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5th February 2014, 07:38 PM #1
Steelmaster SM MD12V Mini Mill Drill Belt Conversion
When it comes to the metal lathe etc, I am a newbie, in Electronics that is my profession; I purchased a Steelmaster SM MD12V Mini Mill Drill, some years ago maybe 3 or 4 years ago, I used it ONLY for drilling, I found the depth and the solid structure really helped when drilling pen blanks, along with the variable speed. However, about a year ago the middle plastic gear stripped--yuk--a plastic gear between two metal gears!
So I ordered a belt conversion kit and the attached PDF tells the story, Amos
Mini Mill Belt Conversion.pdfGood, better, best, never let it rest;
Til your good is better, and your
better, best.
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5th February 2014 07:38 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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5th February 2014, 07:55 PM #2
Excellent addition to the forum's knowledge base Amos, I'm sure this very detailed information will be of value to all Mini Mill owners.
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5th February 2014, 08:31 PM #3Philomath in training
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Interesting mod Amos.
Does the mill run any smoother for having a belt rather than a gear?
(NB plastic gears aren't so bad provided they are the right plastic)
Michael
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5th February 2014, 08:42 PM #4
Michael, yes, much quieter and smoother, with larger size drills I use to get quite a chatter, but ok now, still wish it was a toothed belt, I reckon there would be less slippage when the going gets tough.!Amos
Good, better, best, never let it rest;
Til your good is better, and your
better, best.
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5th February 2014, 08:44 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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Ditto.
Interesting.
Couldn't you just replace the plastic gear with an alloy one ?
RobThe worst that can happen is you will fail.
But at least you tried.
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5th February 2014, 08:46 PM #6
Nice job Amos, and good writeup, its always more interesting to read of the things that didn't work out, and the way you solved the various problems..
Ray
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5th February 2014, 09:57 PM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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Good job PenTurner. Thanks for taking the time to write it up.
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5th February 2014, 10:11 PM #8GOLD MEMBER
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Nice one Tori!
I can confirm that plastic gears are OK if the right stuff is used. Either way, I like the mod and thanks for sharing. Also, it's a PITA when a project does not go smoothly but in the end it adds to the satisfaction of achieving the result!
Cheers,
SimonGirl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.
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5th February 2014, 10:22 PM #9
Apparently, this gear is a common problem and the better solution seems to be this modification!? And--not sure what the consequences of making that gear out of metal would be? maybe it would crunch the other gears cause too many metal filings?? Will need to do some research into it. Amos
Good, better, best, never let it rest;
Til your good is better, and your
better, best.
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6th February 2014, 06:54 AM #10Philomath in training
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A metal gear should not crunch the others if properly set up.
The main reasons for using a plastic gear are cost, low noise (won't ring when rotating), reduced or no need for lubrication and as a weak link.
With the right plastic you should not have had a problem. With garden furniture grade nylon however...
Michael
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6th February 2014, 08:04 AM #11GOLD MEMBER
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6th February 2014, 08:15 AM #12
Now to find the correct gear in the proper material might be difficult, unless one is skilled enough and has the tools to make one,Amos
Good, better, best, never let it rest;
Til your good is better, and your
better, best.
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6th February 2014, 07:57 PM #13Member
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Amos,
Well done.
That mill looks like a version of the Sieg X2 mill. Metal gears are available for these from the Little Machine shop online.
The plastic original gears on these are OK until the first crash, heavy intermittant cut, or use of a fly cutter, all of which will strip the gears quicksmart.
The belt drive conversion is much, much better than the original gear system as it is substantially quieter and smoother, more robust, and more forgiving of the above cutting scenarios.
I did a home made belt drive conversion on my X2 (detailed in https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/yo...ml#post1622786) using a small multi-vee belt that is more flexible than the single vee-belt in the kits,allowing in internal belt tensioner to be used.
If your belt slips under load it may not tensioned enough. I would expect the belt should grip all the way up to the motor control overload tripping (assuming your mill has this feature), except for momentary sudden cutter jams and such things.
Andrew
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6th February 2014, 10:32 PM #14
Thanks Andrew, I am only 10 minutes from you!, looked at your thread, and looks like some good work done on the modification. If you are down the main street of FTG, call by "Amos Electronics" at 88 Station St.
My main use has been for precision drilling of pen blanks, I find it sturdy and steady with more depth, and the electronic speed control is very useful. However, it would be good to expand my use to milling and such like.
I have also been watching some video's on a link sent to me by Fred (Big Shed)
Projects 3
Found them very educational, AmosGood, better, best, never let it rest;
Til your good is better, and your
better, best.
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