[CNCfun&games]

JOSH,

Enclosed are Pictures of Fadal machined parts, In this case they are all associated with the
Hardinge Gang Tool "ROCK SOLID" Retrofits Greg builds as time permits.

Yes! We are considering making our castings available!

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA

[CNCfun&games]

The Z axis was completed with an obvious modification.
Previously a .5 in thick plate 4.00 in wide x 8 in. long had been used to
connect and stabalize the bearing mounting plates for the Y axis.
Machining two .5 in.x .06 horizontal slots into the Z axis base plate
will eliminate the Y axis plate and save about 8# in weight and $25.
in material cost.

The Machine table was completed as shown here month's ago. It will be installed
on Machine #2 then one of our three Electronic Consoles using the G540 will be
completed with a 48V-12.5 A. Pwr. Supply, mach 3 and away we go!!

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA.

[CNCfun&games]

Machine # 2 it was finally assembled !
A new 9.5" x 11.0" machine table was fabricated and installed.

The next order of business will be to complete the electronic package which is located in one
of our Custom Monitor Enclosures described in the last post.

Then it's PLUG and PLAY!!! ???

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA.

[Rodm1954]

Exceptional work - worth waiting for.

[CNCfun&games]

Rod, Your comments are appreciated!!

Have been working on Machine 2 to rap it up.....Was unhappy with the size of the machine table, so fabricated
one which better utilizes the available space. The new prototype is 11.5" x 13.12" and and think it will do for now.
Will make a new match plate pattern and have a couple proyotypes cast in Gray Iron.

Next on the agenda is to wrap up Machine #1 (the Heavy Duty "Primo" machine)

W. Smith Mission Viejo, CA

[John1987]

Why are you using cylindrical ways instead of linear rails? The base of the machine have good rigidity, but unsupported, thin ways destroy it totally.

[CNCfun&games]

John 1987,

Sorry you don't like our concept for "Economy Mill no. 2" which is really a router
for use on non Ferrous materials.

Stay tuned for our "Primo Machine no.1" which will be assembled here soon.
All components are steel and Cast Iron. It will include all THK or NSK Linear Rails
and Blocks and an all steel Machine Table. It will incorporate the Mighty Gecko 203V
Drives and size 34 step motors. This configuration will cost us an additional $1000. but
we believe it will be worth the time and money and produce a bullet proof design.

Best Regards.

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA.

[CNCfun&games]

A natural extension of the Basic Bridge Mill Design is the "spread column design".
This design can be extended in the "Y" axis by drilling an additional 8 holes in the existing tubular cross member.
This allows the Bridge columns to be spread an additional 7 inches and the machine table enlarged to 12. x 18.in.
The existing machine table is presently 12 x 11.5 in.
This change will be implemented by incorporating 18 x 24 in Precision Surface plates in place of the cast iron plates
used on the present designs.

W. Smith Mission Viejo< CA

[DSpeck]

Have you decided to sell any of the castings for the Hardinge lathe retrofits? I have an HC that I want to put this sort of thing on. If you don't wish to post publically, you can PM me with any details. I could build the table out of plate, but your solution is much more elegant...

[CNCfun&games]

D.Speck,

Sorry for the late response....Greg and I have been concentrating all of our effort on our latest design.

Ideally we would like to make all of our castings available to interested builders!

we have begun investigating new casting sources! I have commented about the inflated prices
of Gray Iron in posts on this thread recently.

Hope to have some feedback soon!

W. Smith Mission Viejo, CA

[DSpeck]

Well, I am interested in your castings, so if there's a list, please put me on it!

Thanks
Doug.

[CNCfun&games]

Well, I am interested in your castings, so if there's a list, please put me on it!

Thanks
Doug.

Decided I would post more information on the Economy version of this Mill configuration.It was originally designed
to use a Router for machining plastics & aluminum, but we had purchased 2 of the big 3HP routers so we changed the original mounting plate & indtalled the Big Water cooled assembly.

[CNCfun&games]

Enclosed is the latest concept for our Bridge Mill;
with a simple modification to the base, we were able to
increase the table width under the column by 4 in.

Seems like the thing to do!

[poolrod2]

I love it. Yes please. Very nice work.

[endlasuresh]

Nice work , I would like to follow you since thought to build but never did.

[CNCfun&games]

poolrod2, endlasuresh.........Thanks!! your comments are appreciated.

Time to do a little electro-mechanical assembly.
We had previously modified our standard Monitor Assembly, adding a couple of the Mighty Gecko 540 drives.

Next we added the mounting brackets & keyboard, the power supply and the Monitor and control switches.

The stepper Motors are connected to the Gecko 540 with standard 9 pin D series cables .
The Steppers are then terminated with our custom made D series breakout Boards.

The computer with Mach3 installed was hooked to the Gecko & away we go!!

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA

[poolrod2]

Looks great, quite a bit of z travel also.

[CNCfun&games]

Some second guessing is in order on the Z axis configuration!!
Looking at the side view of the machine in post 275, the total clearance between
the Machine table and the stationary Z axis plate is 8.25 in. and total z axis travel
is 6.25 in.

The 4 in vise in the picture moves the work piece up 2.5 in. from the top of the
Machine table. The value of the bridge configuration is that long pieces like extrusion
stock can be processed by unclamping a vise and moving the work piece thru the Bridge.

A 2 piece vise would be beneficial because it would lower the work piece back down
to the top of the Machine table, thus gaining 2.5 in.in work piece height.

The only 2 piece vise currently available is the 6 in. version on my Boss 5 which
I have tried to install but it is way too big. Have been searching the internet for a
4 in. version to no avail.

Guess I'll have to make a couple of patterns for a 4 in. version, Would have to compress the
clamping half anyway.

Suggestions appreciated!

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA.

[poolrod2]

A subplate and bolt down holes and tool tabs might help, not sure though. Here I have a project with a picture frame an tool tabs, the middle holes are centered, so I just flip it 180 to run the back side, so no offset changes needed.

[CNCfun&games]

There are presently two sets of Fixture Mill castings occupying valuable floor space
in my work area, awaiting Z axis components!!

The shortage of Spindle-Quill parts and the lack of incentive to build them was the major problem.
In considering my options, I decided to search E-Bay for "Replacement Parts".

I found and purchased a couple of likely candidates. One spindle and one Spindle-Quill assembly.

Because I was not totally happy with my selections I continued my search, and found two "NEW" complete drill press Head assy's. for $15.00 ea + 15.00 S&H. what a buy!!

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA.