Adding Power down feed to RF30?

[Investigator]

just wondering if there is any way to add a power down feed to an RF30 or RF30 clone?

 

[mikey]

Rong Fu made a model RF-31-N2F that came with power downfeed and a reversing switch that allowed power tapping and boring and drilling with power feed. The mechanism sat on the right side of the head but had a two-handled quill feed; those handles could be moved toward the head to engage quill power down feed. Pulling the handles outward reversed direction of the power feed.

I would love to get my hands on the parts to do a conversion because they are the same machine but with the additional hardware. Since this model is out of production, parts are going to be difficult to find and expensive if you do fine it. If you can find a junked N2F then grab it for the power feed mechanism. I wonder if Grizzly parts would fit?

Stefan Gotteswinter also did a DIY version with an outboard motor and timing pulley arrangement. You'll have to search for it.

I'm doing some boring right now and I sure would like to have power feed, too. Not likely to get it, though.

 

[Nigel123]

Made a setup for my mill drill years ago.Took the crank wheel off for the fine feed and installed a spur gear and bolted a handle on it
Mounted a right angled drive DC variable speed with reverse spring mounted to disconnect for manual feed
Looks a little crude(made from junk parts) but works great
I am away from the shop for about a month so cannot show pics if you want any more info let me know

 

[GreatOldOne]

Check out Cuppa Joe

he has a series of 4 vids where he build his own power downfeed for his RF30.

 

[GreatOldOne]

Here the link to Steffans creation:

 

[Investigator]

Here the link to Steffans creation:

That is sort of what I was thinking, thanks! I'm going to study that second video closely. One quick question which, might be answered in the video, what type of motor should I be looking for? Stepper motor and controller, or variable speed DC and controller?

 

[Nigel123]

2nd video is what I did 20 years ago but wanted to keep the graduated collar.Have since installed a DRO
Back then the stepper motors were expensive so I used dc with variable speed
I use a 32vdc drive which powers the y axis, down feed and rotary table(I hate cranking manually)
The motor is a little permanent magnet right angle gear drive and works very smooth
Worked with stepper motors years ago in the trade .They are really good maybe someone has a line
on some decent one at a good price

 

[Holescreek]

just wondering if there is any way to add a power down feed to an RF30 or RF30 clone?

Mine came with all that stuff and I puled it all off to CNC the machine.

 

[Investigator]

2nd video is what I did 20 years ago but wanted to keep the graduated collar.Have since installed a DRO
Back then the stepper motors were expensive so I used dc with variable speed
I use a 32vdc drive which powers the y axis, down feed and rotary table(I hate cranking manually)
The motor is a little permanent magnet right angle gear drive and works very smooth
Worked with stepper motors years ago in the trade .They are really good maybe someone has a line
on some decent one at a good price

nicely done. I have found both steppers and DC variable speed and controlers, not a lot of difference in price so far in wht I've seen. Looks like I have another 'big' project.

 

[Nigel123]

Big project if you do all the axis if you hate cranking like I do
Will keep track of your progress