07-28-2012, 08:47 AM
Steve
Would a steel column possibly vibrate. Its going to be beter than a broken mill but its hard to beat the dampening qualities of cast iron. But at the same time lots more steel would give the same effect.
Does the column have to be dovetailed? They're not easy to machine in large sizes. Could you make something similar to a lathe bed or use an old lathe bed and tailstock. Mount the milling head to the base of the tailstock and stand it on end. Release the clamp move the head and re clamp. The prismatic ways should re align the head. Movement could be with a simple acme screw.
Would a steel column possibly vibrate. Its going to be beter than a broken mill but its hard to beat the dampening qualities of cast iron. But at the same time lots more steel would give the same effect.
Does the column have to be dovetailed? They're not easy to machine in large sizes. Could you make something similar to a lathe bed or use an old lathe bed and tailstock. Mount the milling head to the base of the tailstock and stand it on end. Release the clamp move the head and re clamp. The prismatic ways should re align the head. Movement could be with a simple acme screw.
Free advice is worth exactly what you payed for it.
Greg
Greg