Build Thread - Chevalier 2040 CNC Bed Mill

[Coolidge62]

For the small number of holes I'll tap a year I could throw a tapping head on and go to town with the pull arm.

[Coolidge62]

super nice to see the quality rebuilding and upgrading going on here in this thread.

we threadmill everything down to 3/8" anymore.

Thanks Keith, say quick question. Will your encoder kits work for my Black Max 5hp inverter, as the encoder for spindle speed, rigid tapping etc.? I'm assuming so as it's rated for 8k rpm (my spindle will be max 5,400). I'll have to make a shaft adapter since the Black Max behemoth has a 5/8 diameter encoder shaft but that's no problem on my lathe.

Two more things, Centroid is 100% incredible I continue to be amazed at the information and DEPTH of pretty much everything CNC. My head was spinning looking at encoders at other vendors, then there it was right on Centroid the encoders and all the detailed info I'd need BOOM! Also your encouraging comments on my rebuild thread are much appreciated and motivating.

[Coolidge62]

The new front panel for the head arrived from Front Panel Express. I drilled and tapped the head front plate and got it installed. Since I had a lot of empty space to fill (previously occupied by the old Reeves type speed dial) I highlighted some of the top components used in the rebuild.

Bed mill show me your war face...AHHHHH this is my war face!

Also finally got the rust cleaned off the table. I'm removing it today to clean, paint, re-plumb oil lines, and install new bearings.

[Coolidge62]

I got the table removed, flipped over and safely at floor level on oak blocks phew! She's got some weight to her at 17x59 inches of cast iron.

This was a nice surprise. So far every crevice and cranny has been packed with chips, oil and gunk. Cleaning this has been a very unpleasant part of an otherwise fun project. Shockingly the inside of the saddle has almost nothing, huh! Odd because the base casting below it has at least 6 inches deep of aluminum chips piled up in there. But I'll take it. Most of the table and saddle is going to be prep, paint and waiting for paint to dry the mechanical will go real fast.

[richardb15]

I can't be the only one here wondering if you are going to clean and paint the red inside the bed every single thing in your workshop appears to be spotless clean, what a setup

[Coolidge62]

I can't be the only one here wondering if you are going to clean and paint the red inside the bed every single thing in your workshop appears to be spotless clean, what a setup

That's Taiwan primer red. I will at least put a coat of white primer over it because they put it on so thick there are shrinkage cracks from when it dried. Not sure yet if I'll top coat that with enamel. I could because I bought WAY too much enamel. Looking over this huge thing I ended up buying 3 gallons. I'm still only part way through the first gallon and that's putting 2-3 coats on things. This enamel is nothing like house wall paint it goes a long way.

I can't abide a filthy mess so yeah I keep the shop clean. I'm fine with making a mess, but machines get cleaned after each job.

[Coolidge62]

After 3 days of scrubbing, wire brushing, mopping 62 casting cubby holes with mineral spirits I primered the heck out of the underside of the table.

I also ordered a 2048 encoder rated for 8,000 RPM's from Centroid for the spindle motor. Once again Centroid for the win! I went shopping for an encoder, it was maddening. There's a zillion encoders out there. Marathon Motors makes an encoder to fit the Black Max spindle motor, right they start at like $1,500 wow, a puny encoder costing as much as the entire motor, whatever. The other automation sites, all the big electronics sites, none were rated higher than 6,000 rpms and all were labeled "light duty" whatever that means.

Frustrated I jumped on Centroids site and there it was, just what I needed, with documentation. I continue to be impressed AND recommend Centroid to others.

[Coolidge62]

Well this took 2 weeks ugh! Looking much better now though. The hard part is over. After the primer dries it's time for the gloss enamel then reassembly.

Yes someone went full ape shoveling out the chip pan and banged up the base pretty good.

[Coolidge62]

On the subject of retrofits and restorations, I ordered some Score EX CI (cast iron, they also sell aluminum and steel) from Devitt Machinery today to repair a few spots on the Y ways.

[cnckeith]

great thread!