Before/Start of a new machine

[Salty]

So I got this bug in my rear about making my Vega lathe into a cnc. I spent alot of time thinking about this and how I want to set this up. Took any drawbacks of my first lathe into consideration and came up with a plan. It's all in my head.

I'm going to post here and show you guys what I like to do....this to me is what makes plug making fun.

When this is done this will be a dual computer 5 axis machine with auto forward and reverse, it will rough and finish in one pass....stay tuned.

Here's a shot of before...the existing Vega duplicator is now off. Second picture shows one side of the base. All precisely machined so that it will be perfectly aligned with the head and tail stock.

[Salty]

Here's a shot of about 4 hours worth of work. One side of the base all machined.

[Salty]

You guys should be very afraid.

I'm showing you the inside of Salty's head. You should be more than afraid.

RUN

[Salty]

Second section of the base done. Time for lunch 

amazing how much faster a second one goes

[numbnuts]

this shit impresses me. I couldn't do this for my life.

[Salty]

YOU AINT SEEN NUTHIN YET

this is the boring stuff

[Peterjay]

I'm also impressed - my mechanical ability is pretty much limited to turning the handle on a bench vise. Still, one has to wonder about what's behind those Photoshop eraser marks. Human heads and assorted body parts? Moonshine whiskey, bottled and ready for pickup? Stacks of counterfeit twenties? Ah, the mysteries of life.....

[handyman]

nice salty..............your a craftsman .........and a good one at that

[Salty]

no i'm a HACK with a bridgeport

maybe a bit of a raving mad scientist hack LOL

[BigK]

you souping up another lathe...
i can only freaking imagine what u up to...
always re-inventing the wheel you are....

lookin good Scott...

[numbnuts]

forget about the mechanical part, think about the electrical part.

[handyman]

well at least your humble salty

[handyman]

i see those recycle bins are full of  all your mistakes  and  heading for the shredder and to be made into 4x8x1/2 chip board for sheathing              

[Salty]

the chipboard guy disappeared a few years ago. He used to come by once in a while and don't anymore. maybe i scared him away

[Salty]

Day 2 I mounted the second side to the lathe today. Cut the motion bases and have started milling. These will take a day or so apiece of solid work. There's about 100 holes to be drilled and tapped here. These started out as a 1x8x12' aluminum bar. Cut on the chop saw.