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R8 collets

whydontu said:
Little Machine Shop has a solid column conversion kit for the X2 mini mills that drastically improves rigidity, as well as a 2” riser block. Also really nice folks to deal with, very knowledgeable and helpful.

littlemachineshop.com

Solid Column Conversion Kit | Mini Mill Conversion Kit

This mini mill conversion kit is designed to convert a HiTorque Tilting Column Mini Mill to solid column. This kit includes the base and column along with fasteners and instructions. Order online today.
littlemachineshop.com littlemachineshop.com
Click to expand...

I like LMS, I just can't handle their shipping rates.
 
Susquatch said:
I see. Nice machine!

I would not bother with a post extension unless you can find a good one pre-made to fit the mill and then only at the bottom.

But it looks like it has plenty of Z travel for its size. What are you making that you need more Z travel?

But ya, I think the whole R8-ER20 thing is the way to go with perhaps a few R8 collets in common sizes (1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 6mm, 12mm).

If you need more headroom for drilling, drill bits should work fairly well in the ER collets.

It doesn't look like a better drill chuck will get you anything. It's already pretty compact.
Click to expand...
For drilling I have a half horse power drill press if I need long drill usage in larger pieces. My longer term plan is possibly custom triple trees on my competiton Trials Motorcycle, some time in the future though.
 
YYCHM said:
You will have to pull the draw bar and measure the dia. and thread pitch. Before buying collets you need to ensure the threads match you draw bar.

R8 collets will buy you the most head room and if you want to bypass using your drill chuck you will need a full set of metric collets. I use a R8-ER20 collet chuck with a full set of metric collets when the drill chuck is a problem. The ER20 collet chuck and collets are a lot cheaper than a full set of metric R8 collets.
Click to expand...
Looks like I have a 7/16th with 20 UNF thread. does that sound right ?
 
YYCHM said:
Oooops..... fixed.

The head is raised/lowered via a rack and pinion that's rather sloppy. You would be down feeding with the fine feed and the head drops as the pinion picks up a new tooth on the rack. The torsion head support spring isn't stiff enough to prevent it. The air spring supports the head much better and alleviates the problem some what. Shimming the rack closer to the pinion helps as well. All very annoying and documented on the web.

canadianhobbymetalworkers.com

CX605 Down Feed Tune Up

Finally got fed up with the sloppy down feed and head drop issues on my CX605 and decided to do something about it. Apparently the head drop issue has to do with the poor mesh between the column rack and up/down feed gear as well as the sprung head support system. I tackled the mesh issue by...
canadianhobbymetalworkers.com canadianhobbymetalworkers.com
Click to expand...
Waiting on this as its back ordered till August but plan on getting it the the other two DRO's I need , I have one on the column.
 
Eric,
Here is set of R8 collets that I posted on Saturday.
Drawbar is 7/16”-20
Metric Bores.
Amazon has the whole set on for $102.00

BrandHHIP
MaterialSteel
Included componentsRound Collet Set

About this item​

  • Made of hardened, high grade tool steel
  • Precision ground to close tolerance
  • Internal thread is 7/16"-20
  • Includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 20mm
  • Collets minimize the amount working height used. Much less then drill chucks and boring bars with required cutting tips.
The LINK is included here.

Specifications for this item​

Brand NameHHIP
Ean0769053092423
Global Trade Identification Number00769053092423
Included ComponentsRound Collet Set
MaterialSteel
Measurement SystemMetric
Model Number3903-0006


 
My appologies I should have introduced myself at the beginning !
I took two metal shops in high school then in Art / trade school studdied precious metals in the Jewellery and Silver smithing trades. 9 years training as a goldsmith and diamond mounter, now since 1960 I have been in the trade 61 years. Covid slowed things big time but still do a bit to keep my hand in now. If it helps take a look at www.brackenbury.ca
Last couple of years started getting a few tools together in the garage where I fight for space with my competition Trials motorcycles. Been a fix it person all my life. Hope that enough to clue you in where I am at now.
 
eric_brackenbury said:
For drilling I have a half horse power drill press if I need long drill usage in larger pieces. My longer term plan is possibly custom triple trees on my competiton Trials Motorcycle, some time in the future though.
Click to expand...

