Recent content by Thorn3

This is for anyone who wants to get into home machining, using the Grizzly (or equivalent) G4000 lathe: http://makerspace.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/68326461/Rebuild%20920%20Lathe%20Manual.pdf The link will bring you to a page that describes how to turn the machine into a more serious machine...

crazyhorse21: I have six 'Afro' ESC's and one 3DR PixHawk. I run the software on my Sony Vaio Duo 13.

crazyhorse21: Thanks! I agree... it disheartens me every time I machine parts and see that laser etched 'made in China' on the vise. I would grind it off, if it wouldn't ruin the surface. I suppose I could Photoshop it out. :shame: Machine rebuilds are in progress. Should be able to get...

Did some machining on the servo arms. While doing so, I decided to modify my machines to take into account that I am not getting any younger. My eyes just don't like working with dials on the mill, so I ordered a DRO so I can more easily keep track of table movement. Dials just don't cut it...

Toymaker: Thanks! A question for you. In your build, is there a reason you chose Nylon over Delrin for the mounts?

Here is the servo rod for the