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+--- Thread: [HELP] Fixing an old mini milling machine (/thread-2505.html)
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - kkoch986 - 02-07-2015
Thanks so much! I'm totally new to milling so ill be watching a lot of youtube videos and reading up on a lot of stuff. In the meantime i could buy something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-32-5-8-3JT-PRO-SERIES-KEYLESS-DRILL-CHUCK-JT3-3MT-TAPER-ARBOR-MT3-CNC-/121520011879 and it would basically attach the same way i got the old one off correct?
From what i could tell that would only really allow me to do drilling type operations but it would be a good start :-)
Any recommendations for good beginner projects?
- Ken
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - DaveH - 02-07-2015
Hi Ken (got it right this time
)Glad it came out
Looks overall a nice mill, so long as you use it within it's capabilities it will give you good service.
It may need a bit of a clean up - the spindle bearing may need to be replaced, there again they may be fine.
Just because it was made in China does not mean it was designed in China.
DaveH
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - Sunset Machine - 02-07-2015
The usual beginner project is making t-nuts for the mill. Make a few (six or so) and then a couple that are cut at a 45 so they can be dropped in from above. Make them fit the slots well, just a few thous clearance, quite a bit more at the top and bottom if you use cutting oil in a flood (for drainage). It's not a bad idea to tap the holes short; the notion is to keep you from running a bolt to the bottom of the slot and jacking a chunk of the table out.
Another popular project is making a flycutter. It's a finishing tool that you can sharpen on a regular bench grinder. Not too big- it will chatter. You might look at your lowest speed to guesstimate the largest size. 400/lo-rpm=max dia for steel.
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - Sunset Machine - 02-07-2015
I just noticed the nameplate- Spindle Speed: 0-1100. Nevermind the math- it says 1-1/8 face mill. It should twist a 1" flycutter just fine.
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - kkoch986 - 02-09-2015
Thanks so much everyone, I'll report back after I get through some stuff!
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - kkoch986 - 04-14-2015
Hey everyone,
I hate to say it but after a decent amount of time trying to find a replacement for that part, i still have failed.
I managed to find JT3/MT3 arbor and chuck, the first one i ordered didn't have an opening on one side for a draw bar. The second had an opening for a drawbar but it was not the same thread size and the draw bar would not fit into it.
I went down to a local tool supply and they seemed pretty surprised by it told me they didn't think they had what i needed.
I noticed in here there was a diagram of it (http://www.micromark.com/html_pages/instructions/82573i/82573-milling-machine-inst.pdf) since i believe that to be the manual i was hoping it would be the right one.
The picture is pretty poor quality but I was wondering if anyone who might know what to look for could point me towards the correct part?
thanks! if milling is half as hard as finding this part, getting a little worried
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - DaveH - 04-14-2015
Ken,
What size thread is your draw bar?
It is always possible to make another draw bar with a thread that suits the tooling.
DaveH
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - kkoch986 - 04-14-2015
not sure exactly how to measure it, ill try to figure it out asap and write back thanks!
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - dallen - 04-14-2015
take the one with the threaded end for a draw bar to the hardware store and find a bolt that will thread into it, that's long enough to work as a drawbar.
RE: Fixing an old mini milling machine - schor - 04-14-2015
(04-14-2015, 12:49 PM)kkoch986 Wrote: not sure exactly how to measure it, ill try to figure it out asap and write back thanks!
Probably a metric thread. Measure the diameter of the drawbar.