.

[MikeAber]

Speedre,

http://www.buildyouridea.com/cnc/pcb...pcb_drill.html
http://www.buildyouridea.com/cnc/pcbmill/spindle.html
http://www.kleinbauer.com/

Take a look at these websites for a high speed, homebrew, low cost spindle and MILL for PCB/Plastics work. I would also check ebay for PCB spindles.
I ordered a PCB spindle and instant Z axis from "CNC On a Budget" over a year ago and never received them. I can't recommend that company.
A 5 amp .8 Hp two speed rotary tool that turns 20K and 30K RPM with 1/4" and 1/8" collets is available at Sears for about $80.00 on sale with attachments. They are about double the size of a Dremel and half the size of a router. I use one in my mini gantry mill for PCB and wood working. There are pics in the gallery.

Mike

[SPEEDRE]

So if the pictures and information on the builyouridea site are acurate the putting together a spindle isn't rocket science. I guess I could just make my own, right?

[MikeAber]

Why not give it a try?
There are at least a half dozen websites with info on home made spindles or spindles on the cheap do it yourself side of things. I am certainly no expert in this area, however, I know lots more now than I did a couple of years ago.
Investigate what kind of bearings are needed for 30,000+ RPM and how much horsepower you will need to get the job done, even if it is by the imperical method. Many others before you have started with no experience and learned by failure and success what works and what does not.

Check out the CNC Mill at this website for lots of inspiration and spindle ideas. http://www.5bears.com/

You will gain a wealth of knowledge and experience for your efforts that is worth more than money.

Mike

[H500]

I'm using a dremel and it don't work well for cutting metal. The bearings are mounted in foam rubber, so even a light side force will cause the tip to move by 15 mil or more. This can cause it to climb into the work and possibly break the bit.

Need to think of a way to replace the foam without causing the bearings to bind.

[SPEEDRE]

I'm a bit confused by an earlier post. If I used my mini-mill motor and spindle for my gantry machine, why would'nt it be fast enough? I should think if it's fast enough for the mini-mill in the first place why then is it not fast enough for my gantry? I have cut both plastic and aluminum with my mini-mill and never had a problem, so again why not fast? I need to know if I can use the motor with a step pulley to achive usable speeds. How do I calculate pulley diameters? :idea: