Thread: Hercus OLM279

The table tee slots are 11.1mm wide Ben.

BT

Hi All,

For those who are interested, I've taken the mill and VFD to another mate to set up for me. The bloke at work was ginning around too much. Will hopefully have it together in the next couple of weeks.

Cheers Ben.

Hi,

I've got my mill home and nearly set up. A bit of a mission to pick it up and get it home in the garage (trying to fit it in with every thing else was difficult). The VFD is on it and works well.

I've hit one snag though, in testing out how it would fit in one place of the garage I over extended the table traverse. Now I can't get the feed screw to engage the nut. Any suggestions? I'm guessing its something easy but I haven't figured it out yet (was on a timeline to get everything done before the family got home).

Cheers Ben.

Ben,

Is the table now reassembled ?

Bob.

Hi AB,

Yes thanks for your help. I thought I'd pm'd you. With putting in the new mill I've lost a lot of space, so I've spent the last couple of days making room (i've really just moved stuff around and sold or thrown some stuff out).
I did put the vertical head on last night and ran it up. The VFD makes a terrrible whine but works well. I'll be rereading the old VFD posts soon to get some operating hints and points (my mate set up the programme for me). My vertical head has the same problem of overheating as yours. I ran it last night for about 10 minutes at max speed (1190 rpm on the VFD - motor speed) with no load. Heated up significantly (oiled before, during and after running it).
I don't have a Collet chuck or collets at the moment, will most likely purchase what I need from CTC tools in the next week (cash reserves running low). Generally looking at about $130 to $150 including delivery (delivery taking up most of the cost).
I will hopefully have some pics to post soon. I'm really itchin' to get her up and running.

Cheers Ben

Ben,

Any idea of the type of cutters you intend using, unscrewed or screwed shank? If you opt for the latter, I have a Vertex Posi-Lock chuck doing nothing. A Taiwanese answer to the Clarkson Autolock. Comes boxed and with imperial and metric collets. Yours for nothing if it's of use to you. Useless to you though if you intend using straight ( unscrewed ) cutters. I think most of the cheap Chinese cutters are straight. Think because I don't use them.

Bob.

HI AB,

Thanks for your offer. I have a box of Sutton Short Series Threaded Shank Endmills, 6 piece 4mm to 12mm in size. So if your definitely not using your chuck and collets I'll take you up on your offer.

Thanks Ben.

Ben,

Here is a photo of the chuck and collets. According to the cheap chintzy Chinese bathroom scales, the whole lot clocks in at 2.1kg. If that's correct I'll add an ER25 3 Morse chuck to the starter package. I had 2 on the go when I used the Hercus, before I found a Clarkson chuck. I don't need two now. It has been used. It comes collet-less.

Please send me a PM with your postal details. I won't be able to get to the post office till Friday.

Bob.

Hi AB,

PM sent.

Cheers Ben.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Ben,

Here is a photo of the chuck and collets. According to the cheap chintzy Chinese bathroom scales, the whole lot clocks in at 2.1kg. If that's correct I'll add an ER25 3 Morse chuck to the starter package. I had 2 on the go when I used the Hercus, before I found a Clarkson chuck. I don't need two now. It has been used. It comes collet-less.

Please send me a PM with your postal details. I won't be able to get to the post office till Friday.

Bob.

Honestly Bob,
some seriously good Karma is going to come your way one day

Phil

Hello Everyone,

I thought I better post a update of what's happening with my mill.

The mill is up and running on its VFD, which seems to work well. AB has generously given me two collet chucks and I have enough end mills to last a long while. I'm in the process of making up some tee nuts and bolts at work.

I've took a quick cut last week on the mill but can't post any photo's at the moment due to technical problems (me), will hopefully sort that out soon.

I've been away for work for the last week so haven't even been in the garage but will get in there during the week.

Hopefully have something more interesting to post soon.

Thanks for everyone's help and interest.

Ben

Hi,

I've had the mill going now for some time now and really enjoy using it. In the process of attempting to make up a lathe micrometer stop out of aluminium. Its not too hard a project and it's teaching me how the machine operates and it's limitations etc.

Only got the one photo, really just of swarf and attempt number one. Will hopefully have something finished in the near future.

Ben.

Ben
Here is the makeshift cutter & chip guard I rigged up some time ago for the Hercus Mill.
Its simply a piece of flexible clear PVC held at the top by a firm paper clamp.
It seems to work so well that there has been no urgent need to change it to a more technical design.
regards
BruceBruces Projects 3 011.jpg

Hi,

This is the first stage of protecting my mill from swarf:

millcover (2).jpg

When I get the time I will improve it some. I'll have to come up with something else for Horizontal milling as well. I also noticed an extraordinary amount of swarf on either side of the mill (and from the shaper as well), so I'll have a to come up with something for that as well.

So much fun!

Ben.