Power Draw Bar Install on PM TS Style Knee mill

Yes, I saw and read your response David, I was just not watching I guess and had missed it when you posted. Have a great Christmas
Alex
 
Happy Holidays to everyone! I just joined the Hobby-Machinist on Dec. 1st. and was pleasantly surprised to find all of this information on the installation of the Maxi Torque-Rite drawbar system with step pulleys.

Recently, my machinist friend and I purchased two of these Maxi Torque units (new, old stock in open boxes) and they were both TR 100 DB164, which I know is for Jet Model JTM4VS and Clausing Atlas machines (R8). I know these drawbars are not the correct length for our Bridgeport step pulley mills.

Based upon the information that is posted on this forum, I need to obtain DB-101 drawbars. I spoke with a gentleman at All Machine Parts the other day and he told me the drawbar would be $65 and the mounting kit is $85. Apparently the kit also includes a plastic alignment fixture. I know from looking at my mill that this mounting bracket must have a relief on the back side to clear the motor housing. The pictures you have posted also show a relief on the front side for the spindle brake.

I am entertaining the idea of making my own mounting plate & spacers & my own alignment tool. This is one of my hobbies, I’m retired, and I have this equipment sitting here and I should be putting it to good use. I’m also a 304SS nut – and “yes”, you do need sharp tools and a quiet mind”. I think it might be a good idea to capture these three 1-7/16” spacers in the bracket. My thought would be to add a shoulder at the top of these spacers and then slide them into the bracket with Loctite. This should simplify the assembly process. I would need to design my own alignment fixture.

In all of the photos that were posted, it appears the step pulley mounting bracket is “thicker” than the mounting plate on the Maxi Torque unit, which measures a little over .375”. If anyone can supply the thickness of that All Machine Parts Maxi Torque mounting bracket that would be very helpful.

I do have some concerns about the alignment of this assembly with the c/l of the drawbar/ spindle after this PDB assembly is bolted in place. I did see David’s post regarding the reworked drawbar bushing and I will have to take a look at that as well.

Did any of you have any alignment issues with the All Machine Parts pieces after the fasteners were installed in the belt housing? I ask this question because I spoke with someone that had recently installed this All Machine Parts kit on a J-Head and he told me he had to go back and open up the spacer mounting holes in the bracket after he had drilled and tapped the pulley housing and installed the fasteners.

Any input that you have would be greatly appreciated!
Steve
 
Steve: for what it's worth I've ordered the bracket kit (SP100 bracket kit from Machine Tool Products) thru KBC and it comes direct from the manufacturer of the Maxi-Torque unit "Machine Tool Products". I've not received it yet so not installed and my machine is a Taiwanese clone of a bridgeport so again maybe slightly different from yours. These guys (Machine Tool Products) were very helpful when I talked to them as what KBC had sent me was for a generic Variable pitch sheave drive style mill. It might be worth a phone call to these guys given that they manufactured the unit and likely know the most about mounting it to various machine styes. Phone number is 317-593-2034, they were very helpful.
Alex
 
Alex and David Best, thanks for the info here.

I'm finally getting around to installaing my Maxi Rite power drawbar I ordered from Precision Matthews a few months back.

I noticed there was no way to mount the unit without removing the cam gear thingy on top of of the head.

Watched a video from Clough 42 he installed one on a 935TV, but a different machine, finally found this thread which I see I am missing those stand-offs, I ordered the one for the 935TS model, but i didn't get the spacers so they probably sent me the one for the TS model by mistake..

Cheers,

David.
 
based on research and feedback from other users , I ordered my Maxi Torque-Rite directly from the manufacturer since they have to be customized to the specific machine / model. They sent me a schematic drawing and asked that I confirm specific dimensions when I placed the order. It came with all the necessary hardware and a drawbar dimensioned appropriately for my mill. There are countless horror stories on the web of people purchasing a “generic” version, or a model-specific version from the distributor of the mill, and being disappointed that the drawbar is too long/short and issues with mounting hardware. I wanted to avoid any hassle here which is why I went direct manufacturer.
 
davidpbest said:
based on research and feedback from other users , I ordered my Maxi Torque-Rite directly from the manufacturer since they have to be customized to the specific machine / model. They sent me a schematic drawing and asked that I confirm specific dimensions when I placed the order. It came with all the necessary hardware and a drawbar dimensioned appropriately for my mill. There are countless horror stories on the web of people purchasing a “generic” version, or a model-specific version from the distributor of the mill, and being disappointed that the drawbar is too long/short and issues with mounting hardware. I wanted to avoid any hassle here which is why I went direct manufacturer.
Click to expand...
I figured that PM would have the right kit for the 935TS so that's why I ordered from them, I've sent an email to them so hopefully they can sort me out.

This is the one I ordered.

Power Drawbar for Step Pulley Knee Mills – Precision Matthews Machinery Co.

www.precisionmatthews.com www.precisionmatthews.com

David.
 
I'm sure they will get it figured out for you. I ordered the same kit when I bought my mill and it came with everything needed and was relatively easy to install. Has worked great from day one.
 
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