Machining milling table

[T Bredehoft]

Aluminum table? slight warps, file it. Aluminum tables are not part of a precision machine, you can't hurt it with a file, can't hurt yourself, either.

 

[liteace]

Here's a picture of the table, I scraped it with straight edge, you can see the high points, the middle 3, 4, 5 where I think a vice has been bolted is the worst

I know you professional guys are prob thinking WTF!!, Its just a little project for me and I like things right

 

[jwmay]

Firstly I just wanted to say I didn't think it was a stupid question. If you want to read stupid questions, scroll through the stuff I've asked through the years. Ha!
So what is your end goal? You want to mill steel? Or are you planning to make plastic knife handles, or circuit boards? What is the necessary accuracy of the machine? I'm curious about your project.
Also, I say file it flat. Keep the file cleaned out as you go.

 

[liteace]

It'll be mainly for plastic and on the odd occasion aluminum, i'll probably build it then think, this is good and buy a proper bench mill or it'll be really crap and have to buy a proper bench mill, I know its not anywhere near heavy duty and it looks lightweight and flimsy in the photo's but its quite a large solid lump

 

[matthewsx]

It'll be mainly for plastic and on the odd occasion aluminum, i'll probably build it then think, this is good and buy a proper bench mill or it'll be really crap and have to buy a proper bench mill, I know its not anywhere near heavy duty and it look lightweight and flimsy in the photo's but its quite a large solid lump

Exactly why I suggested you wait until you get a spindle going. I have a mill/drill project and can give you my opinion on what you're attempting here but I'll just recommend not putting too much money into this.

Ask me how I know....

John

 

[liteace]

I'll just recommend not putting too much money into this.

Ask me how I know....

John

If we'd save all the money we've thrown at DIY / homebrew projects we'd probably have a big bag full of it now

I wont ask how you know as I also also know

 

[matthewsx]

Thought I'd have less than $500 into mine....

 

[matthewsx]

Homemade vertical mill drill

Well, I guess I'm gonna try to make myself a mill for cheap. I found this column on Craigslist for $80. And I ordered this spindle I can power with a VFD I already have. And I'm going to get one of these cheap x-y milling tables. And probably look for a really flat piece of C channel...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[homebrewed]

Your mill's usability totally depends on what you want to do with it, and how much time you are willing to spend on your workholding setup for each job. Even if the table is warped, you can shim the base of your vise to (eventually) get it flat, right? More-difficult to machine stuff like steel could be problematic due to the milling forces pushing the mill around but aluminum and plastic, probably doable, especially with light cuts.

The main thing is to get your machine to the point where you can work safely. If you can't, don't use it. Don't use a drill chuck to hold end mills, they are not designed to take the lateral forces. Don't climb mill on a machine with so-so backlash. Lock all axes that are not required to move. Don't forget to wear eye protection. This is NOT an inclusive list of what NOT to do on your mill

 

[liteace]

wrong thread

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