Casey's CNC Mill Conversion Project
Donation protected
Have an idea for a part? Help me out with the conversion and you will have access to the mill for whatever you can dream up!
Have you ever had an idea for a product or invention but didn't have the equipment to see the project become a reality? Or maybe thought of something you could improve upon but didn't know where to start? Maybe you have run into the issue of trying to find obsolete parts or perhaps realized it would be cheaper to design and make your own? Whether you are a garage warrior, a mad robotics scientist, a do-it-yourself master, or an ingenious inventor you will always need a way to bring your ideas to life. That is where I come in!
Hi, my name is Casey and I am machinist. If you don't know a machinist is a skilled craftsman that works in metals to create functioning parts used in many different projects. I am 25 years old and I live in Minnesota. I recently graduated from school with a degree in Computer Integrated Machining. Growing up on a farm I have always been interested in building and fixing things with my hands and now with the skills needed to take that passion to the next level all that is missing is the machine to do it.
As the only boy in my family it has seemed to me that I would have to stay home and take over the family farm. For my entire life I have left that was what I had to do but that wasn't exactly what I wanted to do. I just couldn't stand the feeling of letting everything my family had built go to waste. That guilt made way for a long bought of depression which ultimately led to me dropping out of high school in 2010. Feeling lost and alone I stayed to myself and helped on the farm. Never having much money my parents did everything they could for me with in their means but they could tell I just wasn't happy. I finally sat down with my father and had a serious talk. I was amazed when he told me that he and my mother had always known that farming wasn't for me. A weight fell off my shoulders. Since then my parents and family have had nothing but unconditional support for me to pursue what I truly want to do. It wasn't easy going back to a school setting and trying to be a young adult again after being on the farm and away from people my own age but with the help of my instructors and new friends I came to love machining. Now I am looking to further my passion by opening my own small machine shop on my family’s farm so I can both help my parents and pursue my own goals.
Recently I purchased a computer numerically controlled milling machine. It happens to be a 1985 Bridgeport R2E4 and I am asking for $2000 to upgrade this machine and bring it into the 21st century.
Some might ask, "Why upgrade such an old machine? You should just scrap it." That's not how I operate. This is a machine that is made in America and still has legs to run. Bridgeport is a legendary machine tool company. It is a three axis machine with precision capabilities to machine materials from wood and plastic to stainless steal. It isn't the largest machine in the world but don't count it out. With a two horsepower three phase motor it can achieve spindle speeds of 52-4200 rpm. Table movement is 18 inches in the X axis, 12 inches in the Y axis, and has 5 inches of quill travel with a part weight limit of 300 lbs. It came out of a high school and never saw production work and thus shows very little wear.
The only problem is its age. The electronic controls for this machine are over 30 years old, that’s older than myself. In order to make this machine produce great parts for you it needs an upgrade. It needs new software first of all. I plan to use a very highly recommended program called Mach4. It also needs DC servo drivers, limit switches, a breakout board, spindle speed controller, power supplies, wiring, and a long list of smaller components. Unfortunately these parts are not cheap but I plan to reuse as much as possible to keep the cost low. A ready-made kit cost $11,000 and I just never could justify that and this way it is exactly as it needs to be to suit our needs.
I already have a laptop that runs brand new CAM/CAD software. These tools will allow us to design and machine countless parts. The toolpath options include boring, pocket milling, contouring, engraving, drilling, and taping. The possibilities are virtually endless.
You will also be able to follow along in the progression of the upgrade. I will be starting a blog post pertaining to all the details and goings on. There I will put pictures and videos and when it makes its first chips you will be able to see it in action.
So what is in it for you? Free or discounted machining service. Not only on this machine but throughout my shop. You send me your print, CAD model, or even the part itself to duplicate or modify and I return to you a finished product. Need multiples, no problem. If you donate to my GoFundMe, my services are at your disposal. Just pay for the material and my time is free. If you donate $200 dollars or more I will create your first product free minus material cost. If you can't afford to donate that much don't worry about it. We will work something out and I promise you won't be disappointed.
