First build. Old equipment + new technology= FUN???
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 1:41 am
Alright So this is my first post on the forum so to start with . Hello all... Here is my official build thread.
To start with I picked up an Acorn controller and a stepper motor kit so that I could use my old decrepit manual combo machine as a learning tool with the intention of eventually upgrading to a larger more capable machine in the future, at which time I will move the full CNC conversion from where it is now to its new home with a more proper ball screw conversion on the table. This probably wont happen until sometime next summer at the earliest, I am working on having the carport converted to a garage so that needs to get completed first before I add any more toys...
The current setup as it sits
The mill
Shoptask 1720, old and very worn out not really worth much as a mill, probably better as a boat anchor but being used as a learning tool so that when the new mill is purchased it will hopefully (but not likely) take less time for the conversion. the Ways on the bed are so worn out on the bed that when tightened to where there is little to no lateral play in the table it reduces the usable x movement from 17 inches to about 3. Directly under the mill head thankfully, outside of those 3 inches your arms have to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger from his prime days to turn the handle and get any movement out of it...
Drive hardware
An inexpensive stepper kit that is highly overpowered for the conversion in work but only because I am planning on this hardware going on a mill at least 3 times the size of what I have now. 1650Oz steppers, 60VDC power supplies and individual drivers. these are connected vie the way Shoptask originally set up their machines for CNC conversion using toothed belts and pulleys. I know this is not ideal but I do not want to spend the money on a ball screw conversion on this machine, If I do anything with this in the future I will more than likely mill the top off of the saddle and get an XY table to bolt onto it and eliminate the worn bed from the equation. all this of course being commanded by an acorn controller in a large PC case converted to house all of the electronics.
stepper kit was purchased from CNCMOTORIII on ebay
stepper motor model number 85BYGH450C-012B, these were suppose to be a dual shaft motor but those were sold out so I got the single shaft equivalent
stepper driver model number DQ860MA
each stepper/driver kit came with a 350W 60v power supply and a breakout board, the break out board is still in the box.
Still in work
I need to manufacture a drive belt tensioner system witch I think I have figured out I just need to manufacture the parts. and some of the other misc. components like limit/home switches and this monstrosity should be up and running.
Sorry for the lack of photos. I will get some uploaded and attached to the thread this weekend as soon as I have a chance. Until then have a great evening and see you all again soon.
Here is the link to the google photo album where I will try and dump all the photos in general, I will add links to specific photos to things that pertain specifically to a question or relative to a specific thread as I post them down below.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LtwH7kGTBfoSRLZH8
Mike
To start with I picked up an Acorn controller and a stepper motor kit so that I could use my old decrepit manual combo machine as a learning tool with the intention of eventually upgrading to a larger more capable machine in the future, at which time I will move the full CNC conversion from where it is now to its new home with a more proper ball screw conversion on the table. This probably wont happen until sometime next summer at the earliest, I am working on having the carport converted to a garage so that needs to get completed first before I add any more toys...
The current setup as it sits
The mill
Shoptask 1720, old and very worn out not really worth much as a mill, probably better as a boat anchor but being used as a learning tool so that when the new mill is purchased it will hopefully (but not likely) take less time for the conversion. the Ways on the bed are so worn out on the bed that when tightened to where there is little to no lateral play in the table it reduces the usable x movement from 17 inches to about 3. Directly under the mill head thankfully, outside of those 3 inches your arms have to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger from his prime days to turn the handle and get any movement out of it...
Drive hardware
An inexpensive stepper kit that is highly overpowered for the conversion in work but only because I am planning on this hardware going on a mill at least 3 times the size of what I have now. 1650Oz steppers, 60VDC power supplies and individual drivers. these are connected vie the way Shoptask originally set up their machines for CNC conversion using toothed belts and pulleys. I know this is not ideal but I do not want to spend the money on a ball screw conversion on this machine, If I do anything with this in the future I will more than likely mill the top off of the saddle and get an XY table to bolt onto it and eliminate the worn bed from the equation. all this of course being commanded by an acorn controller in a large PC case converted to house all of the electronics.
stepper kit was purchased from CNCMOTORIII on ebay
stepper motor model number 85BYGH450C-012B, these were suppose to be a dual shaft motor but those were sold out so I got the single shaft equivalent
stepper driver model number DQ860MA
each stepper/driver kit came with a 350W 60v power supply and a breakout board, the break out board is still in the box.
Still in work
I need to manufacture a drive belt tensioner system witch I think I have figured out I just need to manufacture the parts. and some of the other misc. components like limit/home switches and this monstrosity should be up and running.
Sorry for the lack of photos. I will get some uploaded and attached to the thread this weekend as soon as I have a chance. Until then have a great evening and see you all again soon.
Here is the link to the google photo album where I will try and dump all the photos in general, I will add links to specific photos to things that pertain specifically to a question or relative to a specific thread as I post them down below.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LtwH7kGTBfoSRLZH8
Mike