I have to go along with Michael's opinion. If staying with the X2 I'd go with the LMS non tilt column conversion, and maybe combo it with the somewhat larger table.
Going to a X3, or Super X3 might be the better way to get what you want.
Anthony
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On Thu, 11/12/15, 'Tom Kitta' tom@tomkitta.com [GrizHFMinimill] <GrizHFMinimill@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Subject: [GrizHFMinimill] Opinions about mini-mill mod
To: GrizHFMinimill@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015, 3:32 PM
Hello group,
I am interested in group's opinion regarding
following mod I am planning for my mini mill. The deluxue
model I have with brush-less motor has the standard super
flexible column. The goal of the conversion is to
significantly stiffen both the column and the base in order
to take full advantage of the power offered by the motor. I
also will increase the Z-travel by about 5 inches and enable
the mill to have 4'' inch Kurt style vise without
sacrificing any y travel.
To stiffen the base I plan to use 2'' by
0.5'' steel bars, welded together for 2x1 bar in a
rectangle formation under the current base. The steel frame
will also have "paws" extending to the sides to
widen the base of the mill & these will be clamped to
the bench (rather beefy one weights few hundred #). The box
will extend in the back to accommodate new solid column. The
old base will be attached to the new one via 4 mounting
screws.
The new column will be made of 6'' by
4'' C steel that is around 3/8'' thick. If
it flexes too much I plan on adding some ribs at the back (I
don't think adding ribs to the front to make a double C
will be necessary). The C column will connect to the above
mentioned base with 2 screws via welded "paws"
& via 3 screws to the existing base via existing 3-screw
setup. The old column will be connected to the C via 6
screws and will "float" above the base. I can shim
the 5 screws to tram the mill.
The milling head, weighting about 30# can be supported
via counter weight at the back of the C. The electronics of
the mill, currently at the back of the column can be moved
to the back of the C or side of the C column.
Similar mods were done by others with great success - I
just modified the materials to fit what I have available
locally - I am in the middle of Canada in Calgary & thus
I cannot buy much locally.
I just want to make the mini-mill as useful of a tool
as my 12x24 lathe ... so glad I got that vs. the
mini-lathe.
More or less I want the limiting factor to be
brush-less motor power & the mill head ...
Ideas for improvement? Comments?
Tom
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Posted by: a rien <amriensr@yahoo.com>
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