So if you want to have a machining service at your disposal and the ability to bring your ideas to life donate today!
Have you ever had an idea for a product or invention but didn't have the equipment to see the project become a reality? Or maybe thought of something you could improve upon but didn't know where to start? Maybe you have run into the issue of trying to find obsolete parts or perhaps realized it would be cheaper to design and make your own? Whether you are a garage warrior, a mad robotics scientist, a do-it-yourself master, or an ingenious inventor you will always need a way to bring your ideas to life. That is where I come in!
Hi, my name is Casey and I am machinist. If you don't know a machinist is a skilled craftsman that works in metals to create functioning parts used in many different projects. I am 25 years old and I live in Minnesota. I recently graduated from school with a degree in Computer Integrated Machining. Growing up on a farm I have always been interested in building and fixing things with my hands and now with the skills needed to take that passion to the next level all that is missing is the machine to do it.
As the only boy in my family it has seemed to me that I would have to stay home and take over the family farm. For my entire life I have left that was what I had to do but that wasn't exactly what I wanted to do. I just couldn't stand the feeling of letting everything my family had built go to waste. That guilt made way for a long bought of depression which ultimately led to me dropping out of high school in 2010. Feeling lost and alone I stayed to myself and helped on the farm. Never having much money my parents did everything they could for me with in their means but they could tell I just wasn't happy. I finally sat down with my father and had a serious talk. I was amazed when he told me that he and my mother had always known that farming wasn't for me. A weight fell off my shoulders. Since then my parents and family have had nothing but unconditional support for me to pursue what I truly want to do. It wasn't easy going back to a school setting and trying to be a young adult again after being on the farm and away from people my own age but with the help of my instructors and new friends I came to love machining. Now I am looking to further my passion by opening my own small machine shop on my family’s farm so I can both help my parents and pursue my own goals.
Recently I purchased a computer numerically controlled milling machine. It happens to be a 1985 Bridgeport R2E4 and I am asking for $2000 to upgrade this machine and bring it into the 21st century.
Some might ask, "Why upgrade such an old machine? You should just scrap it." That's not how I operate. This is a machine that is made in America and still has legs to run. Bridgeport is a legendary machine tool company. It is a three axis machine with precision capabilities to machine materials from wood and plastic to stainless steal. It isn't the largest machine in the world but don't count it out. With a two horsepower three phase motor it can achieve spindle speeds of 52-4200 rpm. Table movement is 18 inches in the X axis, 12 inches in the Y axis, and has 5 inches of quill travel with a part weight limit of 300 lbs. It came out of a high school and never saw production work and thus shows very little wear.
The only problem is its age. The electronic controls for this machine are over 30 years old, that’s older than myself. In order to make this machine produce great parts for you it needs an upgrade. It needs new software first of all. I plan to use a very highly recommended program called Mach4. It also needs DC servo drivers, limit switches, a breakout board, spindle speed controller, power supplies, wiring, and a long list of smaller components. Unfortunately these parts are not cheap but I plan to reuse as much as possible to keep the cost low. A ready-made kit cost $11,000 and I just never could justify that and this way it is exactly as it needs to be to suit our needs.
I already have a laptop that runs brand new CAM/CAD software. These tools will allow us to design and machine countless parts. The toolpath options include boring, pocket milling, contouring, engraving, drilling, and taping. The possibilities are virtually endless.
You will also be able to follow along in the progression of the upgrade. I will be starting a blog post pertaining to all the details and goings on. There I will put pictures and videos and when it makes its first chips you will be able to see it in action.
So what is in it for you? Free or discounted machining service. Not only on this machine but throughout my shop. You send me your print, CAD model, or even the part itself to duplicate or modify and I return to you a finished product. Need multiples, no problem. If you donate to my GoFundMe, my services are at your disposal. Just pay for the material and my time is free. If you donate $200 dollars or more I will create your first product free minus material cost. If you can't afford to donate that much don't worry about it. We will work something out and I promise you won't be disappointed.
So if you want to have a machining service at your disposal and the ability to bring your ideas to life donate today!
Organizer
Casey Thrond
Organizer
Janesville, MN
