The X and Z leadscrews on a Sherline mill are positioned so that they are protected from flying chips. The Y-axis screw, however, is exposed. On a manual mill, the operator is in constant attendance and can simply brush the chips away periodically, but CNC operations often run unattended for periods of time, and the […]
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A spring counter-balance for the mill Z-axis by Stan Figora
Shown here is Stan Figora’s spring tension system to counter the weight of the headstock, motor and speed control on the mill’s Z-axis. Being attached to the machine base, it moves with the machine and requires no permanent ceiling-mounted components. Stan is also working on a lead weight system to replace the springs. The […]
Counter-weighting the mill Z-axis by Harry Yingst
While not actually a project you can do WITH your CNC mill, here is a project you can do TO your CNC mill for better response on the Z-axis. One of the problems with a vertical mill unless you happen to be working in outer space is that gravity makes it a lot easier to […]
Cutting a Helical Gear by Joe Martin
Actually cutting a helical gear is an easy task for a CNC machine. It’s figuring out the math to write the G-code that is the difficult part. Joe Martin designed a helical gear to cut as a CNC demonstration at a trade show, but to do so he ended up writing a program to help […]
A CNC church in two parts by Tom Hubin
This project is an excellent example of how a number of CNC files and fixtures are used to handle all the various operations involved in making a multi-sided part. It’s not simply a matter of one G-code file that does everything. The files can be found by downloading the ZIP file linked in the paragraph […]
Adding DRO Handwheels to Stepper Motors
Introduction To install CNC stepper motor mounts on a Sherline machine, the handwheels must be removed. Sherline’s digital readout system measures handwheel rotation and translates it electronically into table movement rather than measuring table movement directly; therefore removing the special DRO handwheels eliminates the DRO function. Some CNC users prefer to have a DRO reading […]
Project: A machinist’s puzzle—CNC nested cubes by Tom Hubin
This is a project done on my Sherline 5410 mill using TurboCnc 3.1a. The photos below show various stages of the machining of the puzzle. It is simply a number of accurate boring jobs in a row. Directions for using g-code file 3cubes.cnc to machine 3 nested cubes. (File: 3cubes.txt copyright Tom Hubin, 26 November […]
Project: A CNC-machined spindle drawbar remover by Colin Dyckes
Colin didn’t send any written explanation when he attached these photos to his e-mail, but the photos pretty much speak for themselves. This part offers another take on the best way to remove a collet or chuck from the spindle without hammering on the drawbolt. Any method that uses slow, constant pressure to push the […]
Project: “Baby Beam” Steam Engine Model by Alan Marconette
The “Baby Beam” Steam Engine is almost finished. No, the final engine will not have SHCS (socket head cap screws)! It was inspired by the M.E. Beam engine published in ’59, which was scaled from the 1914 M.E. article by George Gentry. George did an accurate prototype model of the engine. I’ve heard that it […]
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