I have the guts to an old power feed unit just the shell and the 2 gears. I have a motor from an old 12v cordless drill. I would like to make a power feed for the knee on my BP. Are the motors on the servo type power feeds engaged all the time or do you disengage the motor to move the table or knee with manual crank. How much drag on crank if motor is engaged? :thinking:
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power feed unit project
- Thread starter jawz41
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2011
- Messages
- 430
I have 3 of the Chinese (Align) units on my mill, and yes, they do disengage. There is a noticeable drag on the handle if the lever isnt in the neutral position.
I would wonder if a 12v drill will have enough 'oomph' to move the knee?? -- probably the X or Y axies OK, but...
I would wonder if a 12v drill will have enough 'oomph' to move the knee?? -- probably the X or Y axies OK, but...
Hi,
I also have 3 on my mill and yes the lever engages a clutch (forward and reverse) and when set in the middle position it turns only the 2 top bevel gears.
If you go to the servo site it has exploded diagrams which will show you whats inside. I think there is also a a place selling align that has diagrams as well.
I think your motor will be OK as the factory ones are not very big, but it will need to be geared down at the bottom as well with a large gear like the factory ones do or it just wont have the torque.
I know it may seem expensive, but they can be bought for anywhere from $180 to $250 on ebay thats where I got 2 of mine 4-5 years ago. I think their ebay name is ezyaccessories.
I can here my knee one strain when in use as one turn of my handle raises the table .200 where the Bridgeport raises it .100 which is easier on the power feed being lower ratio.
I chased them up for you
http://servoproductsco.com/specs/150_6293_full.pdf
http://servoproductsco.com/html/additional_info____prices.html
http://www.bestlinepro.com/PF-Parts_Diagram.pdf
http://www.bestlinepro.com/prod01.htm
Let us know if you go ahead, as I would be interested in watching and helping out if I can.
Dave
I also have 3 on my mill and yes the lever engages a clutch (forward and reverse) and when set in the middle position it turns only the 2 top bevel gears.
If you go to the servo site it has exploded diagrams which will show you whats inside. I think there is also a a place selling align that has diagrams as well.
I think your motor will be OK as the factory ones are not very big, but it will need to be geared down at the bottom as well with a large gear like the factory ones do or it just wont have the torque.
I know it may seem expensive, but they can be bought for anywhere from $180 to $250 on ebay thats where I got 2 of mine 4-5 years ago. I think their ebay name is ezyaccessories.
I can here my knee one strain when in use as one turn of my handle raises the table .200 where the Bridgeport raises it .100 which is easier on the power feed being lower ratio.
I chased them up for you
http://servoproductsco.com/specs/150_6293_full.pdf
http://servoproductsco.com/html/additional_info____prices.html
http://www.bestlinepro.com/PF-Parts_Diagram.pdf
http://www.bestlinepro.com/prod01.htm
Let us know if you go ahead, as I would be interested in watching and helping out if I can.
Dave