Liberal Forum

ROG62 » 24 Feb 2024, 1:52 pm » wrote: ↑

24 Feb 2024, 1:52 pm

Here's my first mill project, 2 parallel tapered drill holes 15" apart on some new slide shafts for an antique vise I'm working on...simple, right?



Next up, some new mounts for my mill motors and shaft...

Tail end...



Motor mount x2...



I'll have to drill, rough bore and turn the tall area on the lathe, before putting in the mounting holes etc on the mill...

Wish me luck...if you never hear from me again, I shot myself...

Good Luck!  You're way ahead of me.  I'm still twiddling my thumbs on how I'm going to take the plunge to get started.  So, are those the mounts you are looking to replace?
 

Skans » 25 Feb 2024, 6:08 pm » wrote: ↑

25 Feb 2024, 6:08 pm

Good Luck!  You're way ahead of me.  I'm still twiddling my thumbs on how I'm going to take the plunge to get started.  So, are those the mounts you are looking to replace?

Yes, the guy who built it made them on a 3D printer. I think he used the wrong plastic as the stress fractures are prevalent everywhere...just not a good application...I purchased some gears for my lathe along with a spindle lock...both are made of different materials from the mounts and each other...and they're indestructible...if I only knew...

and speaking of not knowing, when I pulled the mount, it was nutted so tight, I had to remove the threaded shaft and put it in the vise to remove....when I was putting it back together, it wouldn't screw back into the nut...well apparently in CNC, you have a ground threaded shaft and a ball nut that creates zero backlash...it's basically a 4" threaded 2 pc nut lined with bbs that all fell during unscrewing... I had to dismantle my setup and remove the bed to gain access...I'm now in the process of cleaning and learning how to reassemble and back on the threaded rod...what a clusterf*uck this has turned out to be....if I can't get it, I may have to purchase a replacement ball nut from china or Japan...  
 
 

ROG62 » 25 Feb 2024, 8:40 pm » wrote: ↑

25 Feb 2024, 8:40 pm

Yes, the guy who built it made them on a 3D printer. I think he used the wrong plastic as the stress fractures are prevalent everywhere...just not a good application...I purchased some gears for my lathe along with a spindle lock...both are made of different materials from the mounts and each other...and they're indestructible...if I only knew...

and speaking of not knowing, when I pulled the mount, it was nutted so tight, I had to remove the threaded shaft and put it in the vise to remove....when I was putting it back together, it wouldn't screw back into the nut...well apparently in CNC, you have a ground threaded shaft and a ball nut that creates zero backlash...it's basically a 4" threaded 2 pc nut lined with bbs that all fell during unscrewing... I had to dismantle my setup and remove the bed to gain access...I'm now in the process of cleaning and learning how to reassemble and back on the threaded rod...what a clusterf*uck this has turned out to be....if I can't get it, I may have to purchase a replacement ball nut from china or Japan...

So, you're running your mill with CNC?  I'm not going there yet, Hoss. I just want to get a mill that I can manually operate.  Like a 3-axis rigid-but-powerful dremmel. 

Are you making those mounts out of Aluminum?
 

Skans » 26 Feb 2024, 11:01 am » wrote: ↑

26 Feb 2024, 11:01 am

So, you're running your mill with CNC?  I'm not going there yet, Hoss. I just want to get a mill that I can manually operate.  Like a 3-axis rigid-but-powerful dremmel. 

Are you making those mounts out of Aluminum?

I'm so virginesque with CNC, it's not even funny...for now (if I get it back together) I'm going to use it as a DRO. Coding is fairly simple for simple movement. I purchased some speeds and feeds calculation software for tooling, material, etc to guide me in milling. Works for the lathe as well...so bonus...

I purchased 2-3.5 SQ x 5 pieces of 6061 aluminum. Will get the shaft hole put in as it's offset in the piece and turn the bulk of the mount down along with drilling / boring the shaft hole. Then over to the mill and do the bolt holes after I run a practice plate to ensure accuracy. Then hand tap the holes where the motor attaches...only to do it again...lol
 

ROG62 » 26 Feb 2024, 12:01 pm » wrote: ↑

26 Feb 2024, 12:01 pm

I'm so virginesque with CNC, it's not even funny...for now (if I get it back together) I'm going to use it as a DRO. Coding is fairly simple for simple movement. I purchased some speeds and feeds calculation software for tooling, material, etc to guide me in milling. Works for the lathe as well...so bonus...

