I've had a later one for about 12 years, a handy little machine to have! A couple of suggestions, firstly lower the head right down to the job using the main pillar, use the down feed only to go down with the cut. Every bit of help for keeping it rigid helps. Lock the table and the spindle when cutting, only leave the table able to move in the direction you need to make the cut, once again to help rigidity. The chattering from the head you're getting, especially at the beginning and end of each cut is due to loose key ways at the top of the spindle connecting it to the head. I've just made new ones for mine from brass and lost 90% of the chatter. A windscreen wiper motor works well for a power feed. I have a two speed one and use a round rubber vac. belt to drive a hand wheel. Many others use windscreen motors for machine feeds, have a look at other videos for ideas if you're interested. A guide to keep the head from turning when raising or lowering it from the main pillar will make life much easier for you, fortunately the previous owner of mine made one. Enjoy it! Colin
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I'll definitely look at replacing the spindle keys once I've stripped her down for a clean and repaint. Thank you very much for that tip, the knocking has been driving me crazy. Ah yes, the old "swinging head" syndrome. I have indeed designed an alignment jig to tackle that, just not got round to making it yet :p
Thanks Gary :) After I've finished my current build, my next project is going to be marking the mill's leadscrew dials as they were left blank by the original builder.
It's been fun trying to work out what pitch the lead screws are, finally nailed it down the other day with help from the good folks on the DW yahoo group.
I've had a later one for about 12 years, a handy little machine to have! A couple of suggestions, firstly lower the head right down to the job using the main pillar, use the down feed only to go down with the cut. Every bit of help for keeping it rigid helps.
Lock the table and the spindle when cutting, only leave the table able to move in the direction you need to make the cut, once again to help rigidity.
The chattering from the head you're getting, especially at the beginning and end of each cut is due to loose key ways at the top of the spindle connecting it to the head. I've just made new ones for mine from brass and lost 90% of the chatter.
A windscreen wiper motor works well for a power feed. I have a two speed one and use a round rubber vac. belt to drive a hand wheel. Many others use windscreen motors for machine feeds, have a look at other videos for ideas if you're interested.
A guide to keep the head from turning when raising or lowering it from the main pillar will make life much easier for you, fortunately the previous owner of mine made one.
Enjoy it!
Colin
Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
I'll definitely look at replacing the spindle keys once I've stripped her down for a clean and repaint. Thank you very much for that tip, the knocking has been driving me crazy.
Ah yes, the old "swinging head" syndrome. I have indeed designed an alignment jig to tackle that, just not got round to making it yet :p
Skookum-lookin' or not, it chooched jus' fine....
Rock on, the DW!
Thanks Gary :)
After I've finished my current build, my next project is going to be marking the mill's leadscrew dials as they were left blank by the original builder.
Good of him to leave you some interesting jobs to do!
It's been fun trying to work out what pitch the lead screws are, finally nailed it down the other day with help from the good folks on the DW yahoo group.
Yeah - I'm on that forum too. Usually seeking advice rather than offering it, I have to say...