I installed a Saunders Power Drawbar Kit on my PM935TV. I like the simplicity and it works well.
I discovered the kit a few weeks back and ordered one hoping to fit it to my mill. Saunders Machine sells the kit to fit a Bridgeport so I gambled that it would fit. I did have to drill an extra hole and slot two others in the mounting plate to get the right bolt circle but it was easy to do and it fits well.
The kit is built for a Harbor Freight wrench but after a trial, I ditched it. I am not a fan of that wrench. I replaced it with a Campbell Hausfeld which required a minimal amount of tweaking to fit. I have seen the internals of the air valve on both wrenches and the CH wrench is a step change in quality as compared to the HF offering.
I put 3/8” OD flexible tubing cantilevered off the back of the assembly for the compressed air supply.
To operate the drawbar you pull down on the lever to engage the socket onto the drawbar and then rotate the lever in the direction to tighten or reverse. The assembly works slick on the 12 mm posts with the linear bearings. Saunders has sized the springs quite well. I like this simple design which keeps everything including the air valve up top. It is compact, minimizes stuff hanging off my mill, and it all works via the simple lever.
By the way, the anodizing on the aluminum made me take a second look when I first saw it. For a moment I thought it was Delrin.
Bottom line, I think this is a very simple and economical solution. I am quite happy with it.
I discovered the kit a few weeks back and ordered one hoping to fit it to my mill. Saunders Machine sells the kit to fit a Bridgeport so I gambled that it would fit. I did have to drill an extra hole and slot two others in the mounting plate to get the right bolt circle but it was easy to do and it fits well.
The kit is built for a Harbor Freight wrench but after a trial, I ditched it. I am not a fan of that wrench. I replaced it with a Campbell Hausfeld which required a minimal amount of tweaking to fit. I have seen the internals of the air valve on both wrenches and the CH wrench is a step change in quality as compared to the HF offering.
I put 3/8” OD flexible tubing cantilevered off the back of the assembly for the compressed air supply.
To operate the drawbar you pull down on the lever to engage the socket onto the drawbar and then rotate the lever in the direction to tighten or reverse. The assembly works slick on the 12 mm posts with the linear bearings. Saunders has sized the springs quite well. I like this simple design which keeps everything including the air valve up top. It is compact, minimizes stuff hanging off my mill, and it all works via the simple lever.
By the way, the anodizing on the aluminum made me take a second look when I first saw it. For a moment I thought it was Delrin.
Bottom line, I think this is a very simple and economical solution. I am quite happy with it.
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