Link To Drawings: drive.google.c... A power lift and guide for the head of a round column mill. This fix will maintain horizontal alignment.
Пікірлер: 480
@billshiff20605 ай бұрын
I like it. You are getting the most possible out of your machines by using thought instead of money. A resource often MORE valuable than money.
@WinkysWorkshop5 ай бұрын
I now have a Well Index which is a very good mill but honestly the round column mill was fairly good in comparison.
@gerrymasterman57663 жыл бұрын
FWIW, when I had a Grizzly, I mounted a laser pointed on the headstock pointing to the opposite wall. I then made a plumb vertical line. The laser pointer was set on the plumb line at the start of every job. If I needed to move the head up or down to suit tool needs it was super easy to get back to zero
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
That works... I saw a youtube video where the guy did this
@danhayward91862 жыл бұрын
I use the very same system works great
@jimpritz41693 жыл бұрын
Brilliant solutions to everyday problems without the need for many thousands of dollars worth of machinery. Thank you for your common sense workshop ideas made with machines that many home work shops already own.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Yes, I'd say that most people that have a mill already have the other tools needed to do this.
@bishopzion25103 жыл бұрын
instablaster...
@dannmarks3 жыл бұрын
Really why would anyone do a dis - like. Mean spirited I guess. This is a great idea.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
It always surprises me that people dislike any video really. Honestly, 99.9% of the people that comment on my videos are fantastic - Thank you very much.
@domaves40433 жыл бұрын
Haters got hate. I just leave them to there sad lonely lives. Anyway sweet vid, great idea.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@domaves4043 = Yep... Thanks!
@totallyjonesin3 жыл бұрын
They're mad because they have no mill or skill.
@DudleyToolwright3 жыл бұрын
Very nice design. It's always interesting to see a moderately complex mechanical project undertaken and completed. Now you have a tool to keep your column in line and a power Z-feed.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Yes, thanks
@paulc.schiller93723 жыл бұрын
I use a mag-base laser level on the head, and pointed at a tiny silver spot on the far wall, to keep the head aligned when raising or lowering. I can keep it within a few arc minutes fairly easily.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I've seen that done and it;s a good approach. Very accurate.
@mfx13 жыл бұрын
mount a mirror (ideally surface silvered) on the far wall then you increase the accuracy even more and don't have to turn round to check. Random unrelated fact, years ago as a kid I visited a place that turned train wheel rims and they projected a shadow of the wheel rim onto the factory wall and there were marks on the wall to act as a gauge.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@mfx1 - Cool!
@dwightcarlson71363 жыл бұрын
that laser sounds like a great idea and maybe use in conjunction with the vertical bar as a check. My problem is that I have my Mill on casters. But maybe two lasers, one on column and one on the head and just need to keep them pointed so that they are aimed so that they maintain a consistent distance apart?
@TrudgeRC3 жыл бұрын
Take it from someone with 3/8" missing off their thumb - be very careful with fingers near chains. Made my heart skip a beat.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Fortunately, at least on a daily basis, my hand is on the trigger of the drill.
@aceroadholder21853 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop Buy plastic...make cover. Your fingers will thank you and Allan's thumb will thank you. Cheers from NC/USA
@YourOldDog3 жыл бұрын
I've watched a lot of machinist videos and for my money this is one of the most useful mods on this mill/drill as I've seen anywhere. The video work is also great. If I attempt to do this I'll try using 1" square stock instead of the roundstock to hold the head in index with the column I wouldn't be surprised but what your round stock is minutely flexing. Thanks for the project.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir! I agree, the bar could flex a little. I would have used 1" rather than 3/4" but the bore in my lathe is 7/8". I like round for one reason. The contact area is very small on the Delrin blocks. This allows for firm contact without much friction. Square would work well but setting the slide blocks might be touchy.
@YourOldDog3 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop I agree with the contact area being smaller on round stock. Rather then Delren I'll use some small bearing I have and pre-load them a tad. After that, it will be good enough for my backyard shop!! Thanks again for the great video....
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@YourOldDog , Yeah, some the the linear bearings have a preload adjust, that would be good.
@gjkozy3 жыл бұрын
Good approach to a problem, glad to see everything worked out without any major setbacks. Not only did you get repeatability you now have a power feed. Good job!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Very true! Thanks for the comment.
@5tr41ghtGuy3 жыл бұрын
This is a very clever solution, and with this knowledge I am a lot more likely to purchase a round-column mill should I happen on the right opportunity. Thanks for sharing!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Cool. thanks!
@rolandjollivet383 жыл бұрын
I seriously wouldn't. Rather get a chinese square column and mod it for smoother travel. Round column is a true curse
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@rolandjollivet38 - Now that I modified mine I like it but I tend to agree with you. I'd rather have a small knee mill. Hard to find
@5tr41ghtGuy3 жыл бұрын
@@rolandjollivet38 I get that. Right now I can't justify the expense of a decent mill, but if I could find one that wasn't worn out for a few hundred $$, I'd buy it.
@allthegearnoidea67523 жыл бұрын
I used to have the same milling machine as you. I had a £5 laser of the head of the machine and fired it across the garage onto the wall. I just had a vertical line drawn on the wall and put the laser dot back on the line if I had to raise or lower the head. Do to the length of the laser line any error is magnified so its easy to correct. Its an easy fix for the round column. Chris
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I saw a youtube video on that. Maybe not as fast but a very accurate way to keep things aligned.
