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In this three-part video marathon, you will witness the
seemingly impossible! Observe Jose as he builds
a fully operating and capable 80-pound variable speed Milling machine with
existing Taig micro lathe components and readily available stock aluminum
material. A commercial heavy duty X & Y milling table is utilized to
complete the project.
This is definitively not a "toy" but a complete milling center that will
out perform just about anything in its class. For a total expenditure of
less than $300, you too could have a tool that will perform better than
milling machines that cost more than twice as much. This video will take
you through every step from its initial conception and planning to beyond
its very successful conclusion in painstaking detail so that you will be
able to easily duplicate this achievement!
As an extra bonus, you will be treated to a full narrative and visual
step-by-step presentation on the building of a 60:1 geared dividing head
that, with the addition of a simple shop made
indexing accessory, will allow it to divide
anything into as many as 21,600 equal divisions and for that matter, any
other number divisible into that. You will also learn how to easily cut
perfectly fitting dovetailed sliding joints with the simplest of
equipment. These two items alone would be worth the price of this video
set.
See how to produce a professional quality engraved dial with nothing more
than a small lathe (Taig). You will see each component being worked,
fitted and assembled as the unit is magically transformed more and more
into a "real" milling machine. The final two hours or so
are devoted to a full battery of milling
operations performed on real components that make up part of the geared
dividing head, including other milling goodies.
During the filming of the final milling tests, cuts were routinely taken
on 6061-t6 alloy to depths of over 90 thou with a common imported 1/4"
diameter four flute end mill. We do not recommend that you routinely cut
to those depths, but it sure is nice to be able
to do so when required.
This is a definite "must" for anyone who has grown tired of using
alternative milling methods but either is not ready to invest the big
bucks for a commercially available bench top milling machine,
or simply not satisfied with what’s presently available out there.
The milling machine’s specifications and
features include:
- Table dimensions 5-1/2" x 12" with two "t" slots
- "T" slot is 1" wide and stud size is 5/8"
- X axis travel is 9"
- Y axis travel is 5"
- Z axis travel is 8" from highest position to the
surface of the milling table
- Lead screw to spindle center distance 5"
- Adjustable x and y table stops
- No more than .005" backlash on all three axes
- Head stock locks to prevent possibility of downward
drift during heavy cuts
- Re zero type dials on the x and y movements
- Heavy duty Taig spindle and dovetailed head stock
with provision for collets either proprietary or ww
- ½" drilling capacity
- End mill capacity with Taig blank arbor holder is ½"
- Fly cutter capacity is 2-1/2" diameter
- All slides graduated to .001"
- Variable speed permanent magnet dc motor with
controller, 500 to 1500 rpm
- Six step machined pulley system giving step less,
overlapping, no load speed ranges of145 to 4900 rpm
- Full array of milling accessories available. Spindle
accessories mount directly to the
 threaded
3/4-16 spindle or insert into the tapered spindle bore and are locked
with a draw bar.
By Craftsman, Jose F. Rodriguez
Running time: Approx. 12 hours
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