Lots of people don't realize how useful 3D printers are. I can't wait to get my mill conversion done. I know the 3D printer will help me out as well. I have made so many useful things with my 3D printer.
Nice job. I wish I would have thought about using a recip saw on the casting. I used a die grinder... and it was very painful. lol. Not sure if my casting is weird or what, but I also need to add clearance on the right side of the existing casting slot in order for the nut assembly to not rub. Buying a second saddle was also a good idea.. I might still do that. Even though I have a drill press, it just left a bunch of craters in the metal, and it's not rigid enough to cut out the thin walls, so more die grinding.
Thanks for the feedback! The reciprocating saw is one of my most used tools. I use it for everything from cutting aluminum stock to pruning branches. I'll have to put a die grinder on my Christmas list.
If I were to do this over, I would consider making some changes. Obviously, I would not have removed so much material from the top slot. The other thing that's obvious, is how thin the casting gets at the top of the inch and a quarter hole in the front. It seems to me that the whole ball screw assembly could be lowered a bit. I'd have to remove some material from the flange on the bottom of the ball nut so it would clear the casting below it. Then 3D-print a jig to guide a hole saw, off center (lower) of the original hole in the casting. The motor mount, mounting holes would also need to be adjusted in either the casting or the motor mount itself. Then, too, a longer clamping block would be required. Just some food for thought. Edit: I just noticed, lowering the Y-axis motor mount will likely cause it to hit the stand drip / chip pan. This could be solved by adding a spacer between the mill base and the pan, raising the mill a bit.
Get one they are great! Ive just finished an ELS/CNC conversion of my budget lathe and it works really well. I used a controller called Nano ELS and its really good.@@joat_mon
Update: My total USABLE cross travel is 7.25 inches. It would probably go to close to 7.5 if it weren't for the rear way-cover taking up space.
Lots of people don't realize how useful 3D printers are. I can't wait to get my mill conversion done. I know the 3D printer will help me out as well. I have made so many useful things with my 3D printer.
Nice job. I wish I would have thought about using a recip saw on the casting. I used a die grinder... and it was very painful. lol. Not sure if my casting is weird or what, but I also need to add clearance on the right side of the existing casting slot in order for the nut assembly to not rub. Buying a second saddle was also a good idea.. I might still do that. Even though I have a drill press, it just left a bunch of craters in the metal, and it's not rigid enough to cut out the thin walls, so more die grinding.
Thanks for the feedback!
The reciprocating saw is one of my most used tools. I use it for everything from cutting aluminum stock to pruning branches. I'll have to put a die grinder on my Christmas list.
If I were to do this over, I would consider making some changes. Obviously, I would not have removed so much material from the top slot. The other thing that's obvious, is how thin the casting gets at the top of the inch and a quarter hole in the front. It seems to me that the whole ball screw assembly could be lowered a bit. I'd have to remove some material from the flange on the bottom of the ball nut so it would clear the casting below it. Then 3D-print a jig to guide a hole saw, off center (lower) of the original hole in the casting. The motor mount, mounting holes would also need to be adjusted in either the casting or the motor mount itself. Then, too, a longer clamping block would be required. Just some food for thought.
Edit: I just noticed, lowering the Y-axis motor mount will likely cause it to hit the stand drip / chip pan. This could be solved by adding a spacer between the mill base and the pan, raising the mill a bit.
If you have a lathe I bet you could mount the Y axis where the tool post goes then put an end mill in the chuck and hog out the material that way.
Good idea. But, I don't have a lathe... yet. :-)
Get one they are great! Ive just finished an ELS/CNC conversion of my budget lathe and it works really well. I used a controller called Nano ELS and its really good.@@joat_mon
great video! very informative. thumbs up and a new subscriber. Thank you!!
Thanks!