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Weiss VM32 CNC mill conversion

DavidR8

DavidR8

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I've been toying with the idea of building another CNC machine. Name a CNC mill. I have my CNC router which is amazing for wood and even aluminum in a pinch though the high speed spindle is bit of a challenge. And steel is pretty much a non-starter.
My Weiss VM32 mill (essentially a CX601/PM30) is a conversion candidate but I wanted to retain some semblance of 'manual' control to do simple operations like facing or side milling without having to do CAD/CAM.
Spent two hours with @jcdammeyer this morning talking CNC, steppers, servos, control software etc.
Had a lightbulb moment when John set up a facemill and quickly surfaced a block of aluminum using simple commands into the MDI interface on LinuxCNC.
That was was the part that I was missing; how to do a simple job like that without being able to turn handwheels.

So I'm starting to research what I need to convert my mill to CNC.

Stay tuned.
 
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DavidR8 said:
I've been toying with the idea of building another CNC machine. Name a CNC mill. I have my CNC router which is amazing for wood and even aluminum in a pinch though the high speed spindle is bit of a challenge. And steel is pretty much a non-starter.
My Weiss VM32 mill (essentially a CX601/PM30) is a conversion candidate but I wanted to retain some semblance of 'manual' control to do simple operations like facing or side milling without having to do CAD/CAM.
Spent two hours with @jcdammeyer this morning talking CNC, steppers, servos, control software etc.
Had a lightbulb moment when John set up a facemill and quickly surfaced a block of aluminum using simple commands into the MDI interface on LinuxCNC.
That was was the part that I was missing; how to do a simple job like that without being able to turn handwheels.

So I'm starting to research what I need to convert my mill to CNC.

Stay tuned.
Click to expand...
This...

I had exactly the same aha moment when I saw a video of similar line commands to perform a single machining operation. That you can enter simple commands rather than using handwheels with a little learning makes it more tempting.
 
Now having watched the DMC2 mini mill videos where he pushes the machine in aluminum and steel is definitely eye-opening and is making me think about doing some experiments with my CNC router.
 
DavidR8 said:
No, but I spent of bunch of the evening thinking about how to implement it.
Click to expand...
My mill came with flood coolant but I've never used it.

The general scuttlebutt about flood coolant is unless you have a skimmer to remove the surface oils, an automatic oiler (which I don't have) and you use it on a regular basis it starts to stink big time. So for now I've resisted the urge to fill the reservoir.

Also without splash guards some of that will end up on the floor beside the chips that end up on the floor.
 
jcdammeyer said:
My mill came with flood coolant but I've never used it.

The general scuttlebutt about flood coolant is unless you have a skimmer to remove the surface oils, an automatic oiler (which I don't have) and you use it on a regular basis it starts to stink big time. So for now I've resisted the urge to fill the reservoir.

Also without splash guards some of that will end up on the floor beside the chips that end up on the floor.
Click to expand...
I think I'd just do a mister like you have on your mill. And I have all ready to go on my mill once I get the air lines in :rolleyes:
 
My flood coolant experience in my shop: stinks. Unless you’re running eight hours a day, five days a week, the coolant begins to seriously stink after a while. The PA soluble oil clumps up into big waxy streams and clogs everything. In a production shop it’s not sitting idle most of the time, so these problems don’t occur.

I did have reasonable success using Lenox BandAid cutting fluid, diluted 10:1, and using a drip feed directly on to the tool bit. BandAid doesn’t seem to deteriorate or clump.
 
DavidR8 said:
I've been toying with the idea of building another CNC machine. Name a CNC mill. I have my CNC router which is amazing for wood and even aluminum in a pinch though the high speed spindle is bit of a challenge. And steel is pretty much a non-starter.
My Weiss VM32 mill (essentially a CX601/PM30) is a conversion candidate but I wanted to retain some semblance of 'manual' control to do simple operations like facing or side milling without having to do CAD/CAM.
Spent two hours with @jcdammeyer this morning talking CNC, steppers, servos, control software etc.
Had a lightbulb moment when John set up a facemill and quickly surfaced a block of aluminum using simple commands into the MDI interface on LinuxCNC.
That was was the part that I was missing; how to do a simple job like that without being able to turn handwheels.

