WM14 Mods

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share a few mods I've done to my Warco WM14 mill. Cooling fan fitted to the top of the motor housing. This makes a huge difference to the motor temperature. Was getting tired of having to reach up to adjust the Z axis so I fitted a wiper motor in place of the hand wheel, limit switch and up / down switch. Switch is fitted just under the stand tray which makes it much easier to position the Z axis by sight. I have DRO scales fitted to my WM250VF lathe and WM14 mill with one DRO and found it a real hassle have to change around the 9 pin RS323 connectors when I wanted to change machine. 2 cheap RS232 data switches from e-bay solved the problem. Switch the DRO on and select the mill or lathe function then select the mill or lathe on the data switch. The WM14 stand is a bit flimsy to say the least. I welded up a brace that is fitted between the rear of the Z axis bed way and the stone wall in the workshop. There is no movement whatsoever in the mill now. Probably the best mod for the mill. I've still to give everything a coat of Warco green to make it look a bit better. Life in the workshop is a wee bit easier now.

Cheers the noo

John.

Good mods and well done. I've done the same thing with my lathe, bolted a bracket to the wall. Do you have fine control on the wiper motor for fine z positioning? Or do you rely on the quill for fine depth of cut adjustment etc?

Hi Hopper,

No speed control on the motor at the moment so I still use the quill for fine adjustment.

Cheers

John.

Nice mods John; the more I see members putting a Z motor drive on their mills the more the seed is planted in my ' toduit' list.

George.