Power Z & X

[Susquatch]

On my ToDo list all most forever is a power X and Power Z for my mill. Both are 5/8 shafts. The Z has a castle drive and the X is key drive. I'd like to keep both manual drive handles as well as the adjustable zero dial.

Vevor has a few that look promising to me.

Power Z $180 450 in lbs 37.5ft lbs

Power X 1 $185 450in lbs 37.5 ft lbs

Power X 2 $187 150 ft lbs 1800inlbs

Anyone have experience with these? Comments? How did the install go?

Why the two different X Axis Units? I would have thought 35ftlbs is more than enough for all 3 axis. But the price difference is nothing.

Other options?

Recommendations?

 

[TorontoBuilder]

On my ToDo list all most forever is a power X and Power Z for my mill. Both are 5/8 shafts. The Z has a castle drive and the X is key drive. I'd like to keep both manual drive handles as well as the adjustable zero dial.

Vevor has a few that look promising to me.

Power Z $180 450 in lbs 37.5ft lbs

Power X 1 $185 450in lbs 37.5 ft lbs

Power X 2 $187 150 ft lbs 1800inlbs

Anyone have experience with these? Comments? How did the install go?

Why the two different X Axis Units? I would have thought 35ftlbs is more than enough for all 3 axis. But the price difference is nothing.

Other options?

Recommendations?

I have the Power X 1.

Plenty of power, but our shaft and shims etc need adjusting because it tightens up and jams. I end up having to leave things loose. One day I'll watch a ton of videos and figure out the fix

 

[Susquatch]

I have the Power X 1.

Plenty of power, but our shaft and shims etc need adjusting because it tightens up and jams. I end up having to leave things loose. One day I'll watch a ton of videos and figure out the fix

It's really hard to understand why the price difference is so low. I would think the higher torque dictates stronger gears and bearings. If 450 in-lbs will lift my knee reliably, then I don't see why x would need more. Maybe to get a more steady feed speed while milling for those who want that. I just want to get to the other end without cranking my head off.

I confess I'm concerned about 450inlbs being enough for the knee. Ya, it's plenty enough torque to move the knee, but are the gears strong enough? And how does it work with the castle system. I absolutely need manual too.

 

[PeterT]

I recall John Conroy did a great writeup on his knee power feed installation. Years ago but presumably still in our system. There are some things to know regarding setup & shims that might be beneficial to read beforehand.

 

[Susquatch]

I have the Power X 1.

Plenty of power, but our shaft and shims etc need adjusting because it tightens up and jams. I end up having to leave things loose. One day I'll watch a ton of videos and figure out the fix

It's really hard to understand why the price difference is so low. I would think the higher torque dictates stronger gears and bearings. If 450 in-lbs will lift my knee reliably, then I don't see why x would need more. Maybe to get a more steady feed speed while milling for those who want that. I just want to get to the other end without cranking my head off.

I confess I'm concerned about 450inlbs being enough for the knee. Ya, it's plenty enough torque to move the knee, but are the gears strong enough? And how does it work with the castle system. I absolutely need manual too.

I recall John Conroy did a great writeup on his knee power feed installation. Years ago but presumably still in our system. There are some things to know regarding setup & shims that might be beneficial to read beforehand.

I'll see if I can find it. Thanks Peter.

Edit - I think this is it. No idea why @John Conroy called it a 'New X axis power feed for my Ferro milling machine' though. His thread dives right into Z.

Thread 'New X axis power feed for my Ferro milling machine'

Nov 8, 2017

I was talking to Matt at Precision Matthews a few weeks back asking some questions about a power feed for the knee on my mill. I have a bum shoulder and cranking the knee up and down by hand is a pain, literally. He told me there are 2 different models, one for machines with 3/4" by 16 TPI SAE thread on the knee lead screw and the others have a 19 mm X 1.5 mm metric thread. I checked mine carefully with thread pitch gauges and found it to be the SAE thread. He offered me a great deal and I ordered one as an early Christmas gift to myself.

It arrived a few days later and I got to work...

• John Conroy
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Machine Talks. Mills, Lathes, Shapers, etc.

 

[skippyelwell]

On my ToDo list all most forever is a power X and Power Z for my mill. Both are 5/8 shafts. The Z has a castle drive and the X is key drive. I'd like to keep both manual drive handles as well as the adjustable zero dial.

Vevor has a few that look promising to me.

Power Z $180 450 in lbs 37.5ft lbs

Power X 1 $185 450in lbs 37.5 ft lbs

Power X 2 $187 150 ft lbs 1800inlbs

Anyone have experience with these? Comments? How did the install go?

Why the two different X Axis Units? I would have thought 35ftlbs is more than enough for all 3 axis. But the price difference is nothing.

Other options?

Recommendations?

I was just looking at those 3 drives not more than an hour ago, the 450inlb unit is in my cart.

 

[Mike R]

The X 2 appears to be 150 in-lbs (not foot-lbs) if you look at the metric specs (only 16.9 NM torque).

 

[Susquatch]

The X 2 appears to be 150 in-lbs (not foot-lbs) if you look at the metric specs (only 16.9 NM torque).

Wow! Good catch Mike! I checked it at least 3 times. I didn't like the way they called it pounds without feet.

That settles it, X1 it is. I think I'd like to start with the knee unit though. That's the one I really need most. I use a Dewalt drill and a castle drive now. Obviously, if I use a drill now, it needs a power drive.