So I'm starting to research what I need to convert my mill to CNC.

Stay tuned.
Click to expand...
You can write simple G-code in a text editor and feed it into the controller. ( I do this on LinuxCNC and Mach3) I do it all the time. In fact I have a little library built up.... I cut and paste what I need, change a few values and I'm off and running. I had the same thoughts when I converted my machine back in the day. I have yet to use the hand wheels. In fact they have never been installed on the steppers. For fast positioning the cutting head around I have a pendant setup and use it.
 
Really fun adventure, one step at a time and before long that machine will be making a part, while the 3D printer is making another while you play with your lathe all at the same time.

I much prefer entering G0 X 20, to move the table 20" than spinning the handle 200 times;-)

I still find it a bit unnerving when the table is moving at > 100 IPM towards what looks like a certain crash, but then stops harmlessly 0.01" short, ready for the next move.

Are you going to use Mach or Linux?
 
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+1 on Perry’s comment. You should be able to feed G code directly. In fact that is all I do in my CNC machines (lathe and mill). They are both pretty old machines, I have not found post processors for variants Acramatic A2100 or DX-32, but programming via text files (at the terminal or on a computer) is not a big deal, so I have not been very motivated to track down (or pay for) at CAM system. Granted, I don’t do any 3D profiling or text engraving but all and anything one would do on a manual machine (plus some other standard geometry) is easily done.

The “have to have CAD/CAM” in order to use a CNC is not true.

Another method for quick one off type cuts on the CNC is using the panel rapid buttons (or hand wheel, depending on the setup) - of course dialled down to 1% or 2% (which on my mill is 4 or 8 ipm).

The comments above about coolant are correct, that one does need a skimmer. Maybe I’m just in a machine plentiful area as I’ve picked up three of them for cheap (auction, yard sale), I put ‘em on timers so they are available all the time (and run perhaps half an hour a day).

My experience is that the coolant stays good for about three years (obviously I’m adding water back) - sometimes the machine sits for several months, still the coolant seems fine. One time I found that I was getting some rust spots, yet the concentration was good (coolant change solved that). The stuff doesn’t last forever, but longer than what the manufacturer recommends (annual change). The nasty, stinky coolant reservoir is not something I have run into - and using flood coolant seems to be working well for me, so well worth the little bit of maintenance.

Also, another learning is that an important tool is a refractometer - you need to know how much water to add back (or top up the concentrate).

An enclosure? Yeah, I agree with the above comments. I don’t run coolant on the manual machines (love RapidTap and some other cutting fluids, depending on the application). But managing chips and coolant is great, love the enclosures.

I am constantly blown away by the machine conversions folks do, certainly one can build all the features that one can get on a purchased CNC (many axis, enclosure, tool change, etc), but wow - very well done.
 
slow-poke said:
Really fun adventure, one step at a time and before long that machine will be making a part, while the 3D printer is making another while you play with your lathe all at the same time.

I much prefer entering G0 X 20, to move the table 20" than spinning the handle 200 times;-)

I still find it a bit unnerving when the table is moving at > 100 IPM towards what looks like a certain crash, but then stops harmlessly 0.01" short, ready for the next move.

Are you going to use Mach or Linux?
Click to expand...
The deal I'm looking at comes with a Masso G3 controller so that's what I'll start with. I may go LinuxCNC if the Masso doesn't work well but I will cross that bridge should I come to it.
 
Here are some pics of parts of the kit I'm buying through a private deal.
-Masso G3 controller and pendant
-Arizona CNC kits conversion kit, machined for:
-DMM servo motors x,y,z axis(z axis has brake). Includes the cabling for motors/encoders/setup usb cables
-DMM AC servo drivers x,y,z axis
-Meanwell power supplies, filter, capacitors, breaker
-Spare R8 spindle with belt drive pulley
-some other parts, oiler, fasteners, air cylinder for toolchanger, (see pics)
-Toolchanger and belt drive was never completed, so all of this was never used or installed.

20241101_083722.jpg

20241101_083741.jpg

20241101_083746.jpg
 
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