Author Topic: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion  (Read 269989 times)

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #500 on: November 03, 2012, 10:59:16 AM »
Certainly at the time I purchased mine, the Myford version was about £1800 and the Warco £1600 ish.

Then they looked an identical design with slightly different bolt ons -lights, dol switches, power feeds etc.

Popular opinion then was that the extra cost was worth it due to the Myford slideway scraping and the backup available (then!) from Myford in the event of any problems. Not that I ever had any.

Stories around at the time were that handfuls of casting sand could be found in some competing brands. As i was then buying a machine for 'life' of hobby use, I paid the extra for a Myford

It was much later on when Myford dropped the VMC from their range to concentrate on VMB, VME and VMF  - I believe on grounds of quality problems with sourcing VMC, that Warco started selling the 6x26 with the fine quill feed and calling it VMC

The Myford VMC table is nearer 24" long so following the convention, this would have been 6x24 although I've never seen another machine form that era so described.

Bob

Offline NickG

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #501 on: November 03, 2012, 11:48:39 AM »
Thanks Bob, Rob and John -  interesting. I hadn't noticed the lack of fine quill feed but I don't think it would bother me either, it would if there was no quill at all but cuts are better applied by elevating the knee anyway - I guess one situation it would be useful would be plunging accurately with a slot drill or something. I thought it would have been strange if Myford didn't give them the once over before selling as it could have damaged their reputation - good to know.

I'd obviously missed your post Bob but will be watching now. I wouldn't be planning any CNC though, far too complicated for me! I would just be happy with a machine that takes off the amount you ask it to without any drama!

The photo I supplied was just one from the web, it's not as clean as that but still looks in good nick and nothing that wouldn't clean up apart from a couple of slight marks on the table. Funnily the motor appears to be grey rather than green. I had to ask the seller for photos so probably shouldn't post them on here though. http://www.homeworkshop.org.uk/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&Itemid=15&view=search&text_search=myford+vmc

Only problem is it's in Eastbourne so couldn't be much further away in the UK!

Thanks again.

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #502 on: November 03, 2012, 12:51:39 PM »
Thats a good price especially for the inverter too.

Just look at the comedy price for the one below from Howard Trippe!!

I I wasn't just about to fly out to US/NZ for a few weeks, I could go over and take a look for you - it is only just along the coast from me.
I wonder if there is another member nearby who could help.

Good luck

I'd bite his arm off!

If you need transport - there is a guy steve with a service called Landy lift. I've heard very good reports of him and he looks after the machines. If you are not in a hurry, he will store stuff until he is next up your way to cut down the costs.

Bob

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #503 on: November 03, 2012, 01:31:26 PM »
It dose look a good deal Nick  :thumbup:    for that price i cant see it hanging around for long .


Rob

Offline NickG

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #504 on: November 04, 2012, 06:37:26 AM »
Wow, stupidly I didn't even see the one below!

I'm not entirely sure what the motor is or how it's hooked up, it doesn't look like an inverter on the pics I've got! Will ask as am a bit concerned whether it's been lashed up with a chinese style dc motor and speed controller. Doesn't look like that sort of motor though it's got a proper casing and fins etc on it.

I was looking into pallet courier services as the petrol alone would be around £110 not to mention the chew on of a 700 mile round trip with trailer on! I'll have a look at Landylift then.

Thanks,

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline 9fingers

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #505 on: November 04, 2012, 07:11:31 AM »
Iyou want to mail me the photos at bob.minchin@ntlworld.com  I can take a look for you at the motor/inverter set up.
This is an area of expertise for me - see webpage

Bob

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #506 on: December 16, 2012, 12:33:28 PM »
Well not allot has been done to the 626 , well apart from move it around the shop a few times , I am remodelling the shop  :bang: :bang: ,BUT I have moved the new to me mill into the shop and repaired the high low spindle speed fault ,  gear selector was seized on the shaft , power feed motor needed two of the field coils repaired , easy fix  :zap:  ,I was pleased that I did not have to send it out for a rewind .


I still have the glass scales to refit to the mill . And I got my Thiel die filing machine up and running , just needed a bit wiring changed it had three on off switches fitted  :scratch: , Re filled the oil tank with 22Lts of oil ,and repaired the air blow pipe that blows the fillings clear .



Hopefully I would like to get back to  working on the 626 over the holidays  :dremel:


Rob

Offline krv3000

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #507 on: December 16, 2012, 03:20:43 PM »
good one rob yep will be nice to see that one finisht off

Offline doubleboost

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #508 on: December 16, 2012, 04:12:58 PM »
DRO looks nice mate :jaw: :jaw: :jaw: :jaw:
John

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #509 on: December 16, 2012, 05:12:18 PM »
Looking good Rob!  :thumbup:

Like your filer too! Never seen one that size before.......

