CNC bound
finally was able to order the steppers and controllers to CNC my Mini Mill, just going to do 3 axis for now (hope to do 4 then 5 in the future)
Also ordered a copy of Howard Buckley’s book, hope to see that in a couple weeks.
Already have some good software, just need to learn how to use it 😳
once I get the mill setup and also get up to speed on the software I hope to make next gen version of my stock as well as a full air rifle 😯
(don’t really need CNC to make the air rifle, will be a nice exercise though)
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On the X and Y I can get 20 IPM without problems on the stock screws. I’ve went as high as 30 if I remove the hand wheels – They aren’t balanced so make everything wobble if I go above 20.
I still need to get the Z finished (stock coming Tuesday, and I still need to find the belt I bought).
I’m going to stick with 20ipm though – any faster and I’d just end up over running the limits every other run.
Whats the rated backlash on those screws and nuts?
Thanks, yea the fignoggle plans are a bit heavy in the work department.
I just wasn’t happy with the performance I was getting from the stock screws, accuracy was good but the feed and rapids where just too slow, the Z was the worst, could get anything above 6 ipm reliably
Good work !
I’m glad I didn’t go with the fignoggle plans now because that seems like a lot of work to me. Think I’ll be sticking with the stock screws on the X and Y on mine too.
Nice productive day, finished threading the Z axis Ball screw and Modified the X axis bearing block, also got the X and Y ball screws cut to length
Finally got a chance to get back at it, finished up the Z axis bearing block, also started to grind down the Ball screw for the Z axis
from my experience chips never get close to the motor, the head deflects most back done before they even get close
I have a bigger problem with the chips flying into my drill press motor 😯
about the cpu fan…..is it wise to pull air up through the motor…i mean with chips and all flying ? wouldn’t it be a safer bet to push air from the top and down the motor….maybe with one of those cheap craftmans airdifuser thingy for their wacumes…just to be sure your not pushing dity air into the motor ?
GIBs where just a bit too tight
Yep thats basically a cpu fan up there, got it from this guy http://harrisson.biz/ the base it the important part.
Pulls air up through the motor, helps cool it on those longer CNC runs
Sucks when it misses a step… I was working too close to the edge of the Y limit and would have ruined my day if I hadnt been doing a test run in thin air. I made sure to set the soft limits after that.
You know what caused it to miss a step?
That Z looks beefy.
CPU fan on top of your motor?
Thanks 😀
got a bit more done, scored all the nuts and bolts I’ll need as well
Dropped some step and screwed up the hole, had to reset and go again (its just a hole so no biggy)
I decided I needed the extra inch and a half that I had gained when I put in the longer rack, so I modified the fignoggle plans a bit by extending the ball screw a few inches and moving the Z bracket up and resting it on a solid chunk of aluminum
strewth m8 that is also impressive!
did a little threading myself tonight, 10-24
total of 14 holes
of course the stupid camera focused on the wrong thing 👿
got some more .5 plate from online metals, should be in good shape this weekend
the iron there made of actually taps quiet easily, I’ve already put half a dozen holes in mine for the DRO that I had on it (need to put that on my lathe)
Should pick up(or make) a tap guide though, getting straight can be a bit tricky
Looks good !
Have fun drilling and tapping those holes in your mill… 😯 I know I would – I’m dragging my feet about tapping just two holes.
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When you guys are all done could you post an overall cost of the two projects? I know its out of reach for most of us but its pretty cool to dream about it.