[blkexp98]

I have a Grizzly G0619 (SX3) and want to add a powerfeed. I plan to go with full cnc in the future so i was thinking about what motors and controllers would allow me to use that with a cnc conversion later. Do any of you have any ideas on what would be good to take a look at? I have been reading through various conversions but it seems there are lots of options out there so its hard to know what is the best route. My plan is to make a sliding mount for the motor to engage and disengage the powerfeed. That way I wont have the extra drag when I manually move it. Are there any motors that have a feedthrough spindle of sorts where you can mount a handle to the back of the motor to manually turn it. Something like a square or socket drive that the handle could snap on and off of would be a cool feature. I have a DRO so the dial isnt really a a big loss.

Another possible issue is I may get the longer table at some point. Is that a screw up or a good investment on this machine. My main worry is ball screw avaliability and flexing if weight is on the outside ends (maybe a 6" rotary table with 3 or 4 jaw chuck).

Thanks for any ideas and in the meantime ill keep reading the build threads.

[doorknob]

There are dual-shaft stepper motors such as this one:

High-Torque Stepper Motor, Stepper Motor, Driver, Stepper Motor kit, DC Servo Motor, DC Servo Motor kit, Stepper Motor Power Supply, CNC Router, Spindle, and other Components. Automation Technology Inc

So theoretically you could put a dial on the rear shaft to manually turn it (and some people actually do that), however doing that might generate enough "back EMF" voltage from the motor to cause problems with your motor driver electronics. Also note that an unpowered stepper motor will have a tendency to "cog" or have noticeable detent positions that it will tend to snap to (200 of them per revolution).

[Crevice Reamer]

What axis are you planning to powerfeed? X is fairly short, so pf not really a big advantage. You can BUY a X powerfeed from Grizzly:
H8178 Table Power Feed for G0463/G0619

but $290 is about half of the cost of CNC electronics with G540, and sieg powerfeeds aren't really powerful enough to be of much use.

You might be better off to just CNC with stock screws for now.

CR.

[blkexp98]

Sorry for the delayed reply. I saw that offering from Grizzly for a bolt on option but like you said I hate to pay out that much vs putting it towards a conversion. If there was something I could make and reuse the parts in the conversion that would be optimal. For right now I would be using the standard lead screws. That G540 seems to be the one I keep seeing people use drive wise. The X axis is what i was going to try to powerfeed.

Thanks for the heads up on back feeding. I dont know why I didnt think of it as a generator since thats basically what a motor is. If I do use a stepper motor I will just make it so I can disengage the whole thing and get it out of the picture.

[Crevice Reamer]

Here are some links to ideas from people who made their own power feeds. The first one uses a stepper motor:

Yuriy's Toys: A Better DIY Power Feed for X2 Mini Mill

DIY $8 power feed for X3 Mill Z - YouTube

Diy Mill Table Power Feed - Home Model Engine Machinist

Weaponeer Forums: DIY Mill Power Feed

RF30 Traverse Power feed - Part 1

home made table power feed [Archive] - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...feed_mill.html

Mini Mill Power Feed

Make or Buy a Power Feed for your Mini-Mill | MachinistBlog.com - Part 1

Power Feed for Mill - Home Model Engine Machinist

CR.

- - - Updated - - -

Here are some links to ideas from people who made their own power feeds. The first one uses a stepper motor:

http://www.yuriystoys.com/2012/01/mini-mill-power-feed.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozReKtixJcU

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f28/diy-mill-table-power-feed-17879/

http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11286&PN=1

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~thetinkerer/projects/powerfeed/index.html

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/archive/index.php/t-6917.html

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/benchtop_machines/147444-inexpensive_x_axis_power_feed_mill.html

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Modifications/Power_feed/power_feed.htm

http://www.machinistblog.com/make-or-buy-a-power-feed-for-your-mini-mill/

http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f28/power-feed-mill-18163/

CR.