Well, some might say that anyway?
It's been a while since I made anything or posted anything worth reading so I hope some will find this worthy?
A little back story first. Quite some time ago I was visiting Bogs and he had not long had his new mill in service. While showing me it's workings, one thing that really stood out was the use of the powered knee to raise the work while boring. Thus creating a near mirror finish while boring out a part. Something I really liked but could not do on my mill.
Well, not on my old mill anyway. But the new one with it's very easily rotated z axis fine feed. That's a completely different story.....
So, with a little geared motor, a mini toothed drivebelt and some toothed pulleys to fit the belt (all acquired from Bogs

). Then not more than a day after talking through my idea with John, Stew posted an advert for a speed controller free to a good home.... How lucky was that!?
So armed with this lot I did this...... (Don't worry the rest is mostly pictures and a (basic) video

The motor and the larger pulley, a bronze insert with 1/2" bore. Made the replace the roller bearing clutch that I pressed out.

The insert pressed in and the pulley test fit.


The pulley was then drilled through and threaded to take a grub screw. I used the flywheel retaining idea of a long pin down the hole so I only had the thread the top of the hole


I missed a few pictures, being caught up in the moment and all... So I got to this pretty soon. A bit of pre-bent steel plate that was pretty strong. I fitted the motor to it and then mounted a brass block. Then mounted it to the mill using existing holes.

Sorry, I missed loads of photo opportunities on the way.... I ended up with this though. It's in manual mode here, just release the bearing tensioner and push the belt off the large pulley..... A bit rough and ready, it is only for occasional boring use. I may re-make some bits in the future but not now. It does the job I made it for and I'm very happy with the result.


And the proof it works....
(Click on the pic to see the vid)

A close up of the finish.... Pretty good I'm thinking


Proper happy with myself this evening..... Feeling like I'm a madmodder again

Feel free to question and critique.
Ralph.