Who has machine tools?!?

[DocsMachine]

Very interested to see what parts you're going run with that machine. What's the minimum parts run to make up for machine setup time with a turret lathe?

-Depends on how complex the part is. If I need all six stations full plus some posts on the cross-slide, yeah, I'm gonna want to run as many as I can to make it worthwhile. (Also keeping in mind I don't need to run 600 parts of an item I'm pretty sure will only sell 20. )

If it's just a drill-and-part, like for a spacer or thick washer or something, that can be set up in minutes, and might be worth it for even just one part.

On the other hand, again depending on the complexity of the part, I might be able to have this tooled up and running, before a CAD guy has modeled and toolpath'ed the same part for a CNC.

But really, this thing's just a stopgap- something to help out while I get some proper CNC stuff sorted out, and afterward, I'll keep it as a "second op" machine, for things like cleaning up the parted-off end, and the like.

Doc.

[desertT1]

This is my X2 mill that I converted to CNC. Running Mach3 as shown. It’s all on the desk Flounder have to me when he moved away. I build the enclosure out of chipboard pieces of an old dresser and desk before they got tossed. Currently cutting a mold. More on that in a bit.

[Flounder]

Glad to see you are still using that desk. Looks like a nice set up.

[desertT1]

My Rockwell (Delta) 11x36 lathe. Added the DRO since X didn’t have any travel indicator, but Y does. Go figure. Has a turret changer, but no tailstock. Not normally an issue, but could be for sure if I wanted to do something like Freak bore a barrel. Also, has a collect system instead of a chuck. It’s an L-00 though, if I ever needed one.

Have the receipt from the job shop in PHX that bought it new in 76 or 77. It made brass bushings for aerospace parts for years, actually I think it was the same part almost non-stop for 30 years before it sat idle. I cleaned it up and gave it new paint.

interesting thing is the speed is supposed to be selectable with a lever that you can lock into place. There are high and low gears too. The lever was broken and I made one out of aluminum that I just leave in place. Cuts fine in high and parts and single points nicely in low.

[desertT1]

The last of my main tools, which is getting rotated by MCB somehow, is the one that will get me in trouble. It’s a Morgan Press from the 80’s. They actually still make 3 versions of this press with a few nice changes over the years. It’s an upright injection molding machine. This machine hasn’t changed much, but the newer one at the now closed Techshop Chandler could fill a mold of mine that this one won’t for some very annoying unknown reason. Talked with tech support and it might have been the guy that designed the machine for all I know, but we couldn’t figure it out.

Anyway, it’s cool. Cutting a non-paintball mold on the CNC now and hope to test it early next week.

[Deus Machina]

I miss mine. 😭
I started off with a MicroMark 7x14 lathe (the same as the Harbor Freight mini-lathe, just longer) and matching mini-mill:
(and a huge mess on the workbench that day)
And eventually upgraded to a Grizzly mill

and Grizzly 10x22 lathe.


I absolutely loves those machines.
Also, for scale and what it's worth, the bench the Grizzly lathe is on is the same one the original two machines were one.
In, like, a Theseus' Ship sense. But that's the same top piece.

[Kit]

Got the tilting vise cleaned and put into place. Just need to make jaws for it and to find a flange nut.

[travis1581]

This machine started as a pretty basic Taig. Since purchasing in 2016, I have made the following upgrades:

• Custom Frame
• New spindle motor
• Ball screws
• LinuxCNC running Mesa Cards
• DMM servo motors on all axes

Upgrades planned in the near future (already purchased, just need some time to install/modify)

• New Z Axis (Parker 404XR, for more Z travel
• BT30 spindle
• New spindle motor, 1 kW
• Homing switches on all 3 axes

This started as a fairly inexpensive experiment to determine if I enjoyed machining. I actually purchased the original machine on the MCB BST from Nuclear Zombie (At least I think that was the usertag)! I realized I really enjoy the CAD, CAM and optimizing the programming to reduce cycle time. However, after the first article has been made, I tend to lose interest... Since I realized that, I have increased my material removal rate in aluminum from .1 cubic inches per minute to .6 cubic inches per minute. With the upgrades I have planned, I should be over 1 cubic inch per minute with the time to complete tool changes reduced by 80%. If I'm still not happy with the production capabilities, I will probably purchase something a bit larger like a Syil X7 or Tormach MX series.

[desertT1]

I know I can do this manually, but is you CAM program giving you your cubic inches per minute?

Also, what have you done to up this value? Always looking for tips to help this little machine of mine to get through jobs faster.

[russc]

Travis, that's where I want to head with my Taig...but I'm thinking I'll probably stick with leadscrews and just accept it for what it is. Did you send the machine in to get Taig to modify it?

[travis1581]

Travis, that's where I want to head with my Taig...but I'm thinking I'll probably stick with leadscrews and just accept it for what it is. Did you send the machine in to get Taig to modify it?

