There's been a fair bit of topic creep in this thread, so I'm not feeling guilty at all in continuing the current topic.  Before I post over in the machinist area and get told that anything lighter than my car can't even slot a piece of aluminum gutter, I'm asking you guys. I already know this will likely be a poor substitute for a router and jig to finish lowers, but this way I can do more. I'm not sure what that might be yet, but I'm not stuck with a one trick pony. A darn pretty pony, but it still only knows one trick. Interesting Option, or Bravely Run Away!! Sorry - ( FB link ) Grizzly F0463 turned into CNC - and here's a pic for those who avoid FB Attached File The Grizzly page on it ( Linky ) |
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Quoted: There's been a fair bit of topic creep in this thread, so I'm not feeling guilty at all in continuing the current topic. Before I post over in the machinist area and get told that anything lighter than my car can't even slot a piece of aluminum gutter, I'm asking you guys. I already know this will likely be a poor substitute for a router and jig to finish lowers, but this way I can do more. I'm not sure what that might be yet, but I'm not stuck with a one trick pony. A darn pretty pony, but it still only knows one trick. Interesting Option, or Bravely Run Away!! Sorry - ( FB link ) Grizzly F0463 turned into CNC - and here's a pic for those who avoid FB https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1410/Grizzly_g0463_CNC_FB_MP_PNG-3453601.JPG The Grizzly page on it ( Linky ) There is absolutely nothing wrong with the size of that machine. The minor issue I only just switched over myself is it has open loop steppers which is fine if you don't push it too hard or put a big heavy vise on it. I can't recognize or see the board, I am assuming he is running an XP machine and Mach 3. I have a Harbor Freight mini mill smaller than that I have done hardened steel with being patient as well as 80 lowers manually but had a dro. |
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Am I on the right track, thinking that CNC makes DRO less important? Would this be the CNC motor controller? The add didn't specify what kind of CNC controls he attached.... and now thinking about it, does CNC controls mean no manual control? Attached File |
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Quoted: ... I already know this will likely be a poor substitute for a router and jig to finish lowers, but this way I can do more. Interesting Option, or Bravely Run Away!! Amish Bill you do know you will need electricity for that right?  but kidding aside, that size mini mill will easily handle a lower. I have the Wen - not sure if that was originally the grizzly equivalent or the one in the add is the step up version, but either way, plenty of power and capability to handle finishing an 80%, and in fact not a poor substitute but a step up. as a CNC that will make your job both harder and easier in different ways. a mini mill operated by you is pretty simple and you can mill in a way that "feels" right - meaning if it doesnt want to go that fast you can slow it down, if its going easily then you can speed up. too much work and overloading the motor, dial down the amount of heigh you are milling each pass. in a CNC you have to program that all and then it blindly does it to a fault. yes, it does eliminate the need for DRO since the steppers act as a coordinate system. yes, it can operate with exact precision. but you will have to program through fusion or something like fusion the mill paths for everything you want to do also. one other question i'd want to be sure of - is it converted to cnc by a kit or is it someone's project ? |
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Quoted: Am I on the right track, thinking that CNC makes DRO less important? Would this be the CNC motor controller? The add didn't specify what kind of CNC controls he attached.... and now thinking about it, does CNC controls mean no manual control? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1410/Grizzly_g0463_CNC_Controller_FB_MP_PNG-3453649.JPG |
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Quoted: My next project is making my own 2011 Frame from scratch out of Titanium. I assume you've seen Adam the Machinist's project on YouTube?  Failed To Load Title  Made a 2011, it’s much easier than a 1911 |
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Quoted: I assume you've seen Adam the Machinist's project on YouTube?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmjC0DpPheA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyy5KXrW9LUJust got done with this project and it was fun. About to coat it.  Got it coated. Also made the jig with some tweaks (thanks so much for that man!)   
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Quoted: I have not but will watch like a hawk now! Thanks! Just got done with this project and it was fun. About to coat it.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/289319/1000003840-3457366.jpg Looks like a fun one. He's worth watching although his tools are a bit out of reach of most hobby shops. He has some neat projects and some good discussions about designing for manufacturability that I found interesting. |
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Quoted: Looks like a fun one. He's worth watching although his tools are a bit out of reach of most hobby shops. He has some neat projects and some good discussions about designing for manufacturability that I found interesting. Quoted: You guys are making me really hope I can outbid whoever shows up at some random guy's garage next Saturday. Sorry, no frozen shrimp or toy trains - just a full heavy-hobbyist machineshop hes willing to let go semi-cheapish. Fingers Crossed.... |
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Quoted: There is absolutely nothing wrong with the size of that machine. The minor issue I only just switched over myself is it has open loop steppers which is fine if you don't push it too hard or put a big heavy vise on it. I can't recognize or see the board, I am assuming he is running an XP machine and Mach 3. I have a Harbor Freight mini mill smaller than that I have done hardened steel with being patient as well as 80 lowers manually but had a dro. Quoted: There is absolutely nothing wrong with the size of that machine. The minor issue I only just switched over myself is it has open loop steppers which is fine if you don't push it too hard or put a big heavy vise on it. I can't recognize or see the board, I am assuming he is running an XP machine and Mach 3. I have a Harbor Freight mini mill smaller than that I have done hardened steel with being patient as well as 80 lowers manually but had a dro. Quoted: ... I hope you get it man I'm going to break SOO MANY THINGS! (hopefully few of them are parts of me!) |
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Quoted: I didn't get the all in one deal. I did wind up making a deal on a Grizzly G4003g later that afternoon. I'll start a thread on that one later - maybe over the weekend. I'm going to break SOO MANY THINGS! (hopefully few of them are parts of me!) New tools are always fun. Do you intent to convert it to CNC? My next big tool purchase will either be a surface grinder or a lathe, both of which I intend to convert to CNC. |
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Quoted: New tools are always fun. Do you intent to convert it to CNC? My next big tool purchase will either be a surface grinder or a lathe, both of which I intend to convert to CNC. I already have a first project in mind that will require me learning boring, internal threading and facing. (little skirted stabilized spacer to unfuck the undercut thread and near non-existent shoulder on a 300blk JAKL barrel) |
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Todays project.. larger vise jaws for the 3" vise on my cnc router.. Attached File Cut from 1/2"x2" bar and milled flat and square on the mini mill. Cnc was used to cut the holes due to the weird sizes. Getting better there - 6 min program on the 1/8 square mill. Attached File These are carefully sized to clear the Z gantry.. although i need to work on wire mgmt. Attached File Much better support for an AR lower in the little vise. I might even cut the jaws with the hole pattern for the 4" also.. Also cut a mount block for the dial micrometer arm.. so i can ensure the work is square even on the router -which is harder than on the mill. Attached File |