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The “free” First LC-1 1/2 VS Mill

Rauce said:
The touch DRO has been great so far. So much faster to pick up an edge and position the tool than doing it the way I was before without a DRO.
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I have absolutely no idea why I didn't get a DRO 10 years ago.

It's an amazing add on to any machine with a moveable table or carriage.
 
Susquatch said:
Lots to notice in your photo.

Nice GS vise! Bet you love that!

Did you wire the drum switch to the F/Rev on the VFD?

What is that gizmo on the left side of your mill base?
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Ain't it fun "snooping" through other guys shops? There can be some real "ah ha!" moments
Susquatch said:
I have absolutely no idea why I didn't get a DRO 10 years ago.

It's an amazing add on to any machine with a moveable table or carriage.
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I swear that you guys are trying to drag me out of the stone age with all this new fangled gibberish........
 
Mark Pressling on YouTube did a video on quietening the quintessential VFD. It's basically the noise from the computer style fan that runs all the time. He installed a heat sensitive switch that trips on at 140 degrees ( or so). Good video, good creator and good little project. I bought a switch off Amazon for a couple of bucks but still haven't installed it. The really ironic thing is with his new mill he switched to a RPC which is orders of magnitude louder.

John
 
jorogi said:
It's basically the noise from the computer style fan that runs all the time.
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I don't even hear that noise in my TECO VFD. Maybe it's there, but I don't hear it.

The whine of the carrier frequency is another kettle of fish!

Ya, installing an RPC after going to all that trouble to quieten a VFD is ironic indeed! Too funny!
 
That is an insane waste of grease. I would use Lubriplate 105 or NLGI#1 in that box and replace the zirk with a plug. My Lagun recommends the Lubriplate or white lithium grease
 
jorogi said:
It's basically the noise from the computer style fan that runs all the time.
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On my VFD (Hitachi WJ200), there is a setting for the cooling fan. You can have it on constantly, or based on the heat sink temperature, so much quieter. Turns on only if the temp rises.

Check your VFD parameters.
 
thestelster said:
On my VFD (Hitachi WJ200), there is a setting for the cooling fan. You can have it on constantly, or based on the heat sink temperature, so much quieter. Turns on only if the temp rises.

Check your VFD parameters.
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Group 8 Setting #15 on Teco.

Default is 50 degrees C.

Could be why I don't hear my fan! LOL!
 
I wish I could find a fan setting on my 5hp mill VFD. It's an AC Lenz SM Vector and the fan never quits
 
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Glass scales. I could have gone with a shorter one, but it works anyway.
 

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Hi all! new here, this article brought me to join! thanks Rauce for the detail on the motor job you did on this! bought myself an First LC1 1/2 VS that also was 575v 3ph powered, with your article, and talking to the manufacturer (they replied in 2 days!!!) and chatting with the Ontario regional distributor, they recommended a rewind to a lesser voltage, rather than buying a motor to suit, so thats what I did, cost me $1100 to have the motor rewound to 230v, and then the vfd I bought could handle the rest, its a Telemecanique version, complete with the HF whine, mill came from a maint shop, not a machine shop, so it has little use, so I was eager to hear it run, and its super quiet! the Manufacturer sent me all the manuals they have, huge help, but not thorough, some details I just couldnt find. like how to tighten the quill return spring, install a larger sized cutter int it and the quill doesnt return fully. not a machinist by any stretch of the word, my last employer had this exact unit there for us maintenance techs to use, I'm a master sparky by trade, and a diesel mechanic, so this will come in handy, only so much you can do on a lathe. Thanks again to Rauce for this insight!
 

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grease monkey said:
Hi all! new here, this article brought me to join! thanks Rauce for the detail on the motor job you did on this! bought myself an First LC1 1/2 VS that also was 575v 3ph powered, with your article, and talking to the manufacturer (they replied in 2 days!!!) and chatting with the Ontario regional distributor, they recommended a rewind to a lesser voltage, rather than buying a motor to suit, so thats what I did, cost me $1100 to have the motor rewound to 230v, and then the vfd I bought could handle the rest, its a Telemecanique version, complete with the HF whine, mill came from a maint shop, not a machine shop, so it has little use, so I was eager to hear it run, and its super quiet! the Manufacturer sent me all the manuals they have, huge help, but not thorough, some details I just couldnt find. like how to tighten the quill return spring, install a larger sized cutter int it and the quill doesnt return fully. not a machinist by any stretch of the word, my last employer had this exact unit there for us maintenance techs to use, I'm a master sparky by trade, and a diesel mechanic, so this will come in handy, only so much you can do on a lathe. Thanks again to Rauce for this insight!
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Welcome to the forum from Lillooet BC.
Have no fear, we'll get you all sorted out and tooled up with more doodad's and gadgets than the average person knows exists. Might want to push any future retirement plans back a couple years. :p
 
Rauce, got a question for you? or anyone else with a First mill, my machine has a soft or light quill return spring, the manuals I have do not elaborate on how one might be able to increase tension on this, do You or anyone else have this info?
 
grease monkey said:
Rauce, got a question for you? or anyone else with a First mill, my machine has a soft or light quill return spring, the manuals I have do not elaborate on how one might be able to increase tension on this, do You or anyone else have this info?
Click to expand...

When you want someone to know you want them to read your note, put an "@" in front of their user name - @Rauce

You will know that you did it correctly because it will be highlighted.

With respect to quill tension, most full size mills like the Bridgeport and the First mills are designed to "balance" the quill. They should not return or drop. They should stay where they are put. Hope that helps!
 
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