One more project to work on

[MarkBall2]

Didn't think of being too high. I was thinking of being too low, that's where I got the 5" size for the left/right handles. I was going to use the same size on the front handle too.

I'll check to make sure it's not too tall tomorrow. That way I only have to spend the money once.

[Dave Lee]

Mark, for your handwheels, MSC used to sell rough-cast ones. I don't know if they still do or not but, you can finish them up in your lathe and save a considerable amount. Another company, Reid Tool also had them.

There was a series of articles in The Home Shop Machinist or Machinist workshop magazines called "Mill Drill Adventures," written by D.E. Johnson. I have all the original magazines, good stuff. I remember one article in particular, where he bought some of those rough-cast handwheels and finished them beautifully. Your's and my mill drills were from the era that he wrote the articles about. I just found out that, you can buy the articles in a hardback book. It's called, "The Shop Wisdom of D.E Johnson." A little pricey at $42, though but, 220 pages.

There were a lot of "The Shop Wisdom of........." books published fortunately, because, most these guys have gone to that big machine shop in the sky and you won't hear from them again. Frank McClean and Rudy Kouhoupt were two other great authors. You can contact the company at www.villagepress.com/workshop/

I know I keep mentioning HSM and MW magazines. I have no affiliation with them. They are however, nice to have a subscription to.


Dave

[MarkBall2]

Thanks David. I've been looking & found several resources for hand wheels.

The book sounds interesting & my girlfriend thinks that might be a good idea. Her exact quote was "What's another $42.00. You're already gonna be spending a few hundred on it".

I took that as a go to spend some money.

[akabull]

Gee Mark, that is not how i would interpret that at all if my old lady had said that!

[MarkBall2]

Ok, after having a great day teaching new Nursing Assistant students, I went to buddy's house with the press.

I'm surprised the quill shaft straightened as easily as it did. But it's dang near perfect. We moved it about 0.39 & when I put in the lathe to check runout, it was only out .03. I was stoked.

Got the handle bent, the quill shaft re-installed. Broke the little tip off the return spring on the quill shaft, but managed to straighten the end & get re-assembled. Now just need to weld the handle together tomorrow after a bit of shaping on the bandsaw.

Next is to cut the adapters for the handwheels. Then get new handwheels. I used Jacks procedure & measured, I need 4" handwheels. I'll get them ordered next month. Grizzly has them for about $6.95 each. I need 3 & find a smaller one for the fine quill downfeed. I'm thinking 2.5" on that one, even though I can use a 4" handwheel.

I'll post up pictures tomorrow of the re-assembled quill handle & the headstock handle I'm making.

[1-800miner]

When I have something big on the table I just take off the offending wheel and crank from the other side. Of course someday I will have something overhanging both ends and wish I had a small hand wheel.

[MarkBall2]

Ok, got the headstock handle all welded up & it works GREAT!!!

When I was trying to make the adapter for the handwheels, I couldn't get the lathe to cooperate. The adapter kept slipping in the milling attachment, plus I broke my 1/4" end mill.

So for now, I gave up. I'll probably break down & call Enco to see what their replacement handles cost. Bummer, I was looking forward to fixing my own.

Anyway I promised some pictures, here they are.............

1. What I started with
2. Tapered the handle on the band saw, before I welded it,
3. All welded up,
4. Close-up of the weld
5. Rotating handle welded on. I used a 5/8" bolt, turned the head down & using a 1/2" black pipe nipple, welded the bolt to the larger bar. I had some small spacers I used to prevent the black pipe nipple from being pinched.

[MarkBall2]

Once that was done, I smoothed the edges with my flap wheel, then shot a coat of paint (Bronze Hammer Finish Rustoleum).

1 & 2 Shot of the rotating handle before the bolt was turned & welded on,

3. Handle painted
4. Handle installed.

I think it turned out pretty good. Thank goodness my buddy has a press, it bent the handle without difficulty.

[MarkBall2]

I forgot to take a pic of the straightened quill shaft. But it's installed, the fine feed works, the handle is installed which raises the spindle quite easily. Eventually I may need to take out the spindle & clean things up, but for now it raises quite easily.

1 & 2 Quill downfeed handle with new arms & balls

3 & 4 Quill downfeed handle installed on freshly straightened quill shaft.

The levers will run into the table, but the spindle is only off the table an inch. I highly doubt I'll ever run the mill that low. If I ever need to do that, I'll remove the levers & shorten them an inch. Otherwise, it works the way it is.

[MarkBall2]

Originally Posted by MarkBall2

List of tasks to accomplish:

1. Straighten Quill Shaft.
2. Bend handle for raising/lowering headstock.
3. Weld handle for headstock.
4. Mill 4 prong adapters. I think I need the mill to do this properly, the milling attachment on the lathe won't cooperate.
5. Order Handwheels.
6. Get motor checked, possibly new bearings if the motor is salvagable.
7. Order VFD to get power to Miner.
8. Order a 5" vise. Not sure if I want a pivoting one or just a flat base one.
9. Order R-8 collets, have the drawbar already.
10. Order Parallels & precision angles.
11. Order 6" rotary table.

I know there are other things I need to get, but I'll get them along the way. The first 4 tasks are inexpensive & can be accomplished fairly quick. I'll wait to order parts/spend money when I have it in my pocket. I hate buying on credit, so I just don't.

List updated............