@jeffl.oliverson6690 Жыл бұрын
Boy, you have spent a lot of time and money on that modification. Great job my friend. I just use a dial indicator with a magnetic base and It is dead nuts accurate every time. I think since round column mills have been around for 40+ years, the manufactures always had in mind a simple dial indicator for alignment was much cheaper and they did not have an inherent problem that a lot of people keep pushing with alignment of the head. Should not be an issue at all. Keep up the good work!
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
Time yes but I think it was less than $80 bucks with some surplus steel. It's mostly about speed and convenience. I love it. This may seem ridiculous but I'm thinking about a cam lock for lock down bolts for the head.
@jeffl.oliverson6690 Жыл бұрын
Now that I would like to see. Faster unlock and lock would be a plus👍
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
@@jeffl.oliverson6690 I'll be doing variation of what this guy did at some point. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jNOUhqWnztauoIU.html
@MattysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Gday, this it a brilliant fix to a frustrating problem, I’ve lost count at the amount of times I’ve screwed up and had to realign everything, pain in the ass, take care. Cheers Matty
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
It certainly is a pain. The power lift is nice too. I've had one on my drill press for a long time and love it. Thanks for watching!
@philcook99672 жыл бұрын
Ingenious solution, well executed! Adding a couple of micro switches would limit the upper and lower travel. Accuracy refers to a standard, precision refers to repeatability.
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Love the micro switch idea!
@KF-bj3ce3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your feedback. I do agree with you and did not intended to criticize your well, neatly and professional presented modification. And rightly so mankind has manufactured and created wonderful projects that are still standing and still operation today with lesser machines. No doubt what you have made will perform better and it is more than others may have attempted. It is clear to see that you have significant skills. So again sharing this and hopefully I can see a further video from you in the future. By the way I like your clean workshop.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
No worries, I didn't feel criticized, I basically agree with you. Thanks on the work shop. Aside from feeling a little crowded I love working in the shop. I've done woodworking all my life and always had some basic metal working tool but always had an interest in machine work. About 15 years ago I went from a job running a web offset printing press to being a troubleshooter/problem solver for the presses. That turned into learning some cad and designing a lot of machine improvements. After getting frustrated with the time it took to get our under manned machine shop to make parts for me I started accumulating my own machines. Now I'm retired... Now if I can imagine something I can usually build it... within reason of course. I remember telling my wife I was going to build a buckboard flyer. She said, are you a kid or what? I said, yeah, but now I have the tools time and to some degree the money make cool toys! If you haven't seen it you might like it. Check it out. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/orZ0qcJkmKm6ZKM.html
@KF-bj3ce3 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop Thanks for the kind reply, yes my wife thinks I am a kid as well and I do feel like a kid in the sweetshop when I am in my workshop. I am always happy to see the talent in our generation, and many young person could learn a lot by simply switching from gaming to the youtube channel like yours. I will check out the link you sent me. Kind Regards.
@howder19513 жыл бұрын
Excellent design Wink, I have been toying with the idea of a rod or bar and DTI to regain position when moving on the column. I have also been toying with a counterbalance to make cranking easier. You have addressed both ideas and executed the result with great success, I am looking forward to the plans when you draw them up. Good looking haircut and excellent finished project, cheers and thanks. PS, That wood based coordinate table for the press sure is working out well for you!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks you sir - The link to the plans are now posted. Yeah... love the drill press table! I assume you mean the X Y table. The drill press is way easier to use than the drill mill and almost as accurate.
@airgunsfreedom700ssp33 жыл бұрын
My friend has the same mill. I sent him a link because I think your idea is great. I agree with Allan below, a chain guard is a must.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Tell your friend to check back in a few days and I'll have a link to the drawings posted.
@kallibrand41063 жыл бұрын
I knew you were going to do something about your mill head at some point . Very nicely done ......and functional . Thanx for sharing .
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@HKRVenturesLLC3 жыл бұрын
Nice video and takes me back to my toolmaker days. The only thing I'd change would be to make the clamps a little sturdier side to side by triangulating the weld bases + increasing the vertical bar diameter and changing to a linear bushing instead of the delrin pad setup. The linear bushing could be mounted in a block with slotted adjustment in/out to tweak the alignment. It might help with repeatability.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I was going to go with the larger bar but my lathe bore is only 7/8" (to drill the ends). As for the delrin brackets. More rigid would probably be good but I think the pads work better. The amount of surface area is small so they can be tight against the bar without a lot of friction. There is some flexing but zero slop. The movement on the indicator is due to the the column clamp being loose while you move the head. Thanks!
@benkeller32 жыл бұрын
I continue to find your videos informative and fun to watch . Thanks for making them!
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Ben and your welcome.
@dizzolve Жыл бұрын
11:39 I plan to do something like this. I have a JET mill but the castings look identical to your RF30. Thanks for providing the materials list and drawings!
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
No problem 👍
@jackpestaner69252 жыл бұрын
excellent video and design. I have the same mill (circa 1998 made in Taiwan) and have been looking at different solutions, and i think yours is best. I dont have welding setup, but should be able to do in aluminum and socket head cap screws. BTW, love your "pre-OSHA" shop!