David D
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Mayhem

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #510 on: December 17, 2012, 05:53:57 AM »
That is an interesting looking mill Rob.  I've never seen one like that before.  It almost looks like a vacuum cleaner.  Nice looking filer too.  You don't mess about with flimsy machinery do you!

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #511 on: December 17, 2012, 01:06:08 PM »
Cheers Lads

Getting there Bob  :palm:


Aye the DRO cleaned up canny John , good solid unit all cast ally casing ,made in the USA I think ,must google it  :)


David ,Mayhem   :lol: :lol: Aye its a big bugger , well its not that big  :palm:,way i look at it is at least i don't have to fined bench space for it  :med: , but due to needing more space as i still NEEDED two other machines a TCG and something else ,some things have had to go namely my large Kennedy tool chest ,it took up a good chunk of floor space , so i moved my workbench to a better place in the shop ,sadly lost the view out the shop window , but needs must .  anyway ended up with this .

Still a work in progress ,air line and sockets to do ,but its getting there ,all the most used tools are at hand and at least i don't have to rummage though draws looking for  what I am after ,clean up should be easier,  also moved the vice to a better position and the file rack .


Rob 

Offline krv3000

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #512 on: December 17, 2012, 03:33:40 PM »
just like mine rob its much beter than rumajing in draws for that one bit of kit that you no shud be in ther then after the war dance at not finding it you remember that you had it on the mill  :doh:

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #513 on: December 17, 2012, 03:41:05 PM »
Bob,  after seeing your shop layout convinced me to bin the tool box and start sticking gear up on the walls  :thumbup: I still have  a few more lengths of the Bott racking system so allot more will be going up on the walls  :med:

As you say its much easier to finned gear now  :)


Rob

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #514 on: December 17, 2012, 03:49:02 PM »
Nice and clean Rob. I like it.

That mill looks like a robot intent on taking over the world...

Eric
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Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #515 on: December 17, 2012, 03:57:42 PM »
Cheers Eric ,,,,,,,,,,  :lol: :lol: :lol: the mill dose have a bit of a Coneheads look about it  :lol: :lol: :lol: also think its part larva lamp  :lol:

Rob

Offline SemiSkilled

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #516 on: December 18, 2012, 03:08:27 PM »
Ay oop Rob, seeing that filer brought a lump to my throat, I just didn't have floor space or bench space for it but its nice to know it will be getting used, btw I found another of the file holders pm with yer address if you want it m8.


Lee
You're right, it does look easy when its finished.

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #517 on: December 18, 2012, 03:48:38 PM »
Hi Lee ,,, Oh it will get well used,saws good too  :dremel:  cracking bit of German engineering .


Nice one those chucks make changing files a 2 second job ,PM sent  :thumbup:

Rob

Offline micktoon

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #518 on: December 18, 2012, 06:34:20 PM »
  Hi Rob , good to see you posting again , the shop is looking very spick and span there :thumbup: :clap:................. the bench looks a bit too neat if there is such a thing  :lol: , I am sure it will 'mature' with use.
  Keep up the good work
  Cheers Mick   :beer:

Offline NickG

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #519 on: December 20, 2012, 11:02:14 AM »
Very nice Rob :thumbup:
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline John Stevenson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #520 on: December 20, 2012, 11:23:10 AM »
Found a big box of those machine files the other week, about 60 of them, all different types and sizes, some Swiss make, can't remember the name.

Was going to make scrapers out of them
John Stevenson

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #521 on: December 20, 2012, 03:31:27 PM »

Was going to make scrapers out of them


Better than throwing them in the skip   :lol:


Rob

Offline RadRod67

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #522 on: February 04, 2013, 07:28:21 AM »
WOW just got thru that thread, that is some awesome quality work Rob

Rob.Wilson

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #523 on: February 07, 2013, 01:47:42 PM »
Thanks RadRod  :beer:

Still a fare bit still to do  :dremel: ,must get finger out and get cracking again  :palm:

Rob

Offline lockstocknbarrel

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Re: Chester 626 mill CNC Conversion
« Reply #524 on: March 12, 2013, 04:49:08 AM »
Hi Rob,
Just looked back at this thread, and once again you have proved to be one of the specialist machinists that post here, and set the standard for us all.
And that you are happy to share your Knowledge is just the icing on the cake for us all.
Thank you.

In this post you mentioned going to the beach, I had flashes of the sun tan................as you spend so much time in the workshop.

Can you resend email as it may have been spammed out, have a parcel to send to you.
Kindest Regards
Beagles   
Kindest Regards
Beagles............
Dave Weir