Frequently Asked Questions Oct 11, 03
Table of Contents
Do I have to Have
CNC to build this project?
Can all the
parts be made on my Sherline?
Can the tool
changer work on other machines?
Do I have to
modify my headstock?
Do I have to have CNC to build this project?
This is a trick question, considering all the advanced
mechanisms that have been constructed without the benefit of CNC. The answer would be no, although it will
save many hours of set-up time if you do.
As long as you understand that you will be doing a lot of manual cutting
and filing and fitting of some of the more complicated parts. Also you do not have to have a CNC mill to
use the tool changer once it is complete.
Just be aware that there are many parts that are repeated 6 and 12 times
so there is some repetition where CNC is a real bonus.
Can all the parts be made on my Sherline
mill and lathe, or other miniature machine tools?
Technically, yes they can.
No individual part is too large to be machined on a Sherline mill. However there are a couple of parts that
need to be machined from steel and you should know that all of the parts for
the original prototypes were machined on full-size Bridgeport mills. I do not own a Sherline Mill, so it may be a
stretch for me to say ALL the parts can be made on a Sherline.
Can the tool
changer work on another machine besides Sherline?
Yes, actually the whole mechanism including the headstock
works very well as a stand alone unit. But
you will have to use the Sherline headstock and find a way to mount it to your
own machine’s Z axis. Sherline sells
their headstock complete for a reasonable price, and you can buy it with or
without the motor.
Is CAD data available for the parts?
The plans include drawings in 2D DXF format. This information can be used for creating 2D
toolpaths for CNC. There are no plans
to offer 3D CAD data for the individual parts.
How much will the project cost?
Of course this depends on many factors, but is largely dependent on how much scrap Aluminum, fasteners, and assorted stuff you have lying around. The total cost of Sherline end mill holder, air cylinder, air valve, springs, fasteners, dowel pins, and ball bearings should be around $200.
Will I have to modify the Sherline Headstock?
There are 3 minor modifications to perform.
Cut appx. 1” from the length of the
spindle (this extra length is used for the Lathe threading kit, and won’t
affect your mill)
Bore a small shoulder in the spindle
nose
Drill and Tap 1 small hole in the base
of the aluminum headstock housing
These modifications will not affect the function of the original Sherline spindle and are straightforward operations to perform.