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Pre-OSHA? Funny. I have a lot of open belts and gears. If I had a employee I would probably look at things a little different. Adding the guide bar and lift on my mill was a lot of work but very worthwhile!
@TomokosEnterprize2 жыл бұрын
I will start with the seasons best to you and yours this holiday season my friend. Any time I see that little mill/drill I want one for myself. It has served you well as far as I can see and any tinkering you have had to do on it has been fairly minor. Yup on the 1/2 link or a plastic (UHMW ?) lined tensioner that wraps around a section of pipe just long enough for the chain to get the "climb" out of the chain. I used to adapt chains like this to multiple rollers in cedar sawmills that the bark would climb up on the sprockets so much it would break chains or bearing housings. Nasty problem easily fixed eh. It is always a nice visit to come and share what you have for us my friend. Good old no nonsense free problem or a go to machining for a cause. I just plain enjoy your posts my friend. Love that textured spray can paint my friend. It covers more bo-bo's than flat black and a grinder eh, LOL. eh, LOL. What a great addon to this for that piece of equip bud. There is always something to do to max the usability's to serve us. One machine to better the other. Not quite sure will be the end result of that remark will take us eh. Good seasons wishes to you and yours Winky. Onward eh ! Of course if you are bored you can wire in a couple proximity sensors that will take care of travels but yer a pretty sharp fella as it is eh, LOL.
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the compliment!
@billybike57 Жыл бұрын
Always enjoy your videos!
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
Thanks you!
@YourOldDog3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to do the video and drawings. Great project and great execution all away around.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir. I wish the plans would work for all version of this mill but at least it provides a starting point.
@TheWrate3 жыл бұрын
Very well done Mark! Looks like I have a new (another?) winter project! Thanks for the drawings!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Your welcome. I love the power lift but check this out. www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/rf-30-clone-head-alignment-guide.84270/?fbclid=IwAR1IwD-s0KsZkKLHibNvD8dTI29B4nLtVADGwlp-uJfb0M9_v3zpz_JEY2s
@TheWrate3 жыл бұрын
Winky's Workshop Indeed. I’m the first comment after the original post.
@rayfalcone68973 жыл бұрын
hello Mark,nice job on the mill,enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing with us.i did something simular to mine what i did was drill and tapped the rack and tube and made a gib to fill the very tiny space in between the clamp and tube. it works just fine.see you next time. stay safe. my friend.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I tried do that and my rack flexed a lot! I had mine attached at the top and bottom and it didn't work at all. How many places did you attach it to the column?
@mohabatkhanmalak11613 жыл бұрын
I like how you modified the table to power drive. About the travel, perhaps fit off switches at the top of max travel and at the bottom of max travel. The switches will stop the drive motor and so stop the quill. Thanks for sharing.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Cool idea!
@scottthornton92373 жыл бұрын
Nice idea! I have had my head stuck on using threaded rod and a half nut... That chain drive idea is more simple and just as effective! Thus far i have been using the laser level approach.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. The laser works great, just a pit slower.
@TangentJim3 жыл бұрын
Fantastic Video-You have solved a major problem using Bubble Gum and Bailing Wire. It's called Yankee Ingenuity. The time involved is huge, the skill requirements are tall. Providing drawings and links to parts is charitable and much appreciated. I take my hat off to you .
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks you sir. The drawings may not match different versions of the RF 30 but they are a good starting point.
@BenMitro3 жыл бұрын
Well done Winky, you fitted a square peg in a round hole and no brute force was used.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Ha... thanks!
@44mod3 жыл бұрын
I have 2 of those mills. Was thinking of a way to try to do what you have done. great job. Thank you for your time and God Bless.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, you too!
@mikesgarage3943 жыл бұрын
Perfect timing. With the cooler weather, I will be working on upgrades for my "Precision" 3.0 mill. DRO and x power feed are almost done and the column issue was next on the list.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Cool... I'll have a link to the drawings and parts list posted in the next few days. I'm not sure it will be the same but at least it's a starting point.
@mikesgarage3943 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop Looks pretty much identical. Much easier fix than Cuppa Joe's
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@mikesgarage394 I agree, I like the VFD and all but that a lot of work and expense too.
@capman9113 жыл бұрын
You may be getting some flex from the crank handle travel bar attached to the milling machine's pipe. The bar with the notches in it. Just tack weld it in strategic locations and if you ever want to get rid of it or sell it you can just grind off the tack welds. Those bars are only stuck in at the top and bottom collars giving some horizontal or lateral movement.
@dozza893 жыл бұрын
I've thought of doing this to mine. I figure if i work out the minimum and maximum heights i'm likely to need i can weld the remaining of the rack bar top and bottom to the pipe.
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
It will flex (a lot). For this to work well the rack needs to be attached to the column about every 3 inches. .001" rack movement translates to .006" or .008" at the spindle.
@KF-bj3ce3 жыл бұрын
Good try to make an inferior machine perform as it should. Tried this with similar unsuitable equipment, however learned to put my effort in to buying well engineered machinery. If you are lucky to have this equipment best use it for basic machining. Thanks for this video it is a good lesson to help others.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Of course a full size mill would be great and if machine work was much more than a hobby I'd sell this mill and get a good one. With that being said, this mill does fairly good with a lot less cost. Your advise would be good if I was 20 or 30 years old. I'm retired... it's a hobby. Of course if I see a good deal on a small mill I may get.
