I just couldn't resist...........

[Runs With Scissors]

Well, my never ending "List", keeps growing, it's approaching 240,000 things ( ) but when I got home yesterday, I opened a package from @Lil Foot.

My "power feed" has arrived!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOO........HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Now, my plan was to put it aside and go do some household chores..............BUT.......as per normal I was going to "just inventory it" , but then one thing led to another......

Here is the initial "inventory" shot......

(Note the mess....I should have cleaned up, but not to worry.....it's on "The List" )

I'm not sure what these (pictured below) are for yet, and since I bought an "open boxed" item, with no instructions, that was no surprise.

That "L bracket" thingy has me stumped........I cant find any place where it fits on the motor, so I am figuring that since this motor is not made for my little Chi-Com mill, it might be "extra"?? (along with that rectangular piece)

This switch appears to be some sort of 'stop switch' since it is wired directly to the motor.

Not sure exactly how it works yet, but I'm sure/(hope and pray) that I figure it out.

The very first thing I "try on" is the "main drive gear". I figure that if this fits then I have a "fighting chance" of this thing working.

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!........It fits "like a glove"

So as I am looking at my "well fitting gear", out of the corner of my eye, I notice this "slot" on the front of the table that looks mysteriously like the same shape as the "L brackets" base.

Hmmmmmmm...........

Yep........so far, so good.....I think.

 

[johnjk]

Get the popcorn and pull up a chair. This is gonna be good.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

As I am 'patting myself on the back" for figuring out what I believe to be the solution for the "L bracket mystery", it hits me like a sack of hammers.

This "safety stop" looks suspiciously like the same "bolt pattern" of that rectangular piece.

Hmmmm.........

Well I decide it's time to try and see if the "main body" fits and sure enough it does.

I forgot to take pics of it during the "trial fitment", but it looked good.

The only "concern" I had was if the bolts were going to interfere with installing the T-nuts for securing parts to the table. Not a major concern, as I figure that I would just get a couple of shorter bolts.

But as it turns out, the T-nuts fit.

Its a little tight, so if it becomes problematic, I will get some shorter bolts in the future.



Now its time to install the motor and I remember watching a video where the guy used a piece of "printer paper" as a "shim" to space the gears.

I used this trick previously when I had/have to change my gears on my little Craftsman lathe gears.

So I cut a strip out and laid it over the gear, before installing the motor.

Then I installed the motor, and tightened it up.

Now getting everything lined up is kind of one of those things where it would be handy to have 3 extra hands, but after some "finagling" I got it.

I think I am pretty well on my way, and just about done.

The last thing to do is figure out this "safety stop" .

After some "trial and error" I see that the "rectangular piece" fits well and the bolt pattern will line up with the switch.

But there is one problem........(isn't there always???)

The switch will hit my mill vice when it's mounted, even on the "shortest setting".

The "back piece" is hitting the "rectangular piece" not allowing it to "go low enough," so what to do?

Well after several attempts at differing configuration's, it's pretty clear that some "surgery" is going to be necessary to make this switch work.

I gotta get out the "big guns" and get my trusty angle grinder.

I don't want to screw up this switch, so I "look up its skirt" to see how far I can go.

Then I mark it , and cut away the part that is "hitting" .

 

[Yooper]

So far so good! I have three of this brand installed on my mill. It’s been too long for me to remember installing them, but I know somewhere along the line you use shims to get the clearance right. I saved all my leftover ones so if you need them send me a pm.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Now she fits low enough not to hit.

Well bring down that "Fat Lady" and have her warm up, cause she's about to sing............ now all thats left is to "give it a whirl"

Here it is, in all it's "splendor and glory".........and it works great!!!!!

The "safety stops" work great and I didn't even have to move the "mini mill" around.

Just by happenstance, it fit without hitting anything.

Here are the "full left" and "full right" shots

Here is a video of my "test run."

https://rumble.com/v6wkkr4-testing-the-install-of-an-alsgs-power-feed-on-my-chi-com-mill..html

THE END.


EDIT: Thinking back about it, I am quite surprised that this thing fit. Bordering on "shocked".

I bought this mill about ~30 + years ago from Production Tool. (still there too, I just checked)

Hahahah....I used to live about 10 houses down from that place and one day I was bored and doing some "window shopping" (this was basically "pre internet") and I saw it "on sale".

Well, when "push came to shove" I just had to have it and the rest, as they say, is history.

I want to say I paid about 399 for it.

It aint much, but its fun to play with, and makes me feel like a "real machinist" ........sometimes.......

 

[Runs With Scissors]

So far so good! I have three of this brand installed on my mill. It’s been too long for me to remember installing them, but I know somewhere along the line you use shims to get the clearance right. I saved all my leftover ones so if you need them send me a pm.

Thanks, I appreciate the offer.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

I think your workbench looks fairly tidy, at least some parts of the worktop area are still visible

Great that you have the power feed running.
Something that is on my "like to have list" too...

One thing I find a bit frightening. After the familiar looking lathe I now see a very familiar looking milling machine and also the identical clamping kit that I have in the workshop

 

[Runs With Scissors]

One thing I find a bit frightening. After the familiar looking lathe I now see a very familiar looking milling machine and also the identical clamping kit that I have in the workshop

Great minds think alike!

 

[Lil Foot]

Paul, glad it worked for you, especially with so few mods.

Now I'm jealous because I still have no power feeds on the mill.

One thing I find a bit frightening. After the familiar looking lathe I now see a very familiar looking milling machine and also the identical clamping kit that I have in the workshop

I also recognize the lathe, and the clamping kit. I have two, one in red and one in blue.

 

[Lil Foot]

Did you find a use for the black plastic half round thingy in pic #3 ?

I guessed that it might be a guard for the exposed gear, but I didn't investigate further.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Did you find a use for the black plastic half round thingy in pic #3 ?

I guessed that it might be a guard for the exposed gear, but I didn't investigate further.

Yes sir, I think I did.

I am reasonably certain that it goes as shown below.

I also investigated that little chip/hole. I pulled it off to take some measurements in order to 3D print one.

Turns out that the hole pattern made it "reversible"

So I just turned it over.

The name is upside-down, but the next person to read it, will be the guy that buys it from my estate sale for pennies on the dollar so ...To hell with him, he's still going to get a good deal.......



Thanks again Bill