Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: December 17, 2012, 11:25:45 AM »

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.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 17, 2011, 11:14:41 AM »

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

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 15, 2011, 10:50:40 AM »

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

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 13, 2011, 05:16:50 PM »

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.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 13, 2011, 05:12:56 PM »

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

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 11, 2011, 12:28:01 PM »

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

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 11, 2011, 11:56:13 AM »

Matospeter, are you there. I can't figure out how to add a picture to my post? Never tried before.
turboman

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 10, 2011, 01:21:22 PM »

 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.

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 10, 2011, 11:41:08 AM »

   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

10

General Mach Discussion / Shoptask 1720 gold.

« on: November 08, 2011, 04:21:42 PM »

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.