@douglassmith20552 жыл бұрын
The goal of keeping zero alignment is a good one. Seems like a simple dial indicator and brackets on the column and mill head would suffice. Zero like a vice tightening and tapping with dead blow.
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Suffice maybe... but what a pain. I used to do that all the time. Occasionally I would get lucky but locking the head moves everything. With the guide bar it is very consistent, usually less than .002". Admittedly, working in a factory setting most my life probably ruined me. The extra minute or two it took me to align the head bothered me a lot
@frankm17768 ай бұрын
Very cool! Great job on your project and the video! Thanks for sharing.
@WinkysWorkshop8 ай бұрын
Thanks! It made the mill a lot more user friendly
@frankm17768 ай бұрын
I am thinking about using something similar on my mill also. I was thinking about using a linear rail and bearing attached to top and bottom brackets and then making an adapter to attach to the crank on the rack, that will attach to a lovejoy coupling and AC stepper motor to move head up and down. I'm thinking the linear rail and bearing would provide more free range of motion while keeping the mill head from moving side to side? Whats your thoughts on this?
@randyreddig52393 жыл бұрын
Nice upgrade.. I solved the problem a different way... I started watching Craigslist... I found a Bridgeport with powered feed on three axis & a DRO it was listed cheap... I was the first respondent & got it for $1000.... Then I sold my RF mill on Craigslist for $750... Not quite as creative but I love the results....
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Yep, you did good. I'd got deal like that in the past but larger mills always seem to have a negative... way too big, 3 ph, need a ton of work, 1000 miles away etc. I did get my South Bend 11 for $100 but put a lot of hours into restoring it. Nice lathe and worth the effort however.
@randyreddig52393 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop It is 3 ph but I already have a VFD & I did wind up driving 700 miles round trip.... So yeah it had extra challenges... But I'm happy with the result... LOL
@bulgieR8 ай бұрын
Hot tip (I think), I used #25 chain, the sprockets are smaller for the same number of teeth. It's nowhere near straining the chain or sprocket, the forces involved are low. I went with a 1:6 gear ratio, 12 tooth small and 72 tooth large sprocket. I could have used a larger input (small) sprocket to make the head move faster, but I'm happy with the speed. I just set the small sprocket the right distance away to tighten the chain, so I didn't need an idler sprocket to take up the slack.
@WinkysWorkshop8 ай бұрын
You are probably right. I already had the sprockets. Good tip
@howardosborne86473 жыл бұрын
That worked out very well. I reckon either a vee belt or ribbed flat belt would also work as well as the chain drive.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
A timing belt would be great!
@howardosborne86473 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop It would indeed,but even one of the poly-vee belts used to drive vehicle ancillaries or washing machines would work well I think. Certainly plenty of grip from a 1/2" or 5/8" wide pooy-vee.
@travislandsman3 жыл бұрын
I like your channel. Always clever ways of solving problems
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Glad you like them! Thanks
@t.d.mich.70643 жыл бұрын
Yet another clever solution to a daily pain. I have a 8" spacer under the ram of my Bridgeport, and I am continuously running the knee up and down with the manual crank. Too bad I couldn't incorporate this to my mill .
@dietrichkanzler46053 жыл бұрын
Adapters can be bought or made to use a 1/2 inch drill for the knee feed. Commercial knee feed units are also available.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Harbor Freight drills are cheap! Thanks for watching!
@scottthornton92373 жыл бұрын
Make a drill motor adapter for the knee... Fun simple project : kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y5qka8pppsvSo3k.html (I certainly hope that Mr. Winky doesn't mind me throwing a bone to Tublecain!) I made these to make my X & Y handles on my round column mill "Power feed". With a slow drill, it made big improvement to final finish passes!
@MrModify2 жыл бұрын
Nice job and some good camera work also. I am thinking about doing this on my PDM30 mill.
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir!
@bulletproofpepper23 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing!!! Great project. You could loosen one and tight the other nuts on your u- bolts to walk your clamps around but your very close anyway.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Very true... I just thumped them with a hammer. Thanks
@marcosmota10942 жыл бұрын
Lock the rack to the column with countersunk bolts. Have a *third* collar ride on the plate along the column. Make the notch square, but round off its corners so that they don't dig into the rack's metal surface.
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
That would work but the rack would have to be bolted fairly often. Also the amount of metal at full depth of the teeth is not really adequate to counter bore. I considered pinning the rack but was a little worried I would not get it straight.
@ironhead653 жыл бұрын
I like it! Great job! Seems you just have to keep an eye on the delrin wear pads and you are golden!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I'll probably need to adjust them once or twice but after they wear a little I suspect they will stop wearing. Delrin is tough stuff.
@alanddeb23 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop Just machine them with the same contour as the round rod they travel on. Problem solved...
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@alanddeb2 - I doubt they will ever wear. I used to work for a printing company and we had gears made is Delrin meshing with steel. I've see the delrin break but the metal gears wore out long before the Delrin.
