Controls for milling machine

Being a relatively new owner of a Tom Senior E type milling machine I have been busy fitting a 3 axis DRO to it which is now nearly finished. The machine came with an invertor mounted on the side of the motor. I am going to make a new 'control box' with push buttons, speed control pot etc. Apart from the obvious stop, start and speed, is it worthwhile have a forward / reverse and jog buttons?

I have also got a MachTech rpm meter which I will fit into the panel.

Useful for tapping?

Better to incorporate them now while your not using the machine in anger than to find you want them later on?

Since I fitted 3 phase and a VFD to my VMB I've found using low speed and reverse extremely useful for tapping. I think fitting some arrangement to the quill feed lever so you can instantly reverse using a button would be very useful. At the moment for tapping I have one hand on the quill feed and another on the fwd/reverse switch! Likewise having jog which runs the spindle at a low speed for things like tapping so you don't have to remember to set the frequency to a low value before tapping. One day I'm going to forget and have a bracing experience!

I fitted DRO and VFDs to my Centec - one for the spindle and one for the power feed. Both have forward/reverse/off switches. As John mentioned, the forward/reverse on the spindle is really good for tapping. I'd hate to go back to the single speed and direction days.

Looks like a nifty piece of kit there, Gary. You looking to sell?

Michael W

Like the Newall C80 three axis on the mill ,excellent bit of kit.. Very spendy, but worth it. Bomb proof.

Thanks for the compliments and, no, it's not for sale.

It's worth a go isn't it? I'd imagine it's a joy to use.

Michael W