I have an X2 Mini-Mill, with the LMS Belt Conversion (without it, I'd have stripped many plastic gears.) And I sometimes have a problem with slow speed cutting (for proper feet per minute) and inadequate torque. This typicaly occurs when using relatively large diameter tools on normal low-carbon steel, best example is when using 3" diameter slitting saws on steel ( hot or cold-rolled) or drill rod. Other times are flying cutting and large diameter boring with carbide cutters.
Per Machinery's Handbook, I should run in the 60 - 90 sfpm range -- this is only 76-102 rpm and way too slow for the Mini-Mill to have enough torque to avoid stalling.
Running with enough speed to avoid this is clearly damaging the saw blades. I've resorted to many very shallow passes ( 5 thou?) but forum comments typically suggest a slow, deep cut.
I've considered adding additional belts and pulleys between the motor and spindle for more speed reduction, or maybe making a geared reducer to insert somewhere in the drive train (ideally on top, integrated with the belts).
Or is there some simpler solution?
Per Machinery's Handbook, I should run in the 60 - 90 sfpm range -- this is only 76-102 rpm and way too slow for the Mini-Mill to have enough torque to avoid stalling.
Running with enough speed to avoid this is clearly damaging the saw blades. I've resorted to many very shallow passes ( 5 thou?) but forum comments typically suggest a slow, deep cut.
I've considered adding additional belts and pulleys between the motor and spindle for more speed reduction, or maybe making a geared reducer to insert somewhere in the drive train (ideally on top, integrated with the belts).
Or is there some simpler solution?