The only thing I have done through Taig was the ball screw kit. It was almost cheaper to buy a new mill ($1.8k) as opposed to shipping mine back to them for retrofit (~1.5k) so I went with a new mill and sold my lead screw mill. Honestly, the only improvements I see from a leadscrew vs ball screw standpoint for this machine is it doubles the speed at which it can travel, and I haven't had to adjust anything on the ball screw setup after initially tuning it.

The frame was purchased from a guy on facebook. Servo motors are from DMM tech. Im currently using a CONSEW sowing motor (hands down the best upgrade you can do for little money). My new spindle motor will be a DMM servo as well. Feel free to PM me when the time comes to plan for an upgrade. I am pretty weak with anything to do with LinuxCNC, but I have limped my way through... Anything you want from Taig can be purchased through Carter Tools at a 10% discount.

I cant figure out how to reply to desertT1's comments so I am going to add them here:
For my setup, I am strictly HP limited. I can run over 300 IPM with torque on each axis for days. However, my spindle motor boggs down. This is how I set all of my depth after finding a good machining formula. I use Fusion 360 for CAM and do not believe it tells you the MRR. As mentioned above, a new spindle motor is the first upgrade anyone should make to a Taig in my opinion. Adjusting belts is time consuming and it is so under powered, even if you are only cutting aluminum or plastic... My first motor upgrade was a CONSEW .75 HP motor on amazon. They run between $100-$125. I had to make a new mounting plate and get new pulleys.

[greystone]

Little too big for the garage at the house...

[DocsMachine]

Ah-ah-ah. No fair, using photos of machines from work.

Unless that is, in fact, your personal machine, in which case you need to let us see what you make with it.

Doc.

[greystone]

It's for hobbies! Originally purchased it to open a business, which went no where, but we kept the machine and the space. It hasn't been turned on in a year but have some things brewing now. She shall run again.

[Canuck]

It's an old pic but it gets the point across...

[netsurferdude2]

No judgement on the messiness of the shop please but I have a 1959 Bridgeport. I'm not too into machining but more on the fabrication side of thing. Metal art is where the fun is. I took these pics as a "before" shot so I can compare them to the "after" as I clean up my shop area. Installed a DRO on it during Cornteen so I have been playing around with it. There is going to be a lathe fitting in here somewhere in the next coming weeks.






Other stuff: 250lb anvil, Miller Mig Welder, 1" belt sander, 12" disk sander (this thing eats steel), wire wheel, 8" grinder, HF bandsaw, Enco Upright drill press, and a movable vice on a hunky stand.
Not pictured: wood working machines but who cares about them

[XEMON]

that "hunky stand" dont look too bad, my 8" grinder is sitting on a stand made from a rim with a pipe welded to it ...

[netsurferdude2]

I got some free H Beams from a gym that was remodeling. I turned them into a couple stands and still have some more left over for other projects. The wire wheel base is an old truck axle. Heavy is good.

[XEMON]

I love industrial "trash", I saved a lot of things out of dumpsterssss ...

My rim/stand is a little lighter than I'd like, I'm considering putting a tire on the rim and filling it with concrete ...

[mikew]

I also have an engraver. I bought it 30 years ago to engrave panels and labels for studio installations.

I've also used it to put a few serial numbers on paintball guns in the past.

Mike

[Freerider_79.1]

Excuse the picture angles...
I had the little 7x14 mini for about 5 years but some of my projects started to grow and exceed what it was capable of. I was only planning on going a little bigger when this new machine pretty much just came to me. I responded to a wtb ad for a mini and the guy knew about this unlisted machine that was way too big for his shop so I got the number. It was a 5 hour drive just to go see it so I ended up buying based off pictures for $1200 Canadian with tools and a pile of materials.
But it was in a basement of a house with a 3500lb milling machine sitting next to it. My buddy bought the mill.
The guy was moving into an assisted living situation and everything had to go. Kinda sad to take the guys stuff knowing what it’s worth to buy new. he said the job he retired from was with the medical department at the local university modifying tools. I have no reason not to believe that and if you saw his shop you probably wouldn’t question it either.
she’s a single owner 1984 14x40 2hp single phase, made in taiwan. Pretty much like new. I can’t even remember everything it came with.... 4 jaw, soft 3 jaw, regular 3 jaw, rotary table. Box of various size cutters hss and indexable, with about 200 inserts. I believe it’s call a symmetrical threading tool? And a box of dies to go with it. Taps, dies, hand tools, measuring tools.... on and on. Not even going to mention all the materials... but probably well over $1200. Few hundred lbs of aluminum stock, ti, brass, bronze....
My garage floor has a pretty wicked slope so I welded up a new stand for it with screw jacks built it to the legs. Option 2 was pouring a level pad and I don’t plan on being at this location long enough for that.
As far as machining I’m self taught with the help of youtube... but I can tell you this... single point threading is so satisfying 😁 I work as a boilermaker/ welder for a day job.
The bandsaw... my old saw crapped out and the Milwaukee’s were on sale. Hands down the best bang for your buck bandsaw under $500 and a stand made from scrap.