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ZipSnipe · Veteran Member

While I was doing an air gun project, I used my homemade milling machine I made several years ago.

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Ran into some problems and decided to do a major over haul and one of the things I would love to do is add a bigger table which would give me about 24" in the x axis(currently have 12").

Lo and behold I find a table at http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3845&category=1687114045
its 1/4 inch wider than mine which means I need a Bridgeport milling machine to mill off the dovetails to the right size. Well my boss at my old Tool and die job said I could use the machines there.

But now my overhaul budget has shrunk and its killing me, becuz I have free access to a Bridgeport and while I could swing the money for the table I will not be able to buy the DRO that I soo desperately want also.

I want to cry.......[/img]

ZipSnipe · Veteran Member

Well I have been a busy bee working on the mill and my lathe. Trying to get the precision of both tools a lil more in spec.

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This is the new spindle, which will go into this chunk of steel

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And I got the digital readouts installed, this was a major undertaking, alot of work and planning

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I also finished the new acetal nuts for the table and now have zero backlash(no looseness).
So I need to finish the quill which its self is no easy task as it is being designed as I go. I mean I drew it out first but as I go, I see where things can be made better.

Well more to come, happy shooting all !!!!!

robert w · Senior Member

i have faith in you. you can do it ,or a larry says "getter done" . when your done you can do a better job easier . looks good to me sir

ZipSnipe · Veteran Member

Thanx Robert,

Got the quill and drive shaft done, I am now starting work on probably the hardest piece which will be the drive pulley with its 4 internal slots that have to match the driveshaft perfectly. I will be using my lathe to broach the slots(first time trying that)

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Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

I don’t now if it will be any help but when I need to broach a tube, I machine the tube to the dia of the slot height and mill the slot in the tube, I then machine a sleeve that fits over the tube and fit the inner and outer tube together with counter sunk screws.

This gives me a neat slot and saves a lot of hassle. Nice project thought Zip keep up the good work.

Al

ZipSnipe · Veteran Member

Thanx Al, I am trying to picture what your saying?

I am doing a pulley so the broaching will be internal.

My plan was to machine to the size that it just fits over the driveshaft. I was then going to Dykem the pulley and place the driveshaft on top and scribe out where it needs to be broached. The splines on the driveshaft are not perfectly spaced . Then I was going to unplug the lathe and just use the carriage as my broaching machine a slow process but doable.

And of coarse there will probably be a lot of hand filing and stoning to get the fit right.