I purchased 2-3.5 SQ x 5 pieces of 6061 aluminum. Will get the shaft hole put in as it's offset in the piece and turn the bulk of the mount down along with drilling / boring the shaft hole. Then over to the mill and do the bolt holes after I run a practice plate to ensure accuracy. Then hand tap the holes where the motor attaches...only to do it again...lol

Sounds like a good project.  Would really like to see the results when you're done!
 

Skans » 26 Feb 2024, 12:32 pm » wrote: ↑

26 Feb 2024, 12:32 pm

Sounds like a good project.  Would really like to see the results when you're done!

Yes it does...I do like a good challenge...I just hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the arse...like I said...


 
 

Skans » 26 Feb 2024, 12:32 pm » wrote: ↑

26 Feb 2024, 12:32 pm

Sounds like a good project.  Would really like to see the results when you're done!

Well, after a lot of YouTubing and webpaging, I got my ballscrew ballnut bearing assembly back together.... I feels a whole lot betta now...now I just gotta put the bed back on along with some testing and I should be back in business only to take it apart again for new mounts...


 
if you want to see what I look like, you can look up masochist or ******* in the dictionary and my pic will be posted...  

ROG62 » 02 Mar 2024, 3:28 pm » wrote: ↑

02 Mar 2024, 3:28 pm

Well, after a lot of YouTubing and webpaging, I got my ballscrew ballnut bearing assembly back together.... I feels a whole lot betta now...now I just gotta put the bed back on along with some testing and I should be back in business only to take it apart again for new mounts...


 
if you want to see what I look like, you can look up masochist or ******* in the dictionary and my pic will be posted...

Nice!  I just want to manually make small, simple parts out of the gate.  Nothing too complex.  Taking the machine apart - I really am not going to want to go there.

Right now, I'm working on turning an old cabinet that we removed while doing a renovation to our kitchen into a future milling machine stand. When we removed it, I realized that someone used 3/4" plywood to make the thing.  It's rock solid all the way through.  So, I'm putting a heavy wood top on it.  Will need to get it flat and level. Just getting prepared...

Skans » 02 Mar 2024, 3:50 pm » wrote: ↑

02 Mar 2024, 3:50 pm

Nice!  I just want to manually make small, simple parts out of the gate.  Nothing too complex.  Taking the machine apart - I really am not going to want to go there.

Right now, I'm working on turning an old cabinet that we removed while doing a renovation to our kitchen into a future milling machine stand. When we removed it, I realized that someone used 3/4" plywood to make the thing.  It's rock solid all the way through.  So, I'm putting a heavy wood top on it.  Will need to get it flat and level. Just getting prepared...

Oh wow, that should work great...our house had an open kitchen, so 2 banks of cabinets were finished in the back as there was no wall and they hung from ceiling boxes...solid 3/4" all around...great for repurposing...

as far as the "taking apart the machine" goes? not my first choice...but hey, I'm a lot better off now as while I'm still dangerous, at least I'm armed....lol
 

Skans » 13 Feb 2024, 8:57 am » wrote: ↑

13 Feb 2024, 8:57 am

I need to make some small parts that are made out of stamped steel sheet metal, approximately 20 gauge steel. These small parts have slight bends in them.  Part sizes can range from about 2" x  .5" or so.

I was thinking of using something like one of these metal benders


or


These are small parts and I have no experience with either of these tools.  First question is would either of these actually work to put precise bends in small, flat metal parts?  If so, which would work best, or is there another alternative?  I could probably make the parts using a benchtop milling machine, but I don't have one of those....yet.  And, these tools are a lot less expensive.  Any suggestions?

Hey, do you have a link for the top bender? Started looking and am interested... I ran across this one, albeit a bit simpler...

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-press ... hment.html
 

Skans » 13 Feb 2024, 8:57 am » wrote: ↑

13 Feb 2024, 8:57 am

I need to make some small parts that are made out of stamped steel sheet metal, approximately 20 gauge steel. These small parts have slight bends in them.  Part sizes can range from about 2" x  .5" or so.

I was thinking of using something like one of these metal benders


or


These are small parts and I have no experience with either of these tools.  First question is would either of these actually work to put precise bends in small, flat metal parts?  If so, which would work best, or is there another alternative?  I could probably make the parts using a benchtop milling machine, but I don't have one of those....yet.  And, these tools are a lot less expensive.  Any suggestions?

Here's another style to round out variety of materials....

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-3-in- ... -roll.html
 
watch the video as they have a 12" as well as the 30" that's featured....

ROG62 » 14 Mar 2024, 4:17 pm » wrote: ↑

14 Mar 2024, 4:17 pm

Hey, do you have a link for the top bender? Started looking and am interested... I ran across this one, albeit a bit simpler...

