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Author Topic: mini mill gas strut  (Read 9927 times)

Offline John Rudd

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mini mill gas strut
« on: March 05, 2012, 03:09:04 AM »
Any mini mill owners out there with the air spring kit from LMS?

Could some one pelase tell me the diameter of the gas strut rod?

I think it is 8mm but not sure...

and could you also confirm the length of the body please?

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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2012, 09:52:46 AM »
John,

I have the kit at home. When I get home from work (10 hrs from now), if no-one else has it for you , I will get it.

Eric
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Offline John Rudd

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2012, 10:19:08 AM »
Top man Eric :clap:

Its a real shame that shipping costs to the UK are so high otherwise I'd just buy the kit from LMS as they are on offer atm...

But $70 odd is a bit much to pay for a $35 kit of parts... :coffee:

I can source the strut here in the UK and the other bits are probably just something to knock up in the shop.. :dremel:

Thanks........
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2012, 10:54:16 AM »
I can do a measure up etc of the parts needed.

Do you have the extended rack too? I may be selling mine as I don't think I will need it with the CNC
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Offline John Rudd

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2012, 11:11:06 AM »
Eric,

My X2 clone is just that...Although it came from Chester Tools here in the UK it is different to the general mill.

Mine has a larger 550 watt motor and a larger table with feed handles at each end of the X axis.

The belt drive write up by Jerry Rollet didnt fit exactly, there were dimensional differences between the mill he designed the conversion for and mine. Nothing that couldnt be resolved.. :dremel: But just shows that not all mini mills are the same :coffee:

I'm not sure if the extended rack would help as I can lower the head on mine such that the spindle will meet the table...

If you are considering selling on the kit let me know especially if the postal costs are favourable  :clap: ( not sure how we would organise payment? )

cheers
John
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tumutbound

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2012, 11:04:11 PM »
John,
Diameter of the rod is 8.17mm.
Length of the shock body is 315mm, that's to the adapter on the rod entry end. Including the adapter, it's 344mm
The label on the shock reads 30lb force.
Let me know if you need more, it's not on the mill at the moment.
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2012, 11:16:23 PM »
Geoff beat me to it.

Eric
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Offline John Rudd

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2012, 03:24:25 AM »
Thanks for the replies chaps...

8mm seems realistic for the diameter as I'd imagined..

Is the overall length of the strut somewhere in the region of  430mm with the damper rod fully extended?
That would make the travel around 200mm..

I checked on my mill again last night...There isnt a cover over the top of column...Mine is solid!!

Looks like I'll need to devise a method of attaching a gas strut to the main column/head assembly. :dremel:
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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2012, 04:41:44 AM »
From the centre of the eyelets/attachment point it's 610mm.
The length of the rod is 270mm.

I mounted mine using the holes left when removing the torsion spring device on the left hand side of the mill.
Pictures available  if it helps.
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Offline John Rudd

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2012, 04:57:57 AM »
Geoff,
PM sent  :thumbup:
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2012, 11:37:44 AM »
Quote from: tumutbound on March 06, 2012, 04:41:44 AM
From the centre of the eyelets/attachment point it's 610mm.
The length of the rod is 270mm.

I mounted mine using the holes left when removing the torsion spring device on the left hand side of the mill.
Pictures available  if it helps.

Yes. Please post up the pictures as I am curious too!
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Offline John Rudd

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2012, 01:59:45 PM »
A quick update....

I found a place on 'tinternet..and bought an adjustable pressure strut for a £1 more than specifying a set pressure...Should be here tomorrow...

Why adjustable?

Well my mill is a bit of an unkown weight wise...The motor is quoted as being 550watts so I'd say it weighs in more than your standard minimill motor at 350watts...The there's the belt drive inlieu of the gears, all made from alloy plate ( bit of a weight saving there.... :dremel: ) The electronics is a KBIC240 controller slight weight adjustment one way or 'tother...
 A bog standard..( where is he?  :D ) minimill strut is good for 30lbs so I thought I'd err on the cautious side...

More to come.... :coffee:
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tumutbound

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2012, 07:32:15 PM »
Here's a link on my website to the gas strut install I made.
I used a threaded rod as the one supplied was not long enough for the mounting position I used.
The only reason I mounted it like this was to avoid drilling holes in the column or mill head.

You just need to make sure that the strut and the long threaded rod are as parallel as you can make them otherwise it can bind or even bend the strut.
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Offline John Rudd

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Re: mini mill gas strut
« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2012, 03:49:12 AM »
Thanks for the info Geoff...

Just waiting on the parcel delivey van to turn up.... :dremel:
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