Easy Mill Power Feed

[@andrewyellstrom2585]

I can’t imagine working on mills for decades and then just now learning this. Glad KZbin is here while I’m young

[@RonCovell]

You know, I had this idea for years before I actually made it. Now I wish I had done it years ago!

[@jameslezak8179]

Me too! In 40 years of BP type mills, 2 with power on all 3 axis, probably no more than 6 with x and y power feeds. What a simple solution! Lol! Shame on me!

[@maruthupandian3728]

demonstrating "beauty in simplicity" very well.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks - often simple is good!

[@jonathan1427]

If you add a perpendicular length of rod, you can spin the now T-shaped adapter with the same powerfeed tool as the X and Y handles. That way you don't have to rechuck different tools into the drill. You might also have enough leverage to fine-tune the knee height at the end of the move.

[@RonCovell]

Great idea!

[@someoneelse7629]

@@RonCovell and add U formed ends to the T-rod for a less backlash version of the table driver

[@jamesa7506]

Pretty handy, easy to make, and I've got all the materials to do it, thanks Ron! Now... time to get a mill to use it on... 😉

[@RonCovell]

Yep, you'll need a mill to make this project worthwhile!

[@danmurphy5660]

We are also honoured that you want to take the time to show us the tricks that took you a lot of years to learn.

[@RonCovell]

Hey, you gotta pass the good stuff around!

[@adambergendorff2702]

Ron you are such a brilliant man, yet such a patient teacher

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you enjoy my videos!

[@2dividedby3equals666]

Definitely the simplest solution I've seen so far. Very easy to make. Thanks for sharing Ron, take care!

[@RonCovell]

You bet!

[@nasty509ss]

Nice simple method for mill owners who don't have a rotary table,I like it.

[@RonCovell]

I do own a rotary table, and I considered making a 9 pin collar - but after imagining a drive with a single dog, I went that way, and I don't regret it.

[@jefflyon100]

I used a similar style drive for my z axis. I've since changed it to engage in three places instead of just one after a freind of mine broke one of the teeth on his Bridgeport style mill (off shore copy). I don't believe it would have happened on a real Bridgeport though, mine was fine for 6 plus years driving in one place before I changed designs. The way the tooth sheared off on the copy suggested the steel was very brittle. Thought this was worth sharing for any Bridgeport clone owners.

[@RonCovell]

Wow - I'm shocked to hear that. Thanks for reporting this incident - we certainly don't want people shearing teeth off their machines!

[@BradKaboord]

Please more videos on simple shop issue solutions. To often a creator wants to show there skills and use them for a solution that could be simply fixed. Cool is cool, but simple trumps cool.

[@RonCovell]

I LIKE simple!

[@jonathan1427]

"Keep It Simple, Stupid," excellent advice, hurts my feelings every time.

[@babcockcopper]

Another great video. I would love to see a video tour of your shop. I love how you gear your videos to the diy people. You are truly the finest craftsman out there. For new people learning the trades you need to do a bio with pictures and past and present projects.

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad you liked my latest video, and a few people have requested a shop tour. I may do that at some point. You bring up another good point - KZbin has given me a worldwide audience, but people just getting to know me through short videos often don't realize I've been doing this work for over 50 years, and that I have some 'cool' projects under my belt!

[@babcockcopper]

@@RonCovell you really do have some amazing projects. I think those 50 plus years and your progression will inspire people. I got my first book from you when I was 16. I'm 47 now and my career progression is do to people like you and hard work.

[@spiderbrandt4066]

I 'm a retired Fitter and Turner and I have never seen that done before , love it , as all ways Ron you did it again

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@LikeDotAudio]

The world is better because of your videos. A+ Ron

[@RonCovell]

Wow - that's a high compliment, indeed!

[@AL6S00740]

Really just amazing. Then you have someone that really take pride in his job. And simplicity is everything. Pure gold. Keep it up sir.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you! Will do!

[@KellyVanHalen]

But I just LOVE lowering the knee down to drill a pilot hole, only to bring it right back up to use and endmill in the hole! Fantastic idea Ron, keep it up!!

[@RonCovell]

Well, it is good exercise to work that knee up and down manually!

[@Gamerock82]

Great idea, Ron. Simple and works perfectly. 10/10

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like it!

[@hawksteak]

Now I know what I'm making tomorrow. I don't have tube so I'll turn it on the lathe. Thanks Ron

[@RonCovell]

You could do an even better job by turning the hub on a lathe.

[@crazy031089]

I have never seen such beautiful chrome handels on a mill or lathe. You sure love your equipment and clearly takes pride from what you do (hope this translate well, English is not my first language)

[@RonCovell]

Well, thank you for the compliment. For what it's worth, my milling machine is an import copy of a Bridgeport, and I think most machines of this style come with chrome handles. Your comment reads perfectly in English, so your translation is superb!

[@ypaulbrown]

Outstanding solution Ron, Cheers from Florida, Paul

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Ccoolbeans101]

And we love the videos you make, and are honoured that you make them for us!

[@bigtrev8xl]

I've done a similar thing for my Pallas mill, but I use an Allen key to fit in the drill chuck, I've dozens of odds and sods of Allen keys, I've collected/picked up over the years 😊😊👍

[@RonCovell]

How great that you found an excellent use for one of your extra Allen keys!

[@jerekirkpatrick2092]

Great one. I've been wanting to make one of these adapters for my mill but didn't want to spend the time setting up the mill to cut the slots. A fabricated adapter is now on my list of things to do (after this weekend). Jere

[@RonCovell]

Jere - One of my commenters informed me that you can buy these for about $34 - in hardened steel. Free shipping from Amazon: www.google.com/search?q=bridgeport+knee+drill+adapter&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS648US648&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiatdrj3J3zAhXWtp4KHWQdDA8Q1TV6BAgBEHY&biw=1536&bih=723&dpr=1.25 Looking forward to the Metal Bashing Meet next weekend!

[@comictrio]

Simple solutions are always the best.

[@RonCovell]

I agree!

[@homemadetools]

Nice work. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week :)

[@RonCovell]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@novastar7654]

A broken handle would be a good easy option too. Love the videos.

[@RonCovell]

Great point! I haven't broken any handles yet, but it could happen!

[@novastar7654]

@@RonCovell I always had extras around, we would use air drills and impact guns back before batteries got so good.

[@patrickholmes001]

I'll be making one of these tomorrow. Thanks for the idea!

[@RonCovell]

You won't regret it.

[@jaketarren]

A very wholesome ending!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@jameslezak8179]

Great, simple solution, Ron! That odd-ball face groove was a "too difficult", read time consuming, to take time out to make. 👍😎. Thanks for your time and sharing!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked the video!

[@yt66228]

I machined mine. It was fairly straightforward forward.

[@RonCovell]

Great!

[@robertmarx8946]

That's a great idea! I get tired raising and lowering the knee on my mill every time I want to change a collet or end mill and it takes so long...

[@RonCovell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yodasbff3395]

As usual an excellent idea and and an excellent execution of the idea, nice 👍.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@gofastwclass]

I guess I know what my next milling machine project will be. Thanks Ron!

[@RonCovell]

Go for it!

[@johnspargo5876]

Thank you Ron - kind regards from John Spargo in Cape Town

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, John. I'm so glad my videos reach other continents!

[@markhedquist9597]

Shoot, we're honored to learn from a master.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@mduvigneaud]

Ron, this is awesome. Thank you for sharing! You have a lot of amazing expertise.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@Ryan-dz3jo]

Thanks Ron, love your work 👍

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@hamdiklcarslan4435]

beautiful working

[@RonCovell]

Thank you! 😊

[@JohnOgilvie-d6h]

Thanks for that so easy! John Ogilvie.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@henryworkswoodandmetal]

Great stuff!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you think so!

[@tracylemme1375]

One project I have my apprentices do is to make a dog clutch adaptor for the Bridgeport knee. It is actually quite simple. With an indexing head or table. I think it is a good instructional project.

[@RonCovell]

I'm sure that makes a great project!

[@mxcollin95]

Awesome...now all I need is a Bridgeport mill to stick it on. 👍

[@RonCovell]

Maybe one will fall in your lap!

[@mxcollin95]

@@RonCovell amen! Lol 👍

[@TheIronHeadRat]

Thanks

[@RonCovell]

No problem!

[@aerogfs]

Outstanding!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like it!

[@johnmathews3027]

nice work,Great video

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@R2_the_lime]

Awesome work!! Thanks for the content

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@outsidescrewball]

Enjoyed….simple/smart…add/weld a nut on the tube then you can use a wrench to make small adjustments without removing the drill and installing the stock crank (liptonized)

[@RonCovell]

Great tip! And this is the first time I've heard the term 'Liptonized' - presumably named after Tom Lipton. I've known Tom for 20 years, and he's a great guy - on many levels!

[@outsidescrewball]

@@RonCovell yes, Tom is a friend and mentor, that was his modification to his driver, I take no credit for the idea....best regards

[@RonCovell]

OH - I didn't know Tom made a video on this. I'll have to look for it.

[@chriscoesbodyshop]

Great job!

[@RonCovell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Yea Baby 👍🏻

[@temyraverdana6421]

Thanks, very useful idea!

[@RonCovell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bruceang82]

I just bought a drill adapter that has all cogs for $35 on eBay, quality was fantastic

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for letting me know. Honestly, when I made this video, I didn't know that product was available!

[@d00dEEE]

Could you put a cup on the outside of that new one, with some long fingers and make it "universal", so you don't have to swap between the traverse and knee tools?

[@RonCovell]

Maybe!

[@AndyFromm]

Very nice

[@RonCovell]

Thanks

[@thoperSought]

that's excellent! is there any disadvantage to having only one dog? as for adding more, I assume that would risk distorting the tubing a bunch from the extra weld heat?

[@RonCovell]

Of course more dogs would make the driver more robust, but it's pretty hard to imagine anything breaking, even with only one dog.

[@nikolan3148]

Yes, good tool!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@BensWorkshop]

Interesting tip.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you think so!

[@ВасилийСмирнов-ж9ш]

Хорошо придумал. Возьму на заметку!

[@RonCovell]

Спасибо большое

[@Tammy-un3ql]

[@jimmyrk3]

Cool idea.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you think so!

[@dennisschickling2249]

As a Mechanic I have Broken Sockets and Extensions. Just Weld one to the End. On your Drill use a Adapter for whatever Drive Socket or Extension. You can make All over them the Same Drive.

[@RonCovell]

Cool idea!

[@mr.ranyhomemade2466]

So cool how make more easy to mill

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@ykmalachi]

I've gotten an extra nut or handle and welded a 1/2 drive junk socket to them. Works about the same.

[@RonCovell]

Great idea!

[@adrianwilliams763]

If Ron says “this is fantastic “, then who am I to argue?

[@RonCovell]

Yes - it sure beats hand-cranking the knee up or down a significant amount!

[@N.Cognito]

My mill has 3/4 nuts that hold the x and y handles to the screws. I welded a dog to the side of a 3/4 socket and made a all in 1 feed piece.

[@RonCovell]

Great!

[@jamessimpson5296]

Attach a similar device to the lead screw on my lathe- and cut any thread know to man. Although some serious synchronizing would have to be achieved! HA! Good idea- I will use this idea in my shop. Thank you!

[@RonCovell]

Yeah - I'm not sure how useful an irregular thread would be.

[@jamessimpson5296]

@@RonCovell How about a thread that starts out fast, then torques with finer threads when reaching the cinch-down final torque. Perhaps an ultimate sheet metal screw! I am only trying to think out of the box. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Here at ODD Parts Fabrication- this sort of thinking has earned daily receipt of parts for restoration for over 85 Ferrari Maserati dealerships around the world. We are very busy. The only thing that we do not fix is marriages! HA! Thanks for your help and Inspiration. IE- we repair Vacuum canisters using a bead roller.

[@RonCovell]

Well, I must say that your thinking is definitely creative!

[@osgeld]

power feed means its going to be a constant feed rate vs load, not some guy doing the elvis on a de-walt that has a 256 position digital pot hooked to its trigger .. as far as knee adjustments if its a bridgeport compatible castle nut arrangement, they already make them for peanuts on the usual sites ... we don't have a welder at our ship and its like 30 bucks online

[@RonCovell]

You are correct that this really shouldn't be classed as a power feed, because it's too fast for most cutting, and the speed isn't consistent enough. I didn't know that a ready-made adaptor was available for the knee. That's pretty interesting!

[@nefariousyawn]

Just imagine all the shoulder and elbow strain that could have been prevented! I've never actually seen how slow the knee moves on those mills, and I think I would go insane if I had to do routine work with one.

[@RonCovell]

Yeah, it's a real pain to move the knee large distances by hand.

[@pjmccormack4954]

nice

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@MatthewScott]

I just need a mill now

[@RonCovell]

Well, when the time comes, I suggest you go for it!

[@darty367]

Clever

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@dennisschickling2249]

#STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY 🇺🇸

[@Alanbataar]

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@joell439]

👍😎👍

[@angst_]

They're called knee mill because you always bash your knee into the lift handle.

[@RonCovell]

HAH! That's a good one!

[@occasionalmachinist]

Nice one Ron. I would suggest that you need to lubricate your mill ways though as they look a bit dry, and that certainly lessens the amount of effort needed. I use Shell Tonna myself although there are plenty of other suitable oils out there. Especially for machines that are not used often there is a temptation not to lube that often, relying on 'I did that last time' but dust (especially wood dust) will dry the sliding surfaces out. I use dust covers for that reason too.

[@RonCovell]

You bring up a very good point. My machine has a 'one shot' lubricating system, but I suspect that some branches of it have clogged up, because even after pushing the handle, some of the ways remain dry. Thanks for the tip, and I'll look into it!

[@BuckJolicoeur]

First Comment!!! YAY!!!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for chiming in - again!

[@BuckJolicoeur]

@@RonCovell I watched it with my 9yr old son. He was impressed with realising you can make your own tools and adapters.

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you are opening the eyes of a youngster to what he can do with his head and hands!