Workshop Updates

I had to decide where to publish these new photos. It’s not really a new build or project so here we are in the blog. If you have been paying attention you may know I now have two (2) CNC Taig micro mills. The first mill is about ten years old. the new mill is less than a year old.

The original mill has mist cooling available and has a metal pan under the base. It is my primary metal milling machine but has machined far more than just metal. The new machine will be primarily used for dry milling. Mostly the carving of wax masters for lost wax casting. That does NOT rule out its use for anything else I want to machine.

Original Taig Mill

This is the old warhorse. You name it, it has probably machined it. I put up a temporary chip barier on the left when the machine is active. You can see the mist/air nozzle mounted on the spindle. In the right hand corner is the set-up table I built and use for most of my projects.

Original Taig Mill with Smooth Stepper Controller

This is a different angle showing the new $80.00 refurbished computer I just bought. It under the monitor. The price included everything but the monitor. The 48Volt  CNC controller is homemade and contains the Smooth Stepper. This is an excellent combination.

New Taig Mill w/4th Axis

This is my brand new Taig CNC mill. I just finished mounting it on this bench. The first mill started out here. The mill is set up for four axis milling. Of course set-ups can be changed at anytime. My intention is to use this mill and location for all my dry milling such as wax masters. With the new digital controller the Taig with twenty turn screws is capable of well over 100 IPM rapids. I have no need or intentions to rapid over 70 IPM.

Barriers will set up on both sides when willing to stop chips from going everywhere.

New Taig Mill w/4th Axis

This is a closer look at the 4th axis. The wax holder plate is homemade. I will probably be making other adapters. It is so rigid the tail post is probably not needed. The motor on/off is controlled by the software so the switch on the column is labeled for safety. FYI the Taig motor is single speed and the spindle top rpm is 10,600. That is where is stays most of the time.

Taig CNC Controller and PD400 Lathe

This is where the CNC computer and controller are located. That’s another $80 computer and this controller is the CNC4PC  controller I recommend for the Taig. I plan to add a short removeable curtain in front of the electronics when using the PD400 lathe.

Taig Lathe

I relocated the Taig lathe to the main bench. It was located where I put the Taig #2 mill. Better lighting here and it is light enough I can push it back or move it when I need the space for something else. That’s my kiln to the right that I use for curing molds for lost wax silver casting.