- Joined
- Nov 23, 2014
- Messages
- 2,606
Picked up a 2HP Bridgeport with a circa 1984 Anilam Crusader II 2-axis CNC set up today! Lots of pictures, kinda like that first-time mom or dad at work showing off baby pictures!
I was vacillating between this machine and a non-CNC Bridgeport, but finally decided to take (the albeit very old technology) the plunge into CNC. My existing mill is a Jet JVM-830 with a TPAC Tools 4-axis DRO and power feed on the X-axis.
I gain the rigidity of a 2000+ lb. machine vs. 800 lbs., variable speed head, nod on the head, power quill feed, and larger capacity. Also gain the CNC ability. I can see from the manual it'll be a while before I'm even a beginner!
I lose a few things with this Bridgeport set up. With my current DRO, I regularly flip back/forth between Absolute/Incremental mode, switch between inch/mm, use the "1/2" function on occasion and use the PCD holes on a circle. I don't see an ABS/INC set up for the X, Y, but possibly it's there. Otherwise, I'll be occasionally writing down numbers. No "1/2" function either so out will come the calculator. The CNC has a command for holes on a circle, so a wash there once I figure out how to do it! First CNC task will be figuring out how to program the table for a simple X-axis left to right and vice versa to simulate my X-axis power feed. At present, once the CNC controller is activated the table is locked solid. There are manual rapid feed, feed and jog functions. But I don't want to have to stand there holding a button to move the table. Hopefully it's a very simple G-code set up.
Ways are very clean as you can see in the photos. Table and 6" Kurt swivel vise too. Power quill feed and kick out work, head is quiet and doesn't vibrate through the full speed range. Spindle is rock solid at full 5" extension also. Pretty happy so far!
OK, the down side(s). The static phase converter is mounted on top of the Anilam control panel and uses a simple wall switch to turn the mill on and off. It works fine, but I'm going to replace it with a Grizzly ON/OFF switch; just looks better! Side project will be to order two of the switches with the other one to be wired to my compressor. Plan is to stick the compressor in the back half of my barn and mount an ON/OFF switch on the wall.
Another issue is the ram handle; there isn't one! Seller broke it off, so it'll be a drill/EZ-out first, then make a new one.
When the Anilam is turned on, there's a circuit breaker that has to be reset before it will power the table. The switch is currently mounted on the power supply box bolted to the back of the mill. The seller used a stick to push the button, I'm going to move it to a box under the Anilam controller. It might be easier to hit the E-stop on the Anilam which releases the table, then move the table by hand, then reenergize the Anilam. Kind of a pain to do that where the switch currently sets.
Another fixer upper is the X-axis table lock. It doesn't lock the table! The knob hits the saddle casting so it doesn't quite turn far enough to lock the table. I believe the installer of the scale on the front of the table set it a little low and had an interference with the table lock. I'm guessing there should be a washer behind the table lock bolt. I can either turn a new knob with a smaller diameter than the existing knob, or pull the lock and put a shim washer under it to force the lock bolt out farther.
Another project will be making a roller stand for it. Like most others, I'd like the mill raised about 3-4". Some other stuff to buy before it's all fired up like an ER32 collet chuck (have a crazy HF one on it for now with non-standard collets) and a collet/wrench rack. Another problem will be finding a final home for it in my crowded shop, but I'll manage!
Lots of pics showing the rigging on the trailer, HF gantry crane lift-off the trailer, table, ways, ball screws, Anilam, etc. Yours truly too with a big grin on my face.
Bruce
I was vacillating between this machine and a non-CNC Bridgeport, but finally decided to take (the albeit very old technology) the plunge into CNC. My existing mill is a Jet JVM-830 with a TPAC Tools 4-axis DRO and power feed on the X-axis.
I gain the rigidity of a 2000+ lb. machine vs. 800 lbs., variable speed head, nod on the head, power quill feed, and larger capacity. Also gain the CNC ability. I can see from the manual it'll be a while before I'm even a beginner!
I lose a few things with this Bridgeport set up. With my current DRO, I regularly flip back/forth between Absolute/Incremental mode, switch between inch/mm, use the "1/2" function on occasion and use the PCD holes on a circle. I don't see an ABS/INC set up for the X, Y, but possibly it's there. Otherwise, I'll be occasionally writing down numbers. No "1/2" function either so out will come the calculator. The CNC has a command for holes on a circle, so a wash there once I figure out how to do it! First CNC task will be figuring out how to program the table for a simple X-axis left to right and vice versa to simulate my X-axis power feed. At present, once the CNC controller is activated the table is locked solid. There are manual rapid feed, feed and jog functions. But I don't want to have to stand there holding a button to move the table. Hopefully it's a very simple G-code set up.
Ways are very clean as you can see in the photos. Table and 6" Kurt swivel vise too. Power quill feed and kick out work, head is quiet and doesn't vibrate through the full speed range. Spindle is rock solid at full 5" extension also. Pretty happy so far!
OK, the down side(s). The static phase converter is mounted on top of the Anilam control panel and uses a simple wall switch to turn the mill on and off. It works fine, but I'm going to replace it with a Grizzly ON/OFF switch; just looks better! Side project will be to order two of the switches with the other one to be wired to my compressor. Plan is to stick the compressor in the back half of my barn and mount an ON/OFF switch on the wall.
Another issue is the ram handle; there isn't one! Seller broke it off, so it'll be a drill/EZ-out first, then make a new one.
When the Anilam is turned on, there's a circuit breaker that has to be reset before it will power the table. The switch is currently mounted on the power supply box bolted to the back of the mill. The seller used a stick to push the button, I'm going to move it to a box under the Anilam controller. It might be easier to hit the E-stop on the Anilam which releases the table, then move the table by hand, then reenergize the Anilam. Kind of a pain to do that where the switch currently sets.
Another fixer upper is the X-axis table lock. It doesn't lock the table! The knob hits the saddle casting so it doesn't quite turn far enough to lock the table. I believe the installer of the scale on the front of the table set it a little low and had an interference with the table lock. I'm guessing there should be a washer behind the table lock bolt. I can either turn a new knob with a smaller diameter than the existing knob, or pull the lock and put a shim washer under it to force the lock bolt out farther.
Another project will be making a roller stand for it. Like most others, I'd like the mill raised about 3-4". Some other stuff to buy before it's all fired up like an ER32 collet chuck (have a crazy HF one on it for now with non-standard collets) and a collet/wrench rack. Another problem will be finding a final home for it in my crowded shop, but I'll manage!
Lots of pics showing the rigging on the trailer, HF gantry crane lift-off the trailer, table, ways, ball screws, Anilam, etc. Yours truly too with a big grin on my face.
Bruce
Looks like a really nice machine with little to no wear. You did good.