Gallery, Projects and General > Project Logs

CNC Mill - Finally!

(1/3) > >>

Brass_Machine:
Hi all,

It has been a long time since I have posted a project on here. And this project has been a long time coming. I have been talking about this and gathering pieces for the past 4 years or so.

So the background on this one. I currently own (for the past 10 years) a Harbor Freight X2 mini mill. It as been modded... Belt drive, X and Y have been CNC'd (fignoggle plans), cheap Chinese scales and delrin anti-backlash nuts (again, Fignoggle). It has been a work horse for me. However, it is small. It does have the weak tilting column and required major tweaking ALL THE TIME.

Here it is in it's current state.



I had just recently thought about buying a Grizzly G0704 to CNC. A little bit bigger and supposedly, a bit better on the build quality. But, since I had already started buying parts for the upgrade, started buying parts for a CNC router and didn't feel like jumping on the G0704 band wagon, I decided to keep on with my current path of upgrading the X2.

My plan is this:

1. Use the SX2 base and table. This gives a table the is over 50% larger (supposedly) and increased range in the X and Y (30%). With some simple mods, I should get more!
2. Solid mount column from the SX2 (LMS Version). This will fix the flexiflyer column it has now.
3. Ballscrews
4. Dual airspring support for the head (instead of using a counter weight)
5. Brass gibs. Seems to be a popular mod... however, I am considering re cutting the ways to 60* and make sure everything is parallel and perpendicular.
6. Some type of auto or oneshot oil system
7. Coolant
8. New stand
9. Possibly a new motor (treadmill?), though I do have a new controller for the stock X2 motor.

Plus a few more things here and there.

Parts pile!



My first step, while I wait for stock and bearings, is to redesign the stepper mounts.

Eric

RobWilson:
Well its about time Eric  :)

Its looks like you have all the parts ready to take  that X2 to the next level  :headbang:


Rob 

Brass_Machine:
I have some plans for the X & Y axis that I got from mduckett over at cnc zone. He is doing an outstanding job on his conversion. Thread is HERE. It is worth looking at.

I am going to base my mounts off of his with some changes (my ballscrews are different than his). Plus, I want a small spacer between the table and bearing mounts to squeeze just a little extra travel for the table.

As far as bearings go, I am going to use 5201-2RS sealed double row bearings. I have seen multiple configurations on bearings for CNC conversions. Feeling kind of stupid as to why. Anyone see any reason not to use that type of bearing?

Eric

Imagineering:

--- Quote from: Brass_Machine on May 22, 2016, 11:05:29 PM ---As far as bearings go, I am going to use 5201-2RS sealed double row bearings. I have seen multiple configurations on bearings for CNC conversions. Feeling kind of stupid as to why. Anyone see any reason not to use that type of bearing?
Eric

--- End quote ---

Plan for one opposing set of Thrust Bearings per LeadScrew. Standard 5201 Bearings will have Axial Backlash which will eventually drive you nuts ... They are OK for the non-thrust end of the LeadScrews though.

Brass_Machine:
So I bought the 5201-RS bearings. I also got a set of thrust bearings. They are on their way. Will be ordering some aluminum stock on Tuesday. I hope to start milling the motor mounts in about a week.

Eric

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page