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+--- Thread: Mill/Drill Way Guards (/thread-3604.html)
Mill/Drill Way Guards - Hawkeye - 06-25-2017
About two years ago, I got a new RF-30 mill/drill to replace the 25 that got all rusted up in my house fire. The rubber way guard behind the table already has a couple of holes and a slit that runs almost all the way across.
[attachment=14564]
I had been wondering if the belt from a treadmill could be used to replace it. This weekend, I gave it a try. It seems flexible enough to fold up as you move the table back.
[attachment=14565]
[attachment=14566]
While I was at it, I made a table cover to help with clean-up.
[attachment=14567]
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - Mike E. - 06-26-2017
Nice !
You might consider taking a scrap of the material and give it a burn test though, just to check how flammable it is ?
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - stevec - 06-26-2017
Looks like my mill drill Mike. I, however, haven't used the way guard since it gave up the ghost many years ago.
Looking at the extension (?) at the right hand side of the table, is that for your power feed?
I made one for the left hand side of my table, could we get a pic of yours?
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - Hawkeye - 06-26-2017
The problem with a lot of eBay listings is that they don't say what machine a drive will fit. When mine had arrived, I could see that it wasn't for my machine. If I mounted the drive at the end of the table, I would lose about 7" of travel. No sweat. I have a machine shop.
The story is found at: http://www.metalworkingfun.com/showthread.php?tid=3446
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - Hawkeye - 06-26-2017
(06-26-2017, 04:22 AM)Mike E. Wrote: Nice !
You might consider taking a scrap of the material and give it a burn test though, just to check how flammable it is ?
Good idea. I took a piece of .035" Mig wire and heated it up to bright orange. On contact with the surface of the belt, it smoked like crazy and melted into the surface, but no flame. The next heat was more like you'd expect from a chip - just up to a black. It melted in a bit, but again, no flames. I think it will work well enough. Pretty sure it will resist holes better than the original.
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - Pete O - 06-27-2017
Great idea- I'll have to keep an eye on the kerbside rubbish collection piles, there's usually a treadmill or two and it would only take a few seconds to relieve one of it's belt. I'd like to put way covers on my U2.
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - misterfxt - 06-27-2017
Supermarket conveyor belts work pretty good too if the store is having the point of sale equipment serviced or changed or whatever and the service guys are going to throw it out, usually. There are a couple different kinds of belts. The kind I got were kind of a rubberized canvas. Well worn but they worked for my needs.
I asked at the store and they had a whole pile of em in the back, I guess the manager couldn't just throw them out. A man after my own heart.He was happy to give them to someone who would use them for something.
Jerome
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - the penguin - 06-28-2017
I have made a few for my machines, one of our customers, install rubber roofing, so I get huge chunks of 1/8" and 3/16", very flexible rubber sheeting.
RE: Mill/Drill Way Guards - Roadracer_Al - 06-30-2017
All my mats in 2 of my tool chests are from supermarket belt. Great stuff. Cuts easy, lasts forever.