Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3
Points: 9
Location: Seattle
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I just purchased a HF X2 mill and HF 7x10 lathe. I plan on purchasing the LMS Lathe tooling kit, but looking at the kit for the mini mill, it seems to have a lot of stuff I will probably never use. I don't really need a milling vise with swivel base if the first thing I am going to do is convert it to cnc. The 3" screwless vise of out of stock, I thought about the 2" vise and set of 3" parallels.
My plan is to purchase Hoss's DVD and one of his CNC packages, at least the raw materials package.
Eventually I want to do some type of ATC, so I was thinking the collet set in the LMS starter kit might not be needed. If I get the r8 Tormach collet and a Tormach 3/8 end mill holder, and stick to 3/8 shank end mills (like the LMS 6 piece 3/8 shank milling set), and 3/8 shank edge/center finder, I might avoid the expense of a collet set.
Anyway, my thought is to purchase the very minimum in tooling to convert my mill using the Hoss cnc conversion, and maybe after that experience, I would have a better idea for additional tooling.
I'm pretty sure I need the following:
1593 Dial Indicator and Magnetic Base (needed for tramming)
1240 Edge and Center Finder
1144 Clamping Kit, 7/16" T-Slot
1243 End Mill Set, 6 Piece 4 Flute
2454 Collet, 3/4" R8 for Tormach Quick Change
2434 End Mill Holder, 3/8" Tormach Quick Change
3769 Vise, 2" Screwless with 3" Thin Parallels
Any suggestions or advice?
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Rank: Administration
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Joined: 6/28/2008
Posts: 202
Points: 515
Location: Follansbee, WV
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A dial test indicator is good to have for doing some accurate setups. I use it for tramming and finding the center of holes. http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1249&category=1310310429here's a list of the tooling needed to complete the CNC conversion. http://www.hossmachine.info/X2_conversion_tooling.htmlHoss
Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here.-Roy Batty
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3
Points: 9
Location: Seattle
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Sorry, I missed that page. So much info on your site.
Thanks,
Thomas
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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 3/1/2010
Posts: 6
Points: 18
Location: Springfield, VA - USA
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Hey Thomas,
From my experience, buy what you need to do the job at hand. When I first started, I'd go through the sale tool catalogs and buy all kinds of neat gizmos that I never ended up using. Your best bet would be to find someone doing what you want to do and see how they go about it. We're lucky here, we have a metal working club with guys from beginners to experts. There's aways somebody you can help and someone to help you. Anyway, I would say move slowly till you figure out what you need. If you have plenty of cash, please disregard what I'm saying.
Good luck with you projects,
Tex
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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3
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Location: Seattle
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Tex-VA wrote: If you have plenty of cash, please disregard what I'm saying.
Ha, that wouldn't be me. In fact I'm sort of learning a lot of what you're talking about. I was looking at expensive ball and radius turning attachments, and then came across several home built versions that look superior. I have more time than money, so I've always been sort of 'why buy when I can build one' (and possibly improve it in the process). I did buy the lathe tooling package from LMS, just because I have a lot less experience on the lathe than I do on milling machines. I also got a combo Dial and Test indicator and magnetic base, and a 4-jaw chuck. It looks like I might try to get the lathe set up first, and make the belt conversion for the mill. Those gears in the mill sure are noisy. I purchased some cheap end mills off of eBay. I don't expect anything out of them other than some practice. For now I guess the only other thing might be a clamping kit.
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