@mickellis87473 жыл бұрын
So you got around to it. I still haven't finished mine but putting it on the left side is a better idea for sure.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I agree, aside from the handle there is a lot more room. It was a lot of work but total cost was less than $150 so thats not too bad.
@NathanNostaw3 жыл бұрын
I like the drive idea and the concept of the alignment rig. I think the vertical rod needs to be larger, high precision ground rod, and the brackets a bit more rigid. Great idea.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I would have made the bar larger but my lathe bore is only 7/8". I think everything is more that strong enough to keep things in alignment BUT it would be nice if the clamps were near impossible to move and used a 1.75" bar. That way I could leave the head clamp slightly loose without fear of head movement. It would be great to eliminate the need to clamp and un-clamp the head.
@davidcouling74902 жыл бұрын
Great job and brilliant explanation...
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks David.
@thrustprop673 жыл бұрын
The Winkster nailed it great idea
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Ha... Thanks!
@jasonklassen73763 жыл бұрын
Hi thanks for you channel and your great ways of coming up with simple solutions to problems. You have inspired me to use this ( guide bar ) idea on my drill press as it has a round column and loses alignment when you lower or raise the table . thanks again
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome. The guide bar works better than expected on my mill and I love it! I also made a square column for my drill press that is amazing. It also have a harbor freight drill powered lift. Honestly... the guide bar might actually be the best approach. It's easier and less prone to error. I welded a round section to the top of my 4 x 4 column and got it perfectly aligned but if I had failed to get it straight and been of a fraction of a degree it would be a problem. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n5qPedd-srPKdKs.html
@LarryYaw3 жыл бұрын
I have the Grizzly g1000. Pretty much the same mill. I have been wanting to do this! Now you need to add limit switches and it will be the bomb!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks... If somebody else was going to operate the mill it would be a must. Hopefully I won't forget and run the head off the top of the column! Ha
@LarryYaw3 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop lol
@hootinouts Жыл бұрын
Good approach. I own practically the same machine sold by Harbor Freight except mine is a rarity in that it has a gearbox on the right side of the head that powers the quill. I am a mechanical designer by profession and already have designed a similar approach but have yet to make it happen. I plan on installing the guide bar on the right side. On the left side I plan to install a reversible electric motor also but will have the control switch on the right side near the pinch bolts that tighten the head to the column. I hate having to loosen the bolts then go around the other side to crank the head up or down then go back to the pinch bolts to tighten them. This wastes a lot of time. For the motor, I will integrate a clutch that will slip if I bottom out top or bottom.
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
With the motor lift its not too bad going to the other side but I like your idea. The slip clutch is also great. I've been thinking about a power head lock. like some kind of cam lock operated with an air cylinder on the lock down nuts. It sounds lazy but I still avoid moving the head sometimes and move the table instead.
@AmateurRedneckWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
You did an excellent job there Winky. I like the drill for your lift motor.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much! That little Harbor freight drill was $28 bucks. It runs 1500 RPM and there $18 drill runs 3000 RPM. Same amps and power but the slower speed was perfect. Plans are now posted although I don't think you need them if i remember right
@alanswanson5642 Жыл бұрын
Very good design. Now I have to watch the side of the road for an old free 10 speed bike fir my chaun and sprockets
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
Haha... that might work!
@DunderOz Жыл бұрын
Wonderful work 👏
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
Thanks, it really makes the mill more user friendly.
@JamesP_TheShedShop2 жыл бұрын
That's slick.. dubs "The Winkalizer".
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Haha... Thanks
@TheKnacklersWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Hi Winky, Nice fix to the round column mill, Nice haircut - lol... Keep the videos coming. Paul,,
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Ha... thanks. I was putting off the hair cut due to this Covid stuff but I could not take it any longer!
@mike945603 жыл бұрын
FWIW... I tack welded the gear track on mine. It still wiggles a bit but not a crazy amount. I still need to improve on it so this video helps with ideas. Thanks
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Yeah... I clamped mine firmly and was shock at how much the rack flexed. Pinning the rack between the teeth worried be but welding might work well if there is enough clearance.
@Tensquaremetreworkshop3 жыл бұрын
I made something similar, but bolted a bracket to the cast base and into the top of the column (needed the extra height). The follower is opposed ball races. Since I put a VFD driven 3ph motor on it, I do not need to get into the top cover any more, so I used the spare space to take the power supply to my Z axis drive (DC) motor.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I'd love to have the FFD!
@johnmettler9953 жыл бұрын
Winky, great fix. I have a similar machine. Very impressive and clever. Thanks for the post.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks
@TERRYB06883 жыл бұрын
I've made a lot of my machines with power drives and found that wind screen wiper motors do a very good job, they are an angled drive and geared, also cheap
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I think the wiper motors would be great but they also require a power supply. I could be wrong but I think the $30 drill is cheaper.
