Milling Attachment for Flexispeed

Quite some time ago, I asked for information about making a milling attachment:: I have finally finished making one now for my Flexispeed. The lash-up with the plastic wing nut and the spacers is temporary until I can buy a suitable 6mm cap screw or bolt of the correct length.

I was uncertain how rigid it would be or whether the 70 watt sewing machine motor would be suffiiently powerful to be useful. I am pleasantly surprised as the device can take fairly deep cuts, produce a reasonable finish and the motor does not stall. The finish is lot better than I was getting when I used the vertical slide as a conventionaI slide with the cutter on the lathe spindle. I am confident that with patience, I should be able to do small jobs effectively.

All I need now is a small vice to attach to the cross-side. Does anyone have anything suitable which they would consider selling?

Regards,

James.

Edited By James Alford on 14/03/2021 18:42:50

Splendid job, James

MichaelG.

Very Nice well done ! I'm supprised the 70W motor is enough. Noel.

Looks like a good idea turned into an effective attachment - nice work. .you could make a drilled & tapped plate to bolt to the top of the slide to clamp work to, if you are stuck for a vise?

James , l have a new and unused boxed Myford MA71 vice l got from the original Myford Nottingham company . If you are interested in it l could send you some pics For some unknown reason l can't now post pics into my albums from my tablet . Not sure of value , so will need to trawl net for an idea . Trevor.

Thank you for the compliments.

A drilled and tapped plate would be a useful addition. Thank you for the suggestion.

Trevor: may I ask how large the vice is? The cross-slide on the Flexispeed is diddy, being just 2" wide.

Regards,

James.

I have taken the liberty of linking James’ useful photo of the Flexispeed for easy reference: **LINK**

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/sites/7/images/member_albums/142495/612406.jpg

Hope that’s O.K. with you, James

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/03/2021 23:10:25

Not at all. Thank you, Michael.

Regards,

James.

I’ve just had a thought, James

That long tee-slot on your tiny cross-slide [and/or a tapped auxiliary plate] would be very useful with something like the Mitee-Bite products:

I say ‘something like’ because the real ones might be considered ‘reassuringly expensive’

... Have a look here, for inspiration : **LINK**

https://www.wixroyd.com/en/page/mitee-bite-clamping-products-from-wixroyd

MichaelG.

James , The vice is 2 7/8"(74mm) wide x 4 1/4"(111mm) long [excluding handle] x 1 3/8"(35mm) deep and so would need mounting on a sub-table , and so probably not suitable for your needs . Can take and email pics if you decide you still interested . I also have another new and unused and boxed Toolmakers Vice 2 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 4 1/2" . Also , Arc do a tool vice , 130-040-04048 which you may find of interest .

Proops are doing a 1 1/2" drill press vice, H4078 for only £18.10 .

Michael: I see what you mean by "reassuringly expensive", but there are some good ideas there. Thank you.

Trevor: thank you for the details of your two vices, but I think that they will be too large, sadly. I shall have a look at the Arceuro and Proops products, though. Thank you for the suggestions.

Regards,

James.