Mill-mil-millllll!!!!

[Techno]

Did I say mill?
I made a boo boo on design. Making a new shifer- 3 of them and thought curves would be great. That is until I started milling the stupid levers.
This never seems to end. Already took several breaks and still not done:confused:
All on a rotary table, set the center for the radius. Pop in the roughing mill, change to the finish mill. Reset the table for center, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat repeat.
For something you can hardly see. I think I'm losing it!!!

I did change the 2 smaller shifters though, less to do.:rolleyes:
After the levers- the handles and the mount thing ta do dadd.
Well back to the mill stone. Almost done, I think, I hope, I pray.

[crazy horse]

This is what ya need fur that job. :D

[stokernick]

where do you dream up these ideas???Are you ready for the Romp,it`s been a couple years,huh???

[Dave S]

Crazyhorse that's a nice looking tool, what will it do for us??

[Techno]

Ya what is that thing?

I got this idea from some car show. They showed the the pedal areas and had this billety looking brake pedal shaft.
Thats the ticket!
But I don't like straight lines so had to curve it.- and had the bar stock.
The patterns for casting these were almost finished but looked like a bunch of bananas. NO GOOD.
3 hours today turning the handles. Not sure of the time but guess it was. Just groove them and hole them for the shafts.
Grooving- see what I mean:eek:
Got my wire for wiring the boat a few days ago and that wire shopping was a nite mare. Got it can start soon.
The list is endless and posted at the end of the couch, pick one and do it!!!

[crazy horse]

It's a Volstro rotary cross-slide milling head. You can do some interesting work with one. Now that so many shops use cnc mills these thing are for sale on Ebay all the time. The company still makes the same unit and most are used in mold and pattern shops or guys like me that make all kinds of differant parts. I looked for a while on Ebay before I bought this one. It was used in a optics lab and never milled anything more than aluminum, It's in like new condition. They cost over 3000.00 new but they go for around 400.00 to 800.00 on ebay. I paid for this one with two jobs.

[northeastcat]

That is one trick attachment , think I'll start the search for one myself.:cool:

[crazy horse]

There on Ebay all the time. Don't worry about buying the first one you see, In fact there one on there now. Volstro make several differant heads for mills. Just type in volstro and you should only pull up there heads and parts. Make sure it has the right taper for your machine and that the dia of your ram match up. Most of the units on Ebay are R8 with a 3.375 bore. Mine fit like a glove, The only thing that you will need is a xtended draw bar that most tool suppliers can get. I got one at KBC for about 20.00 bucks.

[crazy horse]

Here's a clear shot of mine mounted with the powerfeed belt installed. I need to cut some 3" dia. x 1/4 thick ss washers and this thing does them SO nice. I forgot to say that all the parts for those units are still available from Volstro.:D

[Bill Rogers]

Dave: nice setup. Never seen a Volstro head before. Thanks for posting the pics.

I like your DRO on the spindle travel (z-axis) - something I need to add to mine. I can't read the vernier gauge on the spindle very well (gettin' old I guess), so I raise/lower the table for z-axis adjustment and if I don't tighten the knee lock the exact same amount each time it will be off a thou or so - not good.

Techno: re-center, repeat, repeat, repeat. 3 hours turning handles ... I can relate. I think this machining stuff gets in your blood and you're hooked for life! back to the mill stone (LOL). Please post some pics when you finish

[crazy horse]

Bill, That's one of the reasons I installed the dro on the table. Plus it's fast and so accuract. I think glasses are on my list pretty soon, But at least I made it to 50. Your right about machining, I build parts for work so I can write this stuff off. Which is real good because I can't stop, It was to late a long time ago when I ended up with my grandfathers little South Bend 9X24 lathe.

[Techno]

Mines a toy compared to that thing. Even so it had to go in the basement and at 600lbs? wasn't a simple thing to do. Used the joists and come along to pop it on the stand.


That head would have helped somewhat. The battery clamp-no. I had to spin both handles to get the stinkin 2' arc. Still if it fits my machine..... maybe.
Handles are made just need the holes for the shafts and squaring the shafts for the holes:D
Then the actual mounting deal and the beauty cover for it.


Vernier? whats that? Just cut to the line or somewhere near it!
If I can't see it it don't matter.


and paint :( I've got a lot of aluminum to paint and need to get some of it done and out of the way, even if it don't match. Polished Kandied Aluuuuuuuuuminum:)

[crazy horse]

Just wanted to let you guys know that there are three Volstro rotory milling heads on Ebay as of 6-24-04. One of em might slide though cheap.;) I really love mine.