@TERRYB06883 жыл бұрын
Hi Winky, yes understand I buy the Motor for about £9 and the power supply for £12 must be 12v and about 7amps
@workshopcarnival60113 жыл бұрын
It's around 12 kg force required to wind the head up.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@workshopcarnival6011 - I actually check that. That sounds about right. I think I came up with 3-1/2 foot lbs
@codelicious65903 жыл бұрын
Great job!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@chuckthebull2 жыл бұрын
I just got one of these mills and like the idea but i think i'm going to go with simpler by making locking brackets like you have to just lock in the gear bar...it will act like your outer guide rod. maybe some minor error but i'm not too concerned .. great idea none the less, and power feed sure is nice
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Yeah this was a fairly involved project. If you use your rack you will get a lot of flex in the rack. At minimum you need two bolts at the bottom and top to hold the rack to the column. You may also need to drill and pin the rack in the middle as well. One reason I went with power was to reduce the influence of the crank and improve the accuracy.
@andreaswijaya41272 жыл бұрын
simple and very helpful nice work
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@wallaceknifeworkshomestead3 жыл бұрын
Outstanding build!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks you sir!
@dannywilsher41653 жыл бұрын
Winky video shows up in notifications, click on video, immediately click like, then watch video!!!
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
HA... THANKS Danny!
@kentuckytrapper7803 жыл бұрын
Great tinkering once again. Great job.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks again!
@kieranh20056 ай бұрын
Trick for doing thick metal with a holesaw is to drill chip clearing holes . Drill 2-4 holes, minimum 8mm, 12mm is better, with the outer edge of the hole in the planned outer edge of the holesaw hole. Then as you drill, the chips fall out the holes and you don't have to lift it and clear the teeth constantly, just keep the cutting fluid going in, keep the pressure on and don't run it too fast.
@WinkysWorkshop6 ай бұрын
I've heard this before and i should have done this. Thanks
@gallupcustomknives22933 жыл бұрын
Excellent!!! I've got one of these mills (mine is a Rong-Fu RF-30) and the biggest 2 problems are the limited Z travel without moving the head, and the head pivoting when trying to take a heavy cut, but this idea could potentially solve both! I am thinking I may duplicate this, but with a ball bearing linear guide rail, a cheap 100:1 gear drive motor, and limit switches top and bottom... I too have been somewhat confused with the metric diameter screws using standard thread pitch... in standard size tapped holes...
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Mine is also an RF30 sold by Enco. First, you don't really need a bearing but if you use one be sure you use one that is adjustable, otherwise you will have movement. Second, good luck finding a cheap gear motor. You might find one but it will be low voltage. If you find a cheap 120V gear motor please let me know. In hindsight I wish I had used a larger diameter guide bar but the one I used was the largest I could drill in my lathe. I've had problems with my head slipping while milling too but I still lock the head firmly. I worry about the clamps slipping or the bar flexing. If you make it stout enough you might get by with just leaving the head snug. It would be nice to not have to lock and unlock the head when you make a move. I do this while drilling but not milling.
@gallupcustomknives22933 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop yeah after I commented I finished watching and saw that you were only getting about .001” over approximately 5” of travel, that seems quite excellent with just cold rolled round stock as your shaft and delrin ‘bearing’! Maybe I will just duplicate your design straight across. I’ve found quite a few options for 120v worm drive motors, as usual, they’re straight from China, but will go well on a Chinese mini mill.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@gallupcustomknives2293 - Aside from the time it takes I don't have a problem buying from China. You could pay a higher price in the US but you might be buying the same gear motor. The derin is just two flat pads. I clamped them to the shaft and then tightened the lock downs. The surface area is so small you can run them tight without too much friction. The .001" was over about a 5 inch travel but that is still good if you ask me.
@gallupcustomknives22933 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop exactly. You read my mind on that last bit
@avelingdx3 жыл бұрын
If you want head alignment during raising and lowering the head on your round column mill but without the power feed there's a fix. It's described in issue 18 of Model Engine Builder magazine (September October 2008) pages 32 to 33. It uses the rack as the alignment bar and fixes top and bottom of the rack. A close fitting slide is fitted to the head to limit play.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
First off, thanks for the info. However, I tried this... this seems good but it is not an ideal fix. The rack is close to the pivot center and the leverage the head has on the rack flexes the rack.... and not just a little! The rack is only 1/4" think at the bottom of the teeth. It could work but the rack would need to be pinned to the column at least every 3 inches. My biggest concern about going this direction would be getting the rack positioned perfectly. It's hard to move a pin. Then there is the issue of drilling between the teeth on the gear. To be strong enough you would probably want to used a 1/4" pin and to do so you would also be removing part of the tooth. Maybe not a big deal but it would weaken the tooth. Also, trying to drill in a V (created by the rack teeth) might be tricky. There are a few other ways to fix this issue but in my opinion the rack is last on my list.
@avelingdx3 жыл бұрын
The unit had its disadvantages, if I'd really spent the time on it I should have, I would have had a lot more contact area top, bottom and a pair of sliding guides. The whole thing had to be removed to free up the bottom of the column every time I cut gears to allow me to fit a lower support bearing on the cutter arbor. I've found a workable and simpler solution to limited travel is in tooling length - long centre drills and stub length screw machine drills and stub reamers. Lets me set up tooling of roughly the same length. I'm tempted by vertical axis power feed for a boring head.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@avelingdx - I've done the same with the stub drills and have a video on making the long center drill. Of course that was long before this current fix.
@phillipjones33423 жыл бұрын
Well done very beneficial idea
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Philip.
