Sticky What Machines Do You have?

[jcdammeyer]

If it had a 3phase motor don't throw it away. I changed to a 3 phase with VFD on my South Bend and don't regret it. Nice score though.

 

[Alexander]

I have three other 3 phase machines in my shop. On a cnc lathe it helps because you can enable constant surface speed. While I was moving chucks around I "upgraded?" my CNC lathe to a bison chuck. Haha i can't tell the difference between the two by looking at the picture from inside the backs. One is definitely a little smoother than the other. What ever china chuck the syil comes with is pretty good too. Does anyone know the brand name?

 

[Tom Kitta]

Price is hard to beat. Some of us get lucky!

 

[YotaBota]

Alexander - gotta love freebies that are actually useful, well done.

RobinHood - I saw somewhere you posted having a SM1120, how do you like it? My SM 9" is good but it be nice to have a bigger spindle hole and I like the specs on the 1120.

 

[RobinHood]

Yes I do have a SM1120. It is a very very tight machine. Seen almost no use since new. Came from a maintenance facility that bought it new but never used it and just collected dust for decades. Did a complete tear down, clean and reassembly. Deburred anything that needed it.

At the time mainly bought it for two reasons:
1) It is imperial (my SM1340 is metric and I could not cut SAE threads at the time because I did not have the change gears - subsequently made them and now the 1340 cuts both types)
2) it came with a boatload of other stuff

The 1120 actually has a swing of 13” over the bed and turns 22” between centers. The spindle bore is 1 3/8”. I have a 1.5hp, 220V, 3phase motor on it, run for the shop RPC. Would be very easy to put a VFD on it.

 

[YotaBota]

With a 13" swing does it use a AXA or BXA tool post. If one comes up for sale somewhere I'll have to give it some serious consideration and decide if it's worth having over my SM9.

 

[jcdammeyer]

I have the AXA on my South Bend 10L. Far east copies are available pretty cheap. The only issue I've had is this year, even though the perimeter drain tile installed last year worked perfectly everything on the far end of the shop rusted. This included surface rust on the AXA tool holders and even the HSS tools. No idea why this year and not the last 10 years.

 

[RobinHood]

Both might work depending on the model and tool holder geometry of the BXA. You for sure can’t go wrong with an AXA size tool system.

 

[Tom Kitta]

For 13" I used BXA. It worked well. AXA is small and will work but I generally go for bigger set as AXA is limited in tool size more then BXA which can be made to handle 3/4 shank and is more sturdy (you can probably even make a custom 1" - maybe I forgot).

Not that AXA is a weak - I have taken 120 thou cuts per side in 4" bar and feed 0.007 with a tiny 3/8 carbide cutter (little stick out) - no ill effect on the tool post (not Chinese).

I have a Hardenage AXA sized tool post and single tool holder for sale in case you are interested, US made.

 

[Johnwa]

I have an SM1120 as well. When I first got it I used an AXA. It required a ⅝” riser under it to get the tool height right. A BXA fits perfectly.


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[jcdammeyer]

That's certainly a good enough reason to use a BXA series then.

 

[YYCHM]

I have a SM 9 x 22 and have been considering a QCTP. How does one ascertain which one AXA or BXA is the most suitable? I don't want to get one just to find out a riser is required to make it work.

Thanks,

Craig

 

[Johnwa]

It depends a bit on the thickness of your compound but the AXA is just right on my 9” Southbend.
The AXA post is 2 ⅛” high while the BXA is 2 ¾”. The BXA tool holders are beefier as well so the minimum tool height ends up higher. I can take some more measurements if you like.


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[YYCHM]

It depends a bit on the thickness of your compound but the AXA is just right on my 9” Southbend.
The AXA post is 2 ⅛” high while the BXA is 2 ¾”. The BXA tool holders are beefier as well so the minimum tool height ends up higher. I can take some more measurements if you like.

From the top of the compound to the tip of a tool is 1.125" on my machine. Does that help narrow things down?

Also, any preferences between piston v.s. wedge types?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[Dabbler]

for 1.25", the AXA would work well. the BXA is a little too large.

 

[Johnwa]

Craig
That’s pretty close to my SB. With a ½” tool the holder ends up close to half way up the AXA tool post. With the BXA and a ⅝” tool, the tool holder would be sitting on the compound.
With a piston type I suspect you want the holder half way up so it is centred on the piston.


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[DavidR8]

@YYCHobbyMachinist I tried a piston-type AXA on my SB 10K and I did not find it put the toolholder in same position repeatedly. Swapped to a wedge-type and had repeatable results every time.

 

[jcdammeyer]

I've also heard negative things about the pistons ones so I splurged for the more expensive wedge.

 

[Johnwa]

I’ve heard the same complaint but don’t really understand the issue. Are you saying the tool height changes or is it something else?


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[DavidR8]

I’ve heard the same complaint but don’t really understand the issue. Are you saying the tool height changes or is it something else?


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Either tool height or squareness was what I found