CNC lathe

Murray Tucker

Just a Padawan
Silver Member
My new lathe almost done. Dry runs look good but I want to make some saw dust!

cnc1.jpg

cnc2.jpg

cnc3.jpg
 
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Nice looking beast!

Murray,

That is a nice looking machine you have put together. I do know what you mean. After a lot of time and work is put into something the real crunch time comes when you go to put it to work. Will it work as expected? Will "Murphy" bite ya in the butt with something totally unexpected? Looks like you are in good shape though.

Now I wanna see some shafts!

Hu
 
Murray,

Looks very nice indeed!

Have you considered adding the Z axis to it? Looks like it would not take much.

I also have a similar machine. Actually, I have 3 of them. I added the Z on one so that I can use it as a mill also. It makes very nice inlays.

I also see that you are using a stepper to drive your lathe spindle. Are you planning to use Mach2 or Mach3 to run it? Mach is the only DIY type of software I have found that will output a pulse stream to do this.

Also, what are you using for a spindle? I use Porter Cable trim routers, but I would like to find something more quiet. When you have 3 or 4 going all day it can make some noise.

Anyway, Congrats on a very nice looking and well made machine. I am sure it will serve you well.

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
RBC said:
Murray,

Looks very nice indeed!

Have you considered adding the Z axis to it? Looks like it would not take much.

No. This will be a lathe only. I have a dedicated machine for inlays.


RBC said:
I also see that you are using a stepper to drive your lathe spindle. Are you planning to use Mach2 or Mach3 to run it? Mach is the only DIY type of software I have found that will output a pulse stream to do this.

Mach 3 turn is what I will be running. I played with a few others but ended up going back. I will also cut v points with this machine so the stepper will double as a electronic index head.

RBC said:
Also, what are you using for a spindle? I use Porter Cable trim routers, but I would like to find something more quiet. When you have 3 or 4 going all day it can make some noise.

It is a high frequency precision spindle similar to a Perske or Colombo. Plan on spending about 3000.00 to get one going. It is a bit more quiet than a router and MUCH more accurate.


RBC said:
Anyway, Congrats on a very nice looking and well made machine. I am sure it will serve you well.

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com

Thank you
 
Murray,
:eek:
I hate you!
:D

P.S. IF, you were to build another one of these, how many organs would i have to sell on the black market?
 
Jon said:
Murray,
:eek:
I hate you!
:D

P.S. IF, you were to build another one of these, how many organs would i have to sell on the black market?
Get the ninja suits ready.
We're heading out to Florida.:eek: :D
 
If you are driving from SoCal, i'll be long gone before you get out of state! :p :D
 
Nice machine Murray, it looks plenty solid. Are those commercial linear-motion rails and bearings ? It looks like the main bedways are dovetailed, but the carriage slides are not that clear to my old eyes. It must have been fun aligning the multiple ways on the deck. Beautiful work.

If you are ever interested in yet another hobby/adventure (ya right eh), some of the components could be cast from aluminum quite easily, saving some pieces/machining and possibly gaining some rigidity (though your machine certainly does look rigid).

Dave
 
Murray Tucker said:
All of them.
Well, I'm sure i can live on one lung, half my liver, one kidney and I'll even sell one testicle. :eek:
Deal? :D
Do you have any more pictures of this bad boy? :)
 
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DaveK said:
Nice machine Murray, it looks plenty solid. Are those commercial linear-motion rails and bearings ? It looks like the main bedways are dovetailed, but the carriage slides are not that clear to my old eyes. It must have been fun aligning the multiple ways on the deck. Beautiful work.

Thank you. The bearings and rails are IKO. Alignment was no problem. All the parts were made in my CNC mill. If you look closely you will see the rails are in pockets. I made them a tap in fit. Everything was drilled, taped and countersunk in the CNC machine so it was self aligning.


DaveK said:
If you are ever interested in yet another hobby/adventure (ya right eh), some of the components could be cast from aluminum quite easily, saving some pieces/machining and possibly gaining some rigidity (though your machine certainly does look rigid).

Dave

This is a one off piece. I have no intention of building anymore of them. Yes it is plenty ridgid. 3/4" 6061 aluminum construction. It is all two people can do to move it.
 
Jon said:
and I'll even sell one testicle. :eek:

Gross

Jon said:
Do you have any more pictures of this bad boy? :)

My liability insurance agent would have my testicles if I even THOUGHT about selling one of these things. :eek:

I'll do some more pictures in a few days. I'm trying to find some free time to finish wiring the control box.
 
Murray Tucker said:
Thank you. The bearings and rails are IKO. Alignment was no problem. All the parts were made in my CNC mill. If you look closely you will see the rails are in pockets. I made them a tap in fit. Everything was drilled, taped and countersunk in the CNC machine so it was self aligning.

That's a good method (and a large CNC mill, you'd need 36" - 40" X travel) ! Thanks for sharing Murray.

Dave
 
Murray Tucker said:
My liability insurance agent would have my testicles if I even THOUGHT about selling one of these things. :eek:

.

Well then, Free
Only if you insist.
 
Murray Tucker said:
My new lathe almost done. Dry runs look good but I want to make some saw dust!
Does this mean that the hiatus will be coming to an end soon? :cool:
If you are going to be starting a list, please put me on it. :)

Tracy
 
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