Misfit Manor - getting the CNC lather running again

That would definitely make it easier getting it up G.

Or fit a lift.

That is always an option!

From a working on the underside of the car perspective the height is great.

I think I'll end up making a jack adaptor though.

Those strattoses, (stratti?) Look awesome.

Because I didnt have enough things on the go, I decided I need to start sorting some issues on the milling machine. It has a truly monumental amount of backlash at the moment, about 50 thou. The main reason I want to sort this, is I have another workshop project in mind and it likely needs the mill working properly for it.

Plus, when I'm finding the issues I can measure some key features on the mill beds.

It needs a clean!

P1070015 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and in bits.

P1070016 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

this X lead screw has most of the issues.

P1070017 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I thought the nut would probably be worn or the threads worn... but they're not too bad really. What is an issue is the adjustable collar (which likely sets the back lash) has a broken retaining screw and I cant get it out. Meaning i'm going to have to do something to get it out.....

Y slide and nut

P1070018 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I thought the nut would be brass, but its (badly machined) cast Iron.

In terms of wear it looks in fairly reasonable condition. The ways are still nicely showing the scrape marks. I gave the rust areas a buff with some cleaning solvent and very fine scotchbrite as I could feal how raised the rust was and was making the ways tight.

P1070021 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

cleaned up the Y nut. Rough casting

P1070022 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

At the end of the day I also put the second coat of floor paint on.

First coat was just over half a can to do the floor area, which wasnt enought. Second coat was 1 and a bit cans. Looking a much better covering.

P1070024 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

old v's new

P1070025 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I also went for a slightly lighter colour (light grey v's the old was battleship grey)

I'll give it a few days to cure then take a look over it.

So it's now ocean grey? :⁠-⁠)

Today was a short day.

Finished cleaning up the mill and started reassembly. Y axis lead screw refitted

P1070031 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

cleaned up the thrust bearings

P1070033 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

refitted and gib adjusted

P1070034 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

mill bed cleaned up and refitted

P1070035 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

x axis bearing blocks and handles refitted, and gib adjusted

P1070036 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

This is the side that had the stuck pin (which was really a borken off drill bit) that had been mullered. I cleaned it up, redrilled it and tapped it for a countersunk bolt. I machined the thread off some of the bolt so it also acted as a shear pin.

P1070036 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I need to take it back out and remove another couple of threads to get the bolt to sit down further.

Bolted the vice back on and trued up to the x axis travel. I've also gotten fed up with swarf getting in the ways, so made a way cover.

P1070038 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Set up a piece of stock in the vice and gave it a mill in different directions / axis. Works so much bettter than before. Play is significantly reduced, all the slides / handles are much smoother. A decent improvement.

I then shuffled things round in the workshop

P1070039 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

so I can get into the floor on this side

P1070040 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

brushed hoovered the floor

P1070041 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Got the morris up as high as I can on axle stands

P1070042 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Then painted the floor and worked myself towards the door so I could get out..... which worked great... except i forgot to turn off a light so had to ninja myself across shelves and racks to get it turned off. I got there though

Will give it a week to cure off, then a second coat to do. Which will then leave the machine area to paint, but i may reconfigure that first to try and get more space.

I had a short afternoon, so decided to push on with making cabinets as the engine is now buttoned up again

Sheet

P1070084 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

sheet cut into bits

P1070085 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and another one

P1070087 by jono_misfit, on Flickr


checking before assembly

P1070086 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

starting assembly

P1070088 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1070089 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

cabinet will go in like so

P1070090 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

It'll be split into two halves with a shelf added in each and hinged doors.

More on it tomorrow.

I was back on with operation sort the workshop today.

I think i'll start with this....

P1070107 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Start emptying shelves and bench top.... to somewhere

P1070108 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

stripping out old wood worm filled shelves

P1070109 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1070110 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Cut some bits of 18m ply, extra storage unit will go here

P1070111 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1070112 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

start screwing the cabinet together

P1070113 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

fitting into position

P1070114 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I had to very slightly releave the top to clear two beams, but this was taking 10mm out the corner and doesnt break through into the cabinet.

afixed to the wall

P1070115 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1070116 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

start fitting strips to support shelves

P1070117 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and fitting the shelves

P1070118 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

The lower one the shelve is screwed down onto the support strips, and i've also put screws through from the sides to pull the carcass together solid

P1070118 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and marked out for more shelves. They are close together as they are sized for the stanley fatmax organisers i have

P1070119 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

They're just listed as 90 degree cabinet hinges.

I got cheap Chinese ones, but screwfix sell them as well.

Nice work with your cabinets! It makes a big difference to get more organised in the garage, makes life easier.
I have also got a bunch of Stanley boxes for keeping small stuff in, have had them for years and never gotten around to build a holder/cabinet for them.. Should add that to the list.

Best regards,
David