Homemade ATC for an R8 Spindle (several years old)

[JHChoppers]

I wanted to share this early design of an ATC for knee mill that I did several years ago.  There are several things that could be done to improve the design for speed, but the basic concept is there.  So I hope this might help someone thinking of doing something like this.

Keep in mind, this is a functioning prototype only.

Thanks,
JH

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/vsC-10q3wv0&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;border=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/vsC-10q3wv0&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;border=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/I_4T1TmF6B8&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;border=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/I_4T1TmF6B8&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x006699&amp;color2=0x54abd6&amp;border=1</a>

[JHChoppers]

A couple more pics....

JH

[Budget Machine Tool]

You have got some mad skills. I wish I had time to attempt to make things that would make life easier. I can hardly find to keep the stuff I have running and sweep the floor. Seems I'm always running like my a** is on fire and my head is catching.

I really is nice for those times that you need to do other things. Thats the reason that I am attempting the retrofit on a Bridgeport Series I mill with 24 position ATC.   

[JHChoppers]

I saw the start of your build, you can do that with Mach.  You can do almost anything with Mach.

This was fun playing with it, but it was scrapped a long time ago.  A real ATC is the way to go, you retro an old VMC much easier than making your own.

JH

[Budget Machine Tool]

My thoughts exactly.

Seems like there is not much you cant do with Mach and if you can't do it now than someone will figure out how to.  Thats the reason that I decided to go that route. Your VMC project gave me the courage to drag my BTC out of could storage and try the conversion. I know that the machine has a nasty rep., but I got the machine and 40 tool holders for free so I felt it was worth the risk to try it. If it is indeed a 4000lb door stop, i'll pull the Mach hardware off and find a machine that is worthy.

Any how, once I get started feel free to chime in any time to keep me on the right track.

Thanks