Member postings for Oxymoron

Thank you everyone, some great advice and also a few ideas on new ways of working which I will definitely try.

To conclude, I've ordered a 3 scale DRO kit planning to put the Z on the pillar of the mill but I've upgraded the readout to have 4 ports so if I later decide to put a read head on the Quill as Roy has shown in the photo I've got the option to do so. Taking the advise of many of you to future proof.

Thanks again everyone.

Dave

Thanks for clarification Jason

Wow, thank you all for suggestions and quick responses. Consensus would seem X & Y are definite need to have and Z is the 'luxury' item.

Jason, are you saying you don't use the fine feed on X3, just put cut depth on by moving head up and down the column? Interesting.

I'll do a little more price comparison and then decide. Thanks again.

Decided to fit a DRO to my Mill but would like advice on Z axis please.

I have got a Sieg SX2.7L Mill. Same mill as Jason has used for the Milling for beginners series but with a slightly larger table (hence L). I was all set to buy a 3 Axis kit from ems-i with magnetic scales when I realised my Z axis moves in 2 ways. Course adjustment by hand wheel moving head up and down the column and also a fine feed on the quill. The fine feed has a small electronic vernier type scale and readout already as standard. This is battery powered which I have to remember to switch off and is not easy to read without getting head inline with small screen.

I’m assuming the most used axis on DRO will be the X and Y hence are definates. So I think I have the following options.

1. DRO only X & Y axis.

2. DRO X, Y and replace current fine feed readout on Quill with new scale and use this as Z axis.

3. X, Y and fit Z to vertical column and keep using fine feed scale already fitted.

4. X, Y and fit new scale to both Z column and fine feed and use readout that allows addition of both Z scales into one Z readout.

The price increases with my option numbers. So I think option 2 is favourite but I’d appreciate opinions if I’d be making a mistake not putting scale on the Z column.

Thanks, Dave

My Workshop is called the 'Playpen'. Consequently when I'm there I'm Playing. "I'm going out to play" is frequently heard in our house.

But then many would say I've yet to grow up.

Edited By Oxymoron on 22/05/2019 16:04:59

Peter, mine arrived yesterday too. Also not tried it yet but many thanks for the heads up.

Dave

Ken, I have no knowledge of option 1 or 2 so sorry I have no comparison to offer.

However I am a happy owner of SX2.7L from ARC. Other users have mentioned the longer table on L version, what I particularly liked is its also a little wider at 125mm rather than 100mm. I thought this wider table would give better stability with any larger work pieces.

I've had this mill for 6 months and its done all I ask and capable of much more. ARC's service before, during and after sale have been exceptional together with Jason's articles and videos have made owning and getting started with this mill a pleasure.

Dave

Dave, (SOD) many thanks for taking the time to explain above. Very informative. I've started work on a 1" Minnie and currently turning wheel rims. I figure I'll need a rotary table before long and when it comes to cutting gears which I'd like to try myself then dividing plates could be very useful.

I've learnt a lot from this thread to help make an informed purchase.

Dave

Thanks Guys. Pretty much as I assumed, you can manage without the plates but they make it easier. And less error prone. I need all the help I can get!

I have recently been looking at rotary tables for use on my mill (SX2.7). This discussion has been very useful to me.

However a question: Some tables seem to be sold with dividing plates and I am wondering if these are actually needed. In my imagination rotary tables can be positioned to within a few seconds of angle. So why are dividing plates needed as surely a spreadsheet could quickly give the number of degrees, minutes etc for any number of divisions.

What have I missed please, are dividing plates worth having with a Rotary table?

Regards

Dave

Phillip, I have a QCTP from Arc which I am very happy with. Model 000

Its fitted on my SC4 which as an M12 threaded hole in the compound slide but an M10 clearance hole in the tool post and M10 nut. I took an M12 bolt which fits the lathe and turned it down and re threaded for the QCTP end.

Maybe you can modify a bolt in a similar way for your setup.

Dave

Thanks for the kind comments Guys.

Santa bought me a book by 'L. C. Mason' so I'm sure you can guess what my next project is. Just hope I'm not getting too ambitious. Stand by for questions.........

Dave

Thanks Brian, yes, very pleased its a runner but feel could have done better. On to another project I think.

Looking back to your silver soldering earlier in this thread, that is very impressive. I struggled to solder the crankshaft for this little Stuart, I've a lot to learn.

Dave

A crude video of the V10 running. Sorry about the quality, just wanted to prove I could add a video.

Dave

Edited By Oxymoron on 11/02/2019 16:16:04

Finally complete my first engine. It's far from brilliant, learnt loads whilst building it, especially about machining sequences and checking the plans are right before drilling holes. But it RUNS

And hopefully Ive worked out how to post photos. Now a video is the next challenge!

Dave

DrDave and Swarf Maker, many thanks for the information on Fusion360. I'll check it out.

Chris, I'm comfortable with storing some information on the cloud especially if it is locally stored as well, just need to be selective on what is put on the cloud.

Dave

Jason, many thanks for investigating 'Tapping Mode' and posting the video. Those Spiral flute taps look impressive, will be checking those out for the next Tap I need.

Regards Dave

Andrew thanks for taking the trouble to post the pictures and explanation about Tapping heads. Very interesting for me.

Jason, have you come across a decent manual for the SX2.7 anywhere on the net? The manual that comes with it is very sparse apart from the exploded component diagrams. I managed to download a better manual for my SC4 lathe but not found anything for the mill.

Dave

Andrew, I've been out all day so Jason explained tapping function before me and probably better than me anyway! I've not come across Tapping heads before. I'll have a Google.

Jason, I'll await your video/ article with great interest. Thanks

You worked out exactly what I'm doing. I broke a 7BA in the base casting and had to drill it out and put a plug in so I'll not take the risk. Thanks for the advice, I'm very grateful.

Dave