Taig Cnc Mini Mill

ok so I noticed that this board was for both the mini lathe and mini mill yet there was not a single post about a mini mill so I figured I would start one. If this isn't the right place feel free to let me know and move this thread as needed.

As the title says I now have a Taig mini mill done in full cnc including 4th axis and trunion table, using Gekco 540 controller. Motors are 280oz steppers.

I purchased it fully setup and ready to run through deepgroove1. com now to me there are a few items that need changed. The 4th axis mount is pretty much unusable (it's a sherline made) then the table for the Taig seams a lot smaller than it really should be as it's only 3.5" wide and yet the tooling can reach around 6" wide.

OK so thats the basic so far and I plan on doing a lot of other upgrade. and I guess I'll document them here. I will take pics and upload everything I can. I welcome input on everything.

planed upgrades so far.
Now larger work table.
4the axis mounting setup
extended travel in all directions
coolant system
quick change tooling
Auto tool changer with tool setter.
DC spindle motor
full enclosure with lighting.

well I have the new table drawn up and tooled out in mastercam. Just waiting for machine time to be open as it's more than likely going to take a few hours with 300 holes to be tapped in 10 32. and then 341 holes to be reamed at 1/4", not to include facing, contouring, engraving time. I'm expecting a few hours of just tapping as it's not a big tap and I would rather it take it's time a little. but at least thats drawn up and tooled out.

I forgot to attach it as a full image still figuring out this forum setup. so as you can see the smaller holes are tapped 10/ 24.. I mistakenly put 10/32 on the last post and I'm guessing that I don't have edit ability yet or I just don't see it. The larger holes are for 1/4" alignment pins which every jig and every fixture will get including the vices and 4th axis.

I thought seriously about the Taig Mini Mill, but realize it needed more machine than it provided. I liked everything else about it.

well I have plans to enlarge the working area. the table above is double the size of the factory table. 7" x 18" and the machine should have be able accessing it 5-6" x 18" in the factory setup I'm already working on adding 6-12" of y travel not worried about to much as of yet. I have used several of the Taig setups and they are not bad just have to figure out their limits and live within them. plus I managed to get a killer deal on everything. Taig with 4 axis tool setter digital probe all turn key plus a sherline 4400 lathe also turn key with a few extras like tool holders and everything I could think of for my first cnc setup for $4600 to my door all brand new. I already have two combo units that are manual if I need bigger.

I'm already ordering longer lead screw and loner ways then going to add a spacers to add the x travel.

Dracen knights said:

I'm already ordering longer lead screw and loner ways then going to add a spacers to add the x travel.

Click to expand...

I'm very interested to follow your progress on these additions, thanks for sharing!

Dave

Dave
No problem at all i have always found the smaller forums like this more helpful when its needed so i try and share what i can to make it so maybe someone else can try and improve my ideas for their own use. Once i finish up the cad/cam files for the 4 axis mounting plate i will more than likely start on my own design foe a draw bar system. As its one of the next main items i want taken care of even though i have 2 full sets of er16 collets...

Well I just ordered the needed stuff to extent the y to around 14".... I'll post pics and update once parts come in and stuff gets made.

Excellent, look forward to seeing the results, thank you!

No problem at all... oone of these days i might even power up the taig... lol its been sitting on the coffee table a few weeks now... and the most i have done is test the spindle motor...