Mill questions

Jan 09, 2009 5 Replies
9 am yesterday a big lorry delivered a large wooden box outside my front door - it wouldn't fit inside, so my plans to use a piano dolly to get it up the stairs were null and void.

Instead, with the help of a kindly neighbour, I opened it and dismantled the X3 mill inside, carrying the pieces up the stairs by hand - not too hard, except for the column, which I perhaps should have dismantled more. Only a little blood, and thankfully it didn't rain, but it was bl**dy cold work.



Anyway, I have a couple of questions. First, it came with a wedge, about



4" long 1/8" thick - it's described as an "oblique wedge" in the Chinglish packing list - but what's it for?

Second, the operating end of the main shaft, which has a MT3 taper, also has a couple of metal squares bolted to it - again, what are these for?



Lastly. it doesn't have a gas strut on the Z axis - it doesn't have any holes for a strut either. Struts are available for £25 or so, but are they worthwhile?


-- Peter Fairbrother


If you fully extend the quill you will see a slot, the wedge can be used through this to eject taper tooling but I find it better to undo the draw bar half a turn and tap with a copper hammer.

The two metal squares are to take a spanner so the spindle can be locked but I find that a firm grip of the toolholder etc is all thats required when undoing the draw bar.

I don't have a strut, you will soon get a strong right arm from cranking the head up ;) Its not really a problem.

Jason

Is it an ejector wedge for the MT3 in the spindle similar to what you would find on a drilling machine/large hand drill to use to remove the chuck/Morse Taper drill?

Alan Bain

Y'rright and thanks. It also locks the spindle.

I didn't realise because you have to lower the quill to expose the opening, and I hadn't done that :-0

-- Peter Fairbrother

I don't get it. What's the screwdriver-type slot for then?

Thanks,

-- Peter Fairbrother

You need something similar to a C spanner

Jason

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