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-press ... hment.html

I've been looking at them on Ebay and Aliexpress.  So far, I have identified 3 different benders that I'm interested in - the UBA-100 (or 100A), the Mini-Universal Bender, and the SBG-40.

This is the VEVOR UBA-100



There are different manufactures of each of these machines.

The SBG-40 range in price from about $160 - $330.  I really like the looks of the one made by KAKA - seems to be more precise than the generic ones.

The following is the Mini-Universal Bender, 6th generation all stainless - on Aliepress for about $285



The Mini Universal Bender is a tricky.  I consider the above stainless one the "best of class" so far.  It's called a "6th generation" made out of all stainless steel. 
Supposedly what's better about it is mainly the precision of the machine and machining of the "block" (thing with the round stock going through it) as one solid piece.  The blued steel version of this which is identical is about $80 less.  Then, you jump down to to older versions which have a plate screwed onto the block - just not as precise looking as this one.  But, who really knows until you get it!!!

Here's a cheap version of the above which you can get for about $45




I'm still thinking this through.  I'm leaning toward the stainless steel mini-bender.  But, I just watched a video on the UBA-100, and it really works quite well, especially for thicker gauge metal.  Mostly what I'd be using this for is precision bending, so I want the one that can make the tightest bends on small-sized flat stock.Also the Mini Bender takes up the smallest footprint on your bench.
 

Skans » 15 Mar 2024, 8:20 am » wrote: ↑

15 Mar 2024, 8:20 am

I've been looking at them on Ebay and Aliexpress.  So far, I have identified 3 different benders that I'm interested in - the UBA-100 (or 100A), the Mini-Universal Bender, and the SBG-40.

This is the VEVOR UBA-100



There are different manufactures of each of these machines.

The SBG-40 range in price from about $160 - $330.  I really like the looks of the one made by KAKA - seems to be more precise than the generic ones.

The following is the Mini-Universal Bender, 6th generation all stainless - on Aliepress for about $285



The Mini Universal Bender is a tricky.  I consider the above stainless one the "best of class" so far.  It's called a "6th generation" made out of all stainless steel. 
Supposedly what's better about it is mainly the precision of the machine and machining of the "block" (thing with the round stock going through it) as one solid piece.  The blued steel version of this which is identical is about $80 less.  Then, you jump down to to older versions which have a plate screwed onto the block - just not as precise looking as this one.  But, who really knows until you get it!!!

Here's a cheap version of the above which you can get for about $45




I'm still thinking this through.  I'm leaning toward the stainless steel mini-bender.  But, I just watched a video on the UBA-100, and it really works quite well, especially for thicker gauge metal.  Mostly what I'd be using this for is precision bending, so I want the one that can make the tightest bends on small-sized flat stock.Also the Mini Bender takes up the smallest footprint on your bench.

the UBA-100 has nice specs capacity wise.
the BGB-40 has better forming options, but less capacity...AAACK!!! if only there's a larger version...
the mini bender on aliexpress is hailed as a wire bender...


 

ROG62 » 15 Mar 2024, 9:21 am » wrote: ↑

15 Mar 2024, 9:21 am

the UBA-100 has nice specs capacity wise.
the BGB-40 has better forming options, but less capacity...AAACK!!! if only there's a larger version...
the mini bender on aliexpress is hailed as a wire bender...

So, are you looking for something that can handle larger, heavier stock?  I watched a video of someone bending stuff with a cheap UBA-100 - surprisingly good, actually. 

I am looking for something to make small, precise bends.  Some of the cheaper Mini-Benders have problems with tolerances, and one needed a custom washer made to perform correctly.  I do like the scroll former on the KAKA bender.  I may try to find some videos on that one specifically. So far, still leaning toward the Mini-Bender.
 

Skans » 15 Mar 2024, 10:07 am » wrote: ↑

15 Mar 2024, 10:07 am

So, are you looking for something that can handle larger, heavier stock?  I watched a video of someone bending stuff with a cheap UBA-100 - surprisingly good, actually. 

I am looking for something to make small, precise bends.  Some of the cheaper Mini-Benders have problems with tolerances, and one needed a custom washer made to perform correctly.  I do like the scroll former on the KAKA bender.  I may try to find some videos on that one specifically. So far, still leaning toward the Mini-Bender.

I am looking for some versatility as it's always possible to go lighter, but never heavier...
 
the UBA-100 looks to be a good unit supporting heavier materials...just wish it had the scrolling capabilities of the KaKa...