A million years ago I had a trials bike. Never competed though. Just loved the go-anywhere ability. Had an enduro after that and missed the trials bike so much that I switched the enduro to knobby tires, and swapped in a giant ring gear and smaller drive gear.

What the heck is a triple stack?
 
LenVW said:
Eric,
Here is set of R8 collets that I posted on Saturday.
Drawbar is 7/16”-20
Metric Bores.
Amazon has the whole set on for $102.00

BrandHHIP
MaterialSteel
Included componentsRound Collet Set

About this item​

  • Made of hardened, high grade tool steel
  • Precision ground to close tolerance
  • Internal thread is 7/16"-20
  • Includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 20mm
  • Collets minimize the amount working height used. Much less then drill chucks and boring bars with required cutting tips.
The LINK is included here.

Specifications for this item​

Brand NameHHIP
Ean0769053092423
Global Trade Identification Number00769053092423
Included ComponentsRound Collet Set
MaterialSteel
Measurement SystemMetric
Model Number3903-0006


Click to expand...
Will they take the 7/16 draw bar ?
 
Look at the . . . “About this item”
  • Made of hardened, high grade tool steel
  • Precision ground to close tolerance
  • Internal thread is 7/16"-20
  • Includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 20mm
 
LenVW said:
Look at the . . . “About this item”
  • Made of hardened, high grade tool steel
  • Precision ground to close tolerance
  • Internal thread is 7/16"-20
  • Includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 20mm
Click to expand...
Getting late and you can take the horse to the trough but it won't always drink ;-)
 
eric_brackenbury said:
My appologies I should have introduced myself at the beginning !
I took two metal shops in high school then in Art / trade school studdied precious metals in the Jewellery and Silver smithing trades. 9 years training as a goldsmith and diamond mounter, now since 1960 I have been in the trade 61 years. Covid slowed things big time but still do a bit to keep my hand in now. If it helps take a look at www.brackenbury.ca
Last couple of years started getting a few tools together in the garage where I fight for space with my competition Trials motorcycles. Been a fix it person all my life. Hope that enough to clue you in where I am at now.
Click to expand...
Beautiful work Eric! Welcome to the forum!
 
eric_brackenbury said:
My appologies I should have introduced myself at the beginning !
I took two metal shops in high school then in Art / trade school studdied precious metals in the Jewellery and Silver smithing trades. 9 years training as a goldsmith and diamond mounter, now since 1960 I have been in the trade 61 years. Covid slowed things big time but still do a bit to keep my hand in now. If it helps take a look at www.brackenbury.ca
Last couple of years started getting a few tools together in the garage where I fight for space with my competition Trials motorcycles. Been a fix it person all my life. Hope that enough to clue you in where I am at now.
Click to expand...
really beautiful stuff. Not going to show your site to the cruise director, could have an adverse effect on our retirement funds
 
Susquatch said:
A million years ago I had a trials bike. Never competed though. Just loved the go-anywhere ability. Had an enduro after that and missed the trials bike so much that I switched the enduro to knobby tires, and swapped in a giant ring gear and smaller drive gear.

What the heck is a triple stack?
Click to expand...
Triple Trees are the two units holding the forks ;-)
 
Mcgyver said:
Nice site Eric. I've been doing some lost wax casting recent myself, mechanical not jewellery, but there's often interesting overlaps with these metal crafts. Just got a Smith torch and have to learn to do the .001" gas welds now :)

Welcome to the forum.
Mike
Click to expand...
Thanks, I don't do lost wax but if I need castin I use cuttlebone all my other work is from scratch and I use propane and oxygen. yes many skills overlap and for me its getting back to high school pleasure denied my (not great teachers) plus I am an avid Trials motorcyclist so wil be updating some parts on my vintage bike and doing mods on my modern Moto Trials machine :)
 
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