My PM45M-PDF

[darkzero]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

I am looking at a pm45. In fact If Matt had one in stock it would be ordered by now. Your pictures and post are helping me decide what to do. Thanks

I'm loving it so far but I'm so limited on tooling right now to put it to real use. I am happy I went with a dovetail column though that's for sure. Matt sent me a pic showing that new ones will have a quill DRO option. The one in the pic he sent me is blue now & no longer all white.

 

[darkzero]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

The drawbar that came with my mill is a piece of junk. the 7/16" thread was cut so poorly I don't think I could have copied the quality it if i tried to. It doesn't thread into an arbor smoothly & the whole draw bar wobbles bad. The metric thread on top was so loose, makes me wonder if I could thread a SAE nut on it! It works but I wanted to make a replacement for it. Nothing complicated but here's how I made it.


Here's what I started out with, 1/2" 1144 & hardened flange nuts.

Threaded the 7/16"-20.

Then threaded M10 & M12. This is the first time I have single pointed metric threads. It sucks not being able to use the half nuts & thread dial.

Here's the replacement next to the old. Luckily for me the 1144 bar I got was undersize so it just barely fits through my spindle, no need to turn it down.

Turned down the flanges on the nuts. The M12 nut (19mm hex) was turned down so the spline wrench could pass over it. The M10 nut (17mm) was turned down so the 19mm wrench could pass over it. I also faced the bottom of the M12 nut's flange to ensure it was nicely perpendicular to the thread. I'm using a double sided 17mm x 19mm ratchet wrench.

Used a roll pin to secure the top nut.

Here's the new one next to the old one. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Very smooth & no more wobbles!

 

[514Ford]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

Very Nice!!!!!!!!

Matt was talking about quite a few changes when I spoke with him.

 

[darkzero]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

Very Nice!!!!!!!!

Matt was talking about quite a few changes when I spoke with him.

Thanks!

Please share! )

 

[514Ford]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

There was a discussion of a ballscrew option with either manual cranks or brackets for cnc and talk of adding more weight and a few other things. Dont know if he wants all his plans spread around lol

 

[darkzero]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

There was a discussion of a ballscrew option with either manual cranks or brackets for cnc and talk of adding more weight and a few other things. Dont know if he wants all his plans spread around lol

True that, didn't think of that. He did mention to me about a CNC version though.

 

[darkzero]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

I received the bracket from Matt last week that comes on the non power downfeed model so I was able to finish my quill DRO installation. Man does life suck without it!

Here's what I started out with. Rather than using a long bolt with a nut on the other end for the bracket clamp, I tapped threads on one end & drilled the hole larger on the other end for the bolt to pass through.

Here I am starting on the mount. I miscalculated & ended up not having to make it as big as I originally thought but at least I didn't have to start over.

Here I am making a 1" x 0.1" washer for the M6 bolt. Also showing how I like to catch parts whenever it has a through hole.

The finished mount.

I get a full 5" of quill travel. Can't wait to put it to good use!

I found a pretty great match for paint for my PM1236 in a rattle can. I was trying to match the paint for the mill & surprisingly it matches my lathe pretty damn good. This is what I used to paint the quill bracket. I'll probably repaint the mill using this in the future slowly parts at a time. The finish on my mill is not that great but oh well.

Thanks for looking!

 

[tripletap3]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

That is the exact paint I used to repaint my JET drill press. Be carefull it comes out of the can a warp 10 and goes everywhere.

 

[darkzero]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

That is the exact paint I used to repaint my JET drill press. Be carefull it comes out of the can a warp 10 and goes everywhere.

Haha, thanks for the warning! My left arm is white right now but that's because it was windy when I was painting it. But yeah, I don't like the tips that come on most Rustoleums. I guess that's what the 2X coverage claim is. It did work out good when I painted the gray on the stand & chip tray but the large white tips won't allow you to use a gun trigger attachment. I'm too lazy these days to use a spray gun, throwing a can away is so much easier!

 

[woodrowm]

Re: My First Mill - PM45M-PDF

Good afternoon - I am planning on buying the PM-45 mill in the near future. The stand you made for the base looks great by chance could you post the plans for it.

Thanks,
Woodrow