Shoptask 1720 gold.

[turboman]

Ah! Pete, the sweet smell of success. Unfortunately the pics are really small. But you can see the twin poster head design, and if you look carefully at the top of them you can make out the VFD's. Other details...well, I'll have to try again sometime. Enjoy them with a magnifying glass. I'm learning, I'm learning.
turboman.

[Hood]

Unfortunately the pics are really small.

They are fine, what you are seeing is the thumbnails, click on the pics and they will open full size

Hood

[Matospeter]

Looks pretty cool TURBOMAN... Those are some serious shafts in there. I know that Shoptask now uses a tri mount design called a bridgelift or something like that. The one I build was similar to yours only it used four slightly smaller shafts.  The best thing is that the millhead could not get down closer to the table and was at least a little more rigid.  Looks like yours should do the same. enjoy it man, it looks pretty cool , peace

Pete

[turboman]

Hi again Pete, and Hood, welcome.
    I machine everything, ceramics, steel, nickel, you name it. I needed stiffness! The uprights are hollow, of course. But there is no vibration in this puppy! I can also get the head down at least as far as Shoptasks bridge. Now if only I could find someone who has used Mach3 with the Shoptask (TMG) CNC system!
turboman

[Matospeter]

Isn't the shoptask system just a Gecko stepper based system?   I thought it was but it has been a LONG time since I messed with it. That is really one of the best features of the shoptask machine in that it pretty much comes ready to install steppers on it.  Glad to hear you were able to get the machine stiffened up, it would go a long way to making it a more usable machine. The lathe with CNC control would be pretty capable that is for sure. Also making a Gang tooling setup for the lathe using the mill table would be a no brainer.  I never got as far as CNCing my Shoptask because I moved on to seperate mill and lathe when I got a tax return one year but it really would make for an interesting machine for light duty parts.  Your machine appears ready to do some work with all your mods.  I think that bridgemill with the bracket that goes across to the tailstock end of the bed would be probably the best setup with three points of structure and then sandwiching the millhead between the plates like that.  I would think you could even add that to your setup pretty easily.  Anyways, Nice work man and good luck with that heavily modded shoptask. Peace

Pete

[turboman]

Pete, my friend,
   No, my system has never known the lizard! My system is the oldest and shortest lived CNC system Shoptask ever used. In fact, the original Bridgemill they sold me didn't even last the year before they went to the 4 poster and the tail end support. Just my luck I got the prototype (and it was garbage!). As for putting an end support on mine, no need. I get more distortion from the table than I do from my head!
turboman

[Matospeter]

Hey man the lizards are kinda cute ya know...haha good luck with your mill...peace

Pete