Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: turboman on November 08, 2011, 04:21:42 PM
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Hi folks,
I'm new to this forum, but glad I found it. I've got a Shoptask 1720 that I bought new with CNC in 2000. I had so many problems with it I completely redesigned the machine. But that's another story. I recently bought the 4th axis for the CNC system from the original maker, TMG in Texas. Problem is that the operating software is practically undocumented. You have to know how the system works before you can use it. Don't like it anyway. I'm hoping that Mach3 will be easier to use. I'd like to know if there are others out there who have been where I am, getting ready to use Mach3 on an existing TMG controller. Any advice, warnings?
Turboman
PS: I didn't pick the name to sound cool. I actually work with turbo-equipment. :)
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Does that mean you are not really Turboman? I was all excited that one of my favorite Christmas movie heroes was a REAL PERSON!!
I cannot help you with your problem as I do not have one of those controllers. I DID have a SHoptask 17-20 XMTC gold series. I actually built my own quadra lift for it and then sold it soon thereafter. It was a halfway decent machine for what it is. Probably the best of the 3 in 1 variety. It is nowhere near as rigid and capable a mill as my RF45 CNC is. The lath was actually halfway decent and if you are CNC you can make a Gang tooling setup on the table easily. I just bought a nice Hardinge DV59 precision lathe that I am gonna convert to CNC. I actually painted my Shoptask a green color and have always wondered what happened to it. It was a lot of fun learning to use it. If I remember correctly I even put dual motors DC on it. Good luck with your machine and peace
Pete
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Dang! There's a real turboman? Sorry for stealing the name! But yes, I really do work with turbo-machinery.
Personally I had a great deal of trouble with my Shoptask. So bad I tried to return it and found their guarantee was no good. The machine wouldn't hold .010 of an inch, let alone .001. And that was after doing a very careful and complete set up. Bad castings, Bad machining. Roughing cut marks were still visible on the ways when it was delivered!!! I had to tear it apart and re-machine the entire way system. Garbage! Anyway, I replaced the early 4 post system they sold me (one post at each corner of the machine) with a massive two post system I made myself at work and mounted it on top the the gear head. I don't need that outrigger support they have now. Mine is more like a light Bridgeport. I have 1 hp. VFD's both axises, turcite on all of the ways and can hold to .0005 in any axis with little trouble. This machine is no longer a Shoptask! Doesn't even look like one anymore. I even destroyed the name plate! I now get parts from Smithy. I won't go back to Shoptask.
Turboman
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Okay Turboman.... Ya know what they say on the net right.... It is all BS without PICTURES!!! I wanna see that bridgeport capable Shoptask man. I never said the machine was perfect but you sound like you have a real lemon that you turned into lemonade!! Sorry to hear you had such bad luck. I made that four post quadralift simply so I did not have to raise my milling work ten inches up from the table. The damn smithy is the same way. I really do not understand why they cannot make a GOOD 3 in 1 machine. If someone would make a good one you could CNC it and have both a CNC lathe and a CNC mill. They just buy the chinese crap and slap a label on it and sell em. Mine was actually a decent lathe, not great, decent. I enjoyed the large swing and good center height but other than that it was the same typical chinese quality. I did a lot of work on mine to get it to cut okay and the mill was terrible before the lift. After it was not exactly great but at least you could use it. The machine is just a hobbyists machine after all and fortunately there are much better options out there now for the money. You are not the first person I have heard that would like to drive over to shoptask and open up a can of whoopass.... I suppose I was lucky.
So anyways, TURBOMAN, where are the pics?!! peace
BTW here's the REAL Turboman...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bVGr3UWm4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ2bbftyDto&feature=related
Pete
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Ohhh! You're going to make me blush!! I'm at work right now so I don't have the pics, but I'll try get them on ASAP. Gee! Maybe I should market these things? Only problem is that it would be expensive. But man, does it work great...power lift and all.
turboman.
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Well Turbodude, I will withhold comments until I see this bad boy.... Cheers!! Peace
Pete
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Matospeter, are you there. I can't figure out how to add a picture to my post? Never tried before.
turboman
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Sorry Pete, just can't seem to figure it out. Tried the Additional Options route, didn't work. Do you know how to attach Pics??? I should be back from a trip on Tuesday. Pics are ready and waiting.
turboman
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Turboman...
All you have to do is hit additional options tab and then browse your computer for the files and then hit attach. Pretty simple really. You do not have to post them tho, I was just bustin' chops....haha Unless you really want to actually. Peace
Pete
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Hi Pete,
I don't mind posting. I mind not being able too! Tried the additional options tab and it didn't work. I now suspect it was because the pictures were at max resolution...too dang big. So I'm trying again at the smallest resolution the software I have will do. Let's see what happens this time.
turboman
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Pete, my friend,
No, my system has never known the lizard! :D 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
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Hey man the lizards are kinda cute ya know...haha good luck with your mill...peace
Pete
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Hey Turboman,
I'm new to this site.I found this post by searching Shoptask .I know this is an old post and I don't know if you are still around but I thought I would give it a try. I have a shopmaster 2000 and I want to increase It's lift and stiffness. I don't even have the quadralift and I don't want one. I always thought the design was bad, but maybe better than the single 80mm post I have. The structure of your twin post design I like a lot. I want to go with even larger posts, 5"and heaver base, but I had a couple of questions, if you don't mind sharing. How did you make stops/locks for your unit? I guess I just want more specs. and pics so I don't have to start from scratch. If you don't want to share, I understand. Thanks either way
Bruce
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Hi Bruce,
I wouldn't bother going with more diameter than the 3 inches I have. I used 3/8 inch wall pipe and carefully machined it, polished it. This head design doesn't move at all. It has several times the rigidity of the table! The stops and locks I used were actually purpose machined shaft clamps. It makes tightening and loosening a bit more work but they function great. They're fastened directly to the head mounting rig I made. To build my rig you need a milling machine and a good size lathe...besides the shoptask you're modifying. So I hope you have access to a shop. You also need to have welding equipment to permenentaly control unwanted movement. And to be very picky, a surface grinder. I was picky, have access to all of this and my rig has a spindle perpendicularity of .0004 at full extention. This is a lot of work. Good luck and take your time! It's worth it if you have the patience.
Turboman.
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I DID have a SHoptask 17-20 XMTC gold series. I actually built my own quadra lift for it and then sold it soon thereafter. It was a halfway decent machine for what it is. Probably the best of the 3 in 1 variety. I actually painted my Shoptask a green color and have always wondered what happened to it. It was a lot of fun learning to use it. If I remember correctly I even put dual motors DC on it.
Pete
Hi Pete,
Was this your machine? I'm not sure of the model, but the quadra lift and DC motors are there.
...and its green.