Since fitting digital vernier scales to my Chester Conquest ‘X2′ milling machine two or three years ago they have been prone to giving spurious readings from time to time due to the ingress of debris and lubricants into the read heads. Sods law also dictates that the most effective time to cause maximum mayhem is when I am midway through a machining operation.
When I came across an article in Mikes Workshop on the fitting of stops to an X1 mill I adapted the principal for my Conquest. My thoughts were that I could set up the stops using the existing digital scales. Once the stops were set I would not have to depend on the digital readouts.
Repetition of 'X' and 'Y' cuts whilst machining steam chest cavity.
A common milling requirement for newcomers to model engineering is the machining of the rectangular cavity of a steam chest. This calls for repeat milling in both ‘X’ and ‘Y’ directions to gain the depth of cut required. If you loose your digital readout half way through this procedure problems can arise.
The fitting of these stops gives a belt and braces solution to machining accuracy on the mill and we beginners need all the help we can get !
Whilst it was necessary to partly dismantle the table of the mill this was a good opportunity to give the mill a long overdue service and sort out one or two minor issues which had been niggling me relating to the operation of the readout scales.
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- Arrangement to the rear of the table. Here flats were skimmed on the top of the sliding stops to clear the underside of the machine vice.
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- View from the left hand side showing completed installation. Do ensure that you do not reduce the amount of table travel with the fitting of these stops.
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- 8mm stainless rod was used for the rail and the locking screws. Simple cross bar on screws gives good purchase when tightening.
Having recently given my Chester DB-8V lathe a really good all round service I felt that my mill would benefit from some similar TLC. There may be some pointers in the following photos that may be of assistance to others and also they do show the arrangement for the fitment and protection of my DRO system.
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- Mill table stripped down and cleaned up. The ‘Y’ travel stop arrangement has been refitted.
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- After three years service the slideways are treated to a long overdue coating of way oil.
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- The cross feed leadscrew is treated to a good dose of general purpose oil before refitting.
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- The cross feed leadscrew handle and dial assembly is bolted back into position.
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- You could almost hear the ways sucking up the long overdue application of oil.
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- With the table back in position the gibs are tweaked up to provide that balance between no slack and freedom to slide.
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- The ‘X’ travel vernier scale is reattached at one end only to the mill table.
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- Installation of the ‘Y’ travel vernier scale on the right hand side of the mill base.
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- The essential protective covers are reattached. Note gib locking screw to the right of handwheel.
Although not shown I originally fitted a clear plastic cover over the ‘Y’ axis vernier scale which caused certain problems. The issue was solved by fixing the cover to the bench top allowing the head to travel independently inside. Should anyone like clarification of this please drop me an email.