CNC MILL 5 with some more pics
by John
The broken X axis hand wheel. replacement from China for $a20, including postage….
The replacement folding handle hand wheels arrived from Hong Kong today. I was slightly disappointed in the quality, but then, for $a20 each, including postage, I am not complaining. They are close in appearance to the originals.
The new hand wheel fitted. On the table is a spare new hand wheel, and the broken one. I am considering machining the new one, to be closer in dimensions to the old one.
This is the pneumatic draw bar motor and spring loaded engagement gear. It is now functioning!! I rebuilt a badly corroded valve, and remade a gasket, and hooray, it works perfectly. Still to replace the cover which keeps the dust out of the device. That saves $a700+ for a replacement, and gives me confidence to work on these precision items in the future. The motor behind the draw bar motor is the main spindle motor, a 6hp 3 phase motor with a very noisy fan which is another job for down the track. One thing at a time. We are getting there. I have contacted Extron Corp in Taiwan, in the hope of getting a wiring diagram, so I can look at the oil distribution pump and controller and locate the relay, which I suspect will be the culprit. It does feel good to have fixed 2 of the 5 or 6 problems with this machine.
johnsmachines 
Excellent progress. The hand wheels in the pictures look nice. The folding handle seems to be a nice option. But I fully understand the desire to make something close to original.
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There is nothing small about the machine is there?
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Only my expertise and knowledge of CNC.
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When you have finished your machine project John, why not turn to another challenge. I’m not sure whether you saw the series recently on ABC in which for each episode they took apart old British cars, and rebuilt them as new. A very good series which I enjoyed. The cars included a mini, a ford escort, a triumph, etc. My first new car in Oz (1978) was a Triumph 2000 TC, which was the worst car I have ever owned. But it strikes me this type of exercise would make great use of all your fab equipment as well as present many challenges. I have an old (one of the first) Saab convertible (unregistered) sitting in our yard which you could have as a starter?
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A kind offer Stan, which I will consider.
I have several projects on the go, which will keep me busy for a year or two. Not sure about after that. (CNC mill, Ridders Stirling engine, triple expansion marine engine, traction engine, plus painting and finishing the steam engines previously made). Plus SWMBO has plans for me to get involved with her restorations-renovations. Plus our own house is overdue for a number of repairs and a major renovation of kitchen-living area. (I think that I might cancel my retirement and go back to work full time for a rest)
Also, as you know, I have a plethora of vehicles at present (or is it a cornucopia or an excess, or all of the above).
So I am not sure about taking on another vehicle. But if you decided to take on the restoration, I would be happy to do any machining required.
John
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