@andyZ3500s3 жыл бұрын
That is a clever fix to a problem many of suffer with. Winky your results are better than you were talking about in the video, you were using a .0005 test indicator and calling each mark a thousand.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Yes you are correct on the indicator but the error is up to .001. But thats okay... I'm pleased with the results!
@andyZ3500s3 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop The results are about as good as one could hope for. It was a definitely a interesting video. There is always so many things to be learned from your videos. Thanks for all the time that you spend on them.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@andyZ3500s You are a kind person, Thanks!
@larrythompson29672 жыл бұрын
Pretty cool system, but maybe not the "ultimate fix"? After some years of frustration with my round column mill, and being uninterested in putting that much effort into one, I decided to buy a knee mill. Still may not be the ultimate as a nice Deckle or Maho would be way further up there, but way better...... BTW, if you know anyone that wants a round column mill, I may know a guy? Good videos, keep them coming.
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
HA... Yep, I totally agree. Thanks
@dizzolve Жыл бұрын
7:00 love these vises. I have what looks to be the same size.
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
The mill vise? One jaw on mine is warped. I need to fix that. Otherwise its a good one.
@dizzolve Жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop no the polish vise with the rear moving jaw
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
@@dizzolve Oh yeah... I remember the conversation now. Sorry. Yes it is a nice one.
@geraldsundberg36103 жыл бұрын
Nice job! I've always had that problem with my mill.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
It's very nice. I'm a little worried about the gears though. I move the head a lot more than I used to not that it has a motor drive. Now I need a push button lock down the head.
@alston5233 жыл бұрын
Great design! I see another design is screwed down the racks on top and bottom to keep column in line. That might fix the issue there and then add the power feed as you did.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I tried doing that. The two problem I had was that the rack flexes. It would have to be pinned every 3 inches to stop the flexing and you would have to pin it through the teeth. Second the amount of slop in the channel the rack is in is huge. I could not figure out how to eliminate this slop.
@aceroadholder21853 жыл бұрын
If you look closely on this mill, I'd bet that some, if not all,of the fasteners aren't Imperial... they're Whitworth. If you have one of these older Taiwanese mills unscrew the quill lock lever and take a look at it. It's probably 1/2" diameter, but check the thread count...It's probably 1/2"-12 BSW. The plastic front cover most likely is held on with 1/4" Whitworth screws. Cheers from NC/USA
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
You might be right... although I'm not sure why they would use whitworth
@aceroadholder21853 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Colony's mainland suppliers fled to Taiwan to escape the communists. Just kept on using what they had been using and stuff just gets baked in. E.g. no one makes metric ratchet wrenches or metric drive sockets. In a French garage you ask for a 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 drive ratchet or extension. Cheers from NC/USA
@roderickbarry24113 жыл бұрын
Hi, Do you ever have trouble when milling slotted holes, say 3/8 inch, with the mill bit runnung off and the slot becoming less than parrarell??
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Only with a small long end mill. Unless you take very small amounts the mill will deflect. If you want an accurate slot go with an undersized mill. While cutting a slot one side of the mill is climb cutting and this is not ideal.
@joeybobbie13 жыл бұрын
Hi Winki, you might could put a adjustable Clamp across the two angles holding the Deleon. That way you could tighten the Delrin against the Bar a little tighter.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I actually did that and then tightened it down. So far it hasn't worn that I can tell.
@canberradogfarts3 жыл бұрын
They re 1/4-20 et. al. screws because the OEM designs for the Tiawanese factories to build, were Murican contract NRE types.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
After thinking about this the Chinese make all the screws anyway, they probably had then in abundance
@daveknowshow3 жыл бұрын
I like this idea. I need to do this to mine. new subscriber. thanks for sharing.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Glad you liked it
@rogerpetrella59933 жыл бұрын
It may just be me, but I hate square corners, even with a small radius on them. I would definitely make that lower right hand corner really rounded off or contoured around the spring housing. Can't wait till you put up the links to plans and materials so I can try to build one for my RF-31.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Just posted the plans. Hopefully they are good enough for most to use. The biggest concern is differences in mills. Rong Fu made several variations over the years. You are right about the corners! Thanks
@panaviaman3 жыл бұрын
Cool video, nice piece of engineering, and yes why would someone dislike,
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@toddhaines52453 жыл бұрын
If you have a piece of Thompson shaft kicking around with a linear bearing would do the trick quite well.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
The delrin works very well. There is almost no force on the delrin and the contact area is very small so friction is not an issue. However... It would be nice to leave the head unlocked slightly and and move the head with the motor as needed without locking or unlocking. A bearing would be better for handling this lateral load. I actually do this while drilling but not for milling.
@brucetuckey79093 жыл бұрын
To stop the rotating problem just drill the rack gear and drill and tap the column to fix the rack to the column. The power feed is nice .
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
This can be done however there are some problems with this method. First, the rack needs to be pinned or bolted to the column every 4 inches. There is a 4 inch area at each end to do this but bolting it in 2 placed is nowhere near adequate and even 2 on the bottom and top does not hold the rack well enough, it flexes way too much. Bolting the rack in the middle is difficult due to the teeth. It is possible to use pins but if you get the rack positioned wrong it's hard to correct. The rack gear looks substantial but after they cut the gear teeth it's actually not even 1/4" thick. Like I said, it's possible but not as straight forward as you might think.
