Z-axis PowerFeed for PM 833T

[MWCurl]

Hi Guys

I just bought a PM 833T mill. I am considering adding a Z-axis PowerFeed. I would appreciate comments by anyone who has experience with this mill and powerfeed. Thanks.

Mike

 

[mksj]

This has been discussed in other threads, most recently in this one:
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/833t-1340gt-questions.77607/#post-658515

Also checkout Rimspoke threads on his 833T

NEW PM-833T IN THE SHOP

I GOT MY NEW PM-833T TODAY . THIS MILL IS PRECISION MATTHEWS BEST KEPT SECRET . IT IS A LOT MORE MILL THAN MY PM-727M WAS ! IT OCCUPIES THE SAME SPACE THAT THE 727 DID BUT SINCE IT WEIGHS TWICE AS MUCH , I PLACED IT ON A 3/8" ALUMINUM PLATE TO SPREAD THE WEIGHT AROUND . IT LANDED WITH A...

www.hobby-machinist.com

The Z-axis drive sold by QMT for the 833T is made by Align, they are very good drives, I have them on my knee mill.

 

[RIMSPOKE]

THE Z AXIS DRIVE IS A MUST HAVE ITEM .

IT HAS VARIABLE SPEED SO YOU CAN USE IT FOR BORING
AND A RAPID TRAVEL TO MOVE THE HEAD UP & DOWN QUICKLY .

THE HEAD ON THESE MILLS IS PRETTY HEAVY AND THE COLUMN IS TALL .
YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD ONE EVERY TIME YOU CRANK IT UP BY HAND .

 

[TX COWDOC]

Did you install the Z axis feed yourself or did it come installed? I have the components and am looking for details on placement of the stop bar etc.

 

[RIMSPOKE]

MY PM-833T CAME WITH THE Z POWER FEED INSTALLED .
I DID DO ALL THE WORK TO INSTALL THE 3 AXIS READOUT .

THE LIMIT SWITCHES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COLUMN
AND I RAN THE WIRING THROUGH A DRAG CHAN THAT IS SHARES WITH
THE Z AXIS READOUT HEAD , MOTOR DRIVE & WORKLIGHT WIRING .

 

[nighthawkFmobil]

THE Z AXIS DRIVE IS A MUST HAVE ITEM .

IT HAS VARIABLE SPEED SO YOU CAN USE IT FOR BORING
AND A RAPID TRAVEL TO MOVE THE HEAD UP & DOWN QUICKLY .

THE HEAD ON THESE MILLS IS PRETTY HEAVY AND THE COLUMN IS TALL .
YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD ONE EVERY TIME YOU CRANK IT UP BY HAND .

Is it true this style of z movement is not quite as smooth as the power downfeed quill?

 

[RIMSPOKE]

THIS Z AXIS FEED IS AS SMOOTH AS SILK .
SO MUCH SO THAT I OFTEN LOCK THE QUILL AND USE IT FOR BORING OPERATIONS .
IT HAS A PRETTY QUICK RAPID TRAVEL AND CAN BE ADJUSTED DOWN TO A CRAWL .

THE QUILL FEED ON THE PM-833T IS BY A HANDWHEEL .
IT's NOT BAD BUT YOU BETTER LOOK OUT WHEN DRILLING BRASS !

 

[Tipton1965]

THIS Z AXIS FEED IS AS SMOOTH AS SILK .
SO MUCH SO THAT I OFTEN LOCK THE QUILL AND USE IT FOR BORING OPERATIONS .
IT HAS A PRETTY QUICK RAPID TRAVEL AND CAN BE ADJUSTED DOWN TO A CRAWL .

THE QUILL FEED ON THE PM-833T IS BY A HANDWHEEL .
IT's NOT BAD BUT YOU BETTER LOOK OUT WHEN DRILLING BRASS !

I'm not real impressed with using the quill on my 833 for dialing in depth of cut. Unless I'm drilling it stays locked. Using the Z axis hand wheel is much better. Lowering and raising the head is much like lowering and raising the knee on a knee mill.

I haven't tried using the power feed for boring yet. What type of material are you using in your boring operations? What is your depth of cut?

 

[RIMSPOKE]

Did you install the Z axis feed yourself or did it come installed? I have the components and am looking for details on placement of the stop bar etc.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF MY 4 FUNCTION DRAG CHAIN MULTIPLEX .
THE X&Y CABLES ALSO RUN THROUGH A DRAG CHAIN BUT THAT ONE IS MOSTLY ENCLOSED

THE Z AXIS READ HEAD IS ATTACHED TO THE BRACKET THAT ALSO HOLDS THE LIMIT SWITCHES ,
THEY RIDE TOGETHER ALONG WITH POWER FOR THE MOTOR AND WORK LIGHTS .

I MADE & INSTALLED THE STOPS THAT ENGAGE THE LIMIT SWITCHES .

 

[RIMSPOKE]

I'm not real impressed with using the quill on my 833 for dialing in depth of cut. Unless I'm drilling it stays locked. Using the Z axis hand wheel is much better. Lowering and raising the head is much like lowering and raising the knee on a knee mill.

I haven't tried using the power feed for boring yet. What type of material are you using in your boring operations? What is your depth of cut?

NEITHER WAS I , THE STOCK STOP IS TERRIBLE SO I MADE CHANGES .

MADE A NEW QUILL BASE THAT CLAMPS ON IN TWO SECTIONS .
IT HOLDS A 1/2-20 THREADED ROD THAT IS PULLED THROUGH A HOLE IN A PLATE I MOUNTED ON THE FRONT .

THERE IS AN INTELLIGENT NUT ON THE ROD THAT IS BOTH QUICK RELEASE AND HAS .001" GRADUATIONS .
IT GIVES ME A SOLID AND IMMOVABLE STOP .

I ALSO MOUNTED A MITUTOYO QUILL READOUT THAT SLIDES THROUGH ANOTHER HOLE IN THE PLATE .
THIS ATTATCHES TO THE QUILL BY WAY OF A MAGNET .

WHEN I AM USING IT , I CAN POP IT DOWN ABOUT 1/32" AND IT RIDES WITH THE QUILL .
WHEN I AM NOT USING IT , I CAN POP IT UP AND THE SAME MAGNET STICKS TO THE PLATE UNTIL I NEED IT .

ANOTHER ONE OF MY UPGRADES IS THE QUILL ARM .
THE SHORT LEVER UNLOCKS IT AND ALLOWS IT TO BE SPUN TO ANY ONE OF 12 STATIONS .
I GOT SICK OF THE 3 ARM MONSTER WHERE TWO OF THEM ARE ALWAYS IN THE WAY .
I CAN INDEX MINE ON THE FLY INSTANTLY WITH ONE HAND .

THINKING ABOUT PRODUCING THESE WHEN I RETIRE .