Milling machine X axis powerfeed

[vance]

I got a MicroMark MicroLux mini mill to replace my HF mill. When I got it, an X axis powerfeed was included. (The X axis is the right to left motion, the Y axis is front to back, and the Z axis is up and down.)

The kit comes with the powerfeed adapter/motor/power supply/AND a switch that automatically kills the motor when travel gets to the limits, both ways.

The switch installation takes a tremendous amount of disassembly of the mill and the subsequent reassembly after some holes are drilled and tapped.

This makes no sense to me. I have made singlepoint threads with autofeed on a lathe for years. You have to pay attention (switch off w/in a fraction) to avoid the crash that can happen if you don't!

Why is this different? I'm never walking away from the machine while the auto feed is running. And, the auto-kill isn't precise by any means. It stops the feed w/in a half inch or so. If it was precise, it might be useful.

I also realized that I won't be able to mount digital readout scales if the limit stops are on the x-axis table  I'm mounting my autofeed without the limit switch. 

I will post photos soon.

[vance]

It's installed. I used it to remove the "apprentice marks" from, and level the very rough machining on the top of a crappy vise I got with some other bits. Autofeed is absolutely useable without the stops.

This is the power unit mounted to the end of the X axis. The toggle switch is forward/reverse, the knob near the toggle is speed control, and the knob on the right is the clutch.

PXL_20240416_220012140 by Vancetp, on Flickr

This is the vise I resurfaced, using the powerfeed. I was very impressed with the mills ability to cut the cast iron and steel jaw plates.

vise by Vancetp, on Flickr

[SeaRat]

‘Glad to see the photos. I have not ever seen one of these machines before.

John

[vance]

I'll post a few more photos of the mill and how it works. It is very versatile and can make a lot of cool things.

[nikeajax]

Apr 17, 2024 18:19:50 GMT -8 vance said:

I'll post a few more photos of the mill and how it works. It is very versatile and can make a lot of cool things.

No doubt Glad you're keeping busy with fun/exciting things.

I've been converting a KitchenAid mixer from the 1970's to solid state: the 180-ohm resistor is made out of unobtainium, and I just got it working again-WHEW!


JB

[SeaRat]

“Unobtainium,” I haven’t seen that one in a while!

John

[vance]

A lathe makes round objects. The chuck holds a piece of stock so it can be turned via a cutting tool. 3 jaw chucks hold round or other stock that can be gripped and spin in center with 3 jaws. Square parts can't be held this way in a 3 jaw chuck, but hex parts can.

An independent 4 jaw chuck (each jaw can be adjusted independently) can hold any part so the required center can be found.

A 4 jaw self centering chuck can hold a square part and other variations w/o having to fiddle with adjustments.

You can drill holes, make bores, thread inside and outside, and make inside and outside threads with a tap or die on the lathe.

The mill makes it possible to do horizontal cuts, both right and left and front and back, and up and down. The mill works in 3 axes. You can drill and thread with a mill, using dies and taps, like a on a drillpress.

[vance]

I have been wanting to make a post here to demonstrate how a second stage body is made on the lathe and mill.

I need to make a new second stage cap, seat, and tube for the center drilled Dacor 400/800 bodies, so it's perfect as a demonstration.

Photos to follow.

[nikeajax]

Phil, thanks for educating us, I always like learning new things

At our last house we/I inherited a belt driven milling machine 1950/60's, but I never learned how to use it: it was unruly probably 80-lbs.

JB

[vance]

Wow. Where is it now?

[nikeajax]

I gave it away, we were moving and I just needed it to be gone.

JB