@compassprecision3 жыл бұрын
Very informative as usual. Always good watching you machine.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@dwightcarlson71363 жыл бұрын
Excellent again! May give it a go on my round column mill... On another subject, do you have any video with info re the coolant system for your Mill? I need to add one to my Mill. Is it cooling as well as lubrication that is required during milling?
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
The coolant I use is called Koolmist. It's about $40 per gallon but you dilute is a bunch, I think 15:1. There are many options for sprayers but get one with both air and coolant valves, some just control the air.
@couchforgecompany11343 жыл бұрын
Nice Job, great idea
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@dizzolve Жыл бұрын
Did you consider directly driving the worm shaft with the drill? Why the choice to go with sprocket layout? Did it create less torque forces that could influence side movement?
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
It takes a lot of torque to turn the worm. Way more than a drill has at very low speed. Side movement was not an issue plus it has a guide bar to stop movement.
@bobmacny3332 жыл бұрын
THANK YOU, I too bought a similar mill drill Mine is a Tiawan built central machine. Now im frying to see what taper or collets the machine uses. Any advise sought Thanks
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
Mine is R8. As far as I know they are all R8
@kennethwers6 ай бұрын
I would just bolt the vertical rack straight to the column. Then when moving the head push the head always to the side taking out any play.
@WinkysWorkshop6 ай бұрын
I started to do this but was worried about several things. first, it would need to be attached every 2 or 3 inches to avoid flex, second, the amount tooth left after drilling would weaken the tooth, and third, you only get one chance, if it isn't straight you are screed.
@Area51ca3 жыл бұрын
I don't seem to have this problem I don't loosen the locking screws to much when I have to do this operation . You may have OCD you shop is way to clean. Nifty device you made.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
I think I'm low on OCD compared to most professional machinists. It does help to leave the lock downs snug but no way could I assume the head didn't rotate. I guess it depends on what you are making - thanks for watching.
@bluegrallis3 жыл бұрын
I have an OLD Craftsman drill press I need to do this to. The only problem would be, when I want to use it like a radial drill 😉 That part of it does come in handy once in a while, but cranking the head up or down to use a different tool on the same location would be easier.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Yeah... I put a square column on my drill press. It had a hand crack for a while but now I have a drill to power it. Best thing I ever did!
@kentdixon5716 Жыл бұрын
Hey Winky, I found the other video, with the DRO , and where you kept the depth stop, what brand of caliper did you use ?, as it seems to have the readout facing the right way for this application, verses standard calipers, thanks very much.
@WinkysWorkshop Жыл бұрын
I bought it from All Industrial PN 30072
@kentdixon5716 Жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop Thanks for the quick reply.
@dennythomas88872 жыл бұрын
just a thought, the rack spins around the column with the head and couldn't you drill and pin the rack to the column preventing the head from rotating?
@WinkysWorkshop2 жыл бұрын
I did try this. To a degree this would work but their are a few problems to work around. First the clearance between the rack and the slot it runs in. I installed brass tip set screws to hold the head to one side of the rack. The way the casting is made it was hard to get to an area where you can do this but it can be done. Second, the column flexes, a lot. I put clamps at the top and bottom of the rack and the head moved back and forth at least 1/4". So to make this work you really need to bolt or pin the rack to the column every 6 inches. This means you are drilling through the gear teeth. I think a small pin would be the best option but I was worried and shearing an 1/8" pin. Larger pins would interfere with the gear mesh so part of the tooth would need to be removed. I was worried about weakening the tooth and the rack. There is less than a 1/4" of metal on the part of the rack against the column. Also, the guild bar is away from the column which makes it way more accurate. .001 movement at the bar is a bit less than .002 at the spindle.
@williedebeer9833 жыл бұрын
Brilliant work
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@grahameblankley38133 жыл бұрын
👍very nice modification,🇬🇧.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@28gwdavies3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant! ... Does your ingenuity have no bounds???
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Sometimes it's a little slow, this one took about 2 years to figure out.
@28gwdavies3 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop 2 years? My god you don't give up easily do you...
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@28gwdavies - It's was kind of like mowing the lawn, I think about filling in the holes every time I hit one. Every time I used the mill it triggered the obsession. I guess the mill was a higher priority, I still have holes in my yard!
@28gwdavies3 жыл бұрын
@@WinkysWorkshop I have what everyone calls my 'Loch Ness Monster' going across my gravel front yard... its a length of green rubber air hose that's supposed to be buried under the gravel, it feeds a car tyre pump up point. Every time I turn the compressor on it rises out of the gravel in a series of 'humps'... I just stand on it and kick the gravel back over it after I've used it, I keep saying I'll dig it in better but it never gets done. These things take time, never rush a job.
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
@@28gwdavies - Tire pump in the front yard... cool idea. I put a air quick connect in the back of my house. It's handy. At some point I was also going to put a hot water spigot in back too but I suspect that is about like the holes in my yard
@lostvikinga3 жыл бұрын
great video, i have the same mill except mine doesn't have a reverse. Did you fit that and if so did you change motor or rewire old one .Thanks
@WinkysWorkshop3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Mine came with the reverse. I bought it used. It looks original but I could be wrong. I almost never use the reverse. Of course if I didn't have it I would need it