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| Steenkamp:
Hi all. I have been contemplating for a while now the build of a new spindle for my Tom Senior M1 mill. Reasons as follows 1. Current knuckle head configuration utilizes a 45 degree helix gear set, the teeth on my set are worn sharp and dont like high speed or mild steel at all. Lots of noise gets generated 2. Head hight with the current head is very limited 3. High spindle speeds for very small end mills are impossible due to machine construction 4. Very limited angular movement of current head. 5. I would like to preserve the current knuckle head in a working condition, thus need a replacement spindle before this one gives up the ghost. After trolling the internet for ideas i saw some people fitted Bridgeport M heads to their TS mills. Bridgeports are extremely scarce in my neck of the woods, let alone parts or something as exotic as a M head. So i decided i will take the plunge and build my own spindle. The spindle needed to be belt driven and not break the bank I decided to use angular contact bearings for the spindle bottom and a deep groove ball bearing for the top. Will see to arrangement as i go along. Any suggestions? Well i started to machine my spindle to be out of EN19T and it is slow going on my ML7!! |
| bertie_bassett:
looks like a good start! im sure iv seen photos of a spindle supported by the overarm and driven via a belt off the main drive. there were some pullys used to let the belt turn 90 degrees. was the route I was going to go if I got an old horizontal mill. o |
| Steenkamp:
Hi Bertie. My idea is to drive the mill spindle via VFD and a 3phase motor with belts and stepped pulleys. |
| velocette:
Hi One suggestion is that you use "Poly Vee Belts" PJ section with 6 ribs and fabricate your own Stepped pulleys. A variable speed drive DC or AC vsd with the stepped pulleys give a very versatile power delivery to cope with anything you throw at it. Personal preference is for Taper Roller Bearings with .25 mm brass shim grease retainers. Angular contact ball bearing top and bottom will probably be better for high spindle speeds. Eric |
| Steenkamp:
Hi all, thanks for the suggestions. What would the best lubrication be for the angular contact bearings be? I was thinking about auto transmission fluid (ATF). Would that be too thin? |
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