[CanuckKnives]

I'm a very small time knifemaker, and was getting tired of making the knife handles and msc parts by hand, so Ive been dreaming of a CNC machine for about a year now.

I finally saved up enough money to afford a BF20L and just took delivery last week.

So far all I've done is unpack the stand and uncrate the mill. My first problem is that this thing is heavier than I thought. Is it a really bad idea for a newby to take the head off so I can lift it and assemble on stand, or will I really be messing up factory alignment that way?





Cheers!

[hoss2006]

Taking the head off will only shed about 60 lbs.
If you unbolt the column too that would break it up into manageable hunks by yourself, that's how I did it.
g0704.com pics
You'll need to check tram anyway but if you can lift the full mill as is with the help of a friend or two or use a hoist of some sort, tramming will easier.
Videos here on tramming Projects2
If you take the head off read #2 here. FAQs
Good luck, Hoss

[CanuckKnives]

Thanks very much for the pointer to all your info! Ive got lots of reading to do.

I think I might see if I can borrow a hoist so I dont have to take the whole thing apart to get it up on the stand.

[Kenny Duval]

You are going to end up taking it apart anyway. Might as well learn the machine ins and outs while getting it on the stand. I had mine for all of 2 hours before I completely tore it apart....

[arizonavideo]

If you pull the table and head two guys can lift it easy.

The table is only a few bolts. The head is 4 with a hidden hex bolt to prevent it from falling off.

[CanuckKnives]

Ya I sized up the job, and taking it apart is just way more manageable. I bolted my stand to the concrete and Ive got the head off so far. I was hoping my version has the upgraded 3 bolts the newer grizzlies seem to, but its only go the single.

[CanuckKnives]

Well I almost got it back together but not quite. I took some pics of it in ripped apart stage.

I was doing some floor milling to play with it first though, and I did the break in.













I knew that the stock leadscrews would have some backlash, but it's pretty bad. 0.006 on x and 0.008 on y.

Once I can afford some ballscrews I'll be getting those for sure.

[Stigoe]

I knew that the stock leadscrews would have some backlash, but it's pretty bad. 0.006 on x and 0.008 on y.

Once I can afford some ballscrews I'll be getting those for sure.

Isn't there some set screws on the nuts to adjust backlash? I seem to remember there was on mine.

[CanuckKnives]

Isn't there some set screws on the nuts to adjust backlash? I seem to remember there was on mine.

Ah, I'll check. Im quite new to this, so I have a lot to learn and figure out still.

[CanuckKnives]

Hey all. I have a rule about earning the money first before I upgrade, so its taken me this long to save up for CNC upgrade parts. I ordered from optimum before christmas and just go the parts in yesterday. Stepper, pulleys, belts, ballscrews all here. Now I gotta find some instructions on what to do, and figure out what kind of gecko drive I need.













This might take me awhile but I'll get it done one way or another.

[hoss2006]

I have the optimum cnc conversion pdf I can send you, it doesn't appear to be available on their site now.
pm me your email address if you want.
Hoss

[sandric]

Hey Hoss, can you send those to me? I also plan to get FDM BF20L in Ukraine, and wonder about budget variant for that mini-mill cnc conversion, how do you think, is it possible to go at first without ballscrew conversion? Also I wonder if I really need those massive NEMA34 1200 oz steppers or I could be fine, maybe with less speed, but with NEMA 23 for 420 oz? Thx.