This is still the hobby machinist forum though. We can still have sympathy for someone attempt to make something. I kind of admire this kind of crazy thing. Somebody went for it at least, they didn't just run out and buy a bridgeport. I'm thinking about the old popular mechanics shop projects where it was assumed that you'd make what you needed, tooling and accessories. Maybe the result drops into the laugh or cry category but I would rather know why its that way. I don't do this for a living and can't tell just by looking.
The comment about linear bearing not being up to the task is on point for example. good to know. There is probably more than $400 in materials in this contraption. Maybe it has the bones of a working machine somewhere in it.
Tim
Since no one here owned up to making it(so far at least) it’s fair game for critique and harshly so if the situation fits.
Now if someone here were attempting to make this and they were getting their stones broken, yeah, that would be out of line.
In that situation I would be the first to tell people to back off as a member of the site is endeavoring (<<<<is that even a word?) to learn, and I would be doing my best to use it as a teachable moment.
I’ve had apprentices under my wing and have helped and also left them to fail according to what they needed to have happen at the time.
Another poster alluded to “It is a poor workman who blames his tools” which I heartily believe is trus.
But that goes hand in hand with “A fool and his money…”
There is probably on order of $1500 worth of components there if purchased new and in new condition. I doubt that these components were purchased new as for that much money you could buy a small mill.
Given that, how do you think this would perform?
Single speed, no way to tram the head, at least not easily as far as I can tell and little in the way of mass to prevent the table from lifting, leaning, deflecting or doing any number of unwanted things. And I haven’t even got to the spindle bearings yet or table locks yet.
Will it do something?
Yes.
Will it do anything well?
Considering an end mill could set you back $40-50 and get ruined the first time the machine goes into uncontrolled gyrations, is it even worth finding out?
As to this being a Hobbiest forum, shouldn’t those with knowledge of the topic try to steer those who are still learning, straight?