Smithy Lathe/ Mill CNC Conversion

Showing off the CNC conversion of my lathe/ mill combo machine

[@ROMULOSALES]

Wonderful project, congrat!

[@Evezor]

Thank you

[@extratesti]

This is very cool. Nicely done! What are you using for your control?

[@SmokyMtnRed]

I am trying to convince myself to do a similar build. I can basically get a brand new Midas 1220 LTD.

[@nickoemord]

Cool stuff im getting one of these mills in to my garage soon looking to do something similar. What torque rating did you go with on the stepper motors for the x y and z?

[@dejayrezme8617]

Wow nice conversion. How about a CNC mill that has a fourth rotary axis that is used for CNC milling but also lathe work? So the lathe chuck could spin fast or be indexed for CNC milling. I think I saw something like that and it seems like a nice compact setup for both. I'd be curious if you considered that and what are your thoughts on that? Thanks for the video!

[@Evezor]

Hey Dejay, are you the same Dejay I think I remember speaking with some time ago? I'm not really sure what question you're trying to ask exactly. I did not make this machine from scratch as it used to be a manual machine, I only added motors to make it into a cnc machine. I like the idea, but the way this machine was designed both spindles are fixed and the mill spindle only moves in Z direction. I have no definitive plans for this machine, but it is a nice little tool for small production runs. I don't mind making jigs and whatnot like the 4th axis clamp thing that I made for this specific job, and in the near future, if I were to make any next upgrades, I think I would like to have VFD's on each spindle next. Other than that I haven't really put any thought into it. Thanks for the question and the input!

[@dejayrezme8617]

@@Evezor Yeah we chatted when you launched your kickstarter :) I still want to build cool things but life gets in the way. A mini CNC mill would be great for milling aluminium parts. And a 4th axis / lathe combo would be awesome. Oh This Old Tony actually made a video of what I'm thinking about. I love his videos, you can see it in action at min 18: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3K9lpxprNV1m5I PS: Not sure what motor he uses but I think if you'd use one of those fancy DC motor servos it might have more holding torque.

[@Evezor]

@@dejayrezme8617 Oh yeah, I see now. For 4th axis stuff I'd have to attach a 4th axis on the bed, much like the current setup I have in the video above. Or I would have to make multiple setups, like one in lathe and another in mill.

[@dejayrezme8617]

@@Evezor I have to watch his other videos, I somehow skipped them :D I think if you'd use one of those fancy DC motor servos it might have more holding torque.

[@scottsutton7357]

Awesome Conversion. I have the exact 3 in1 machine and just acquired the ball screws for the X and Y axis to start the CNC conversion. Did you have to do anything to the Z axis to improve rigidity/accuracy or just add the drive motor?

[@Evezor]

Thanks. No, I just took off the handles and added the pulley. Before I decided what I was going to do I took out the clock spring that returns the spindle to Z+. I wouldn't recommend doing that as now when power is released from the Z stepper driver the spindle will just fall down. Just means I need to add Z home calls often mostly. Sounds cool and good luck with yours!!

[@davidromanoski3414]

Do you have any plans for this. I have a similar machine that I wish to convert

[@richmarsh5839]

Great Job, do you have any information on the ball screws. I have the 1220 and working on this conversion

[@Evezor]

Not specifically no, sorry. They're just regular ballscrews that I machined to fit. They were 16mm diameter if memory serves. Hope that helps!

[@popsfoodboat4941]

I have the same Smithy. Where can I get these ball screws, couplings and stepper motors?

[@Evezor]

They're standard. I honestly can't say where I got these from. You can get all this stuff from any reputable diy cnc place. You're going to need a controller anyways. I'm using a homespun board with some custom firmware so I won't be much help in that area, so sorry there too.

[@Mac-mu9cs]

Where do you get all the supplies needed for such a conversion and how much does it cost

[@Evezor]

Some parts were made custom, others ordered online. I didn't spend all that much. Probably the most expensive parts were the ballscrews.

[@Mac-mu9cs]

@@Evezor whats a good place for ball screws and motors

[@popsfoodboat4941]

Do you have a print file for that spindle gear on the mill

[@Evezor]

all source files can be found here cad.onshape.com/documents/20bee6f318a0236cb44b001a/w/32068df17ff735e4c16675a7/e/53c4c27b9f7ca39e6fc175d3

[@popsfoodboat4941]

​@@Evezor Thanks for the link. Great job on the build.

[@Acrosolutioncom]

Would you please share some details and files? What length x and y screws did you use?

[@Acrosolutioncom]

I’m have the same Smithy and want to convert it

[@Evezor]

I believe they were 12mm ballscrews

[@Evezor]

This was a one off design and I cannot comment on the accuracy of anything. I'm a machinist by trade and just did whatever I felt like in the moment. Whatever sizes I used were either arbitrary or whatever would fit into the pretapped holes that already existed. Here are the files I used if they're any help. cad.onshape.com/documents/20bee6f318a0236cb44b001a/w/32068df17ff735e4c16675a7/e/53c4c27b9f7ca39e6fc175d3 Good luck!!

[@scotto8183]

@@Evezor thanks a bunch, appreciate you!

[@mickloiu2664]

For sale??

[@djfriz1]

Can you tell me the diameter of the quill timing pulley or ratio of the two z axis pulleys? I am converting a 3-in-1 as well.

[@Evezor]

It's 80 teeth for an XL belt. It's about 130mm in diameter I cannot remember the number of teeth on the small pulley sorry, but it did come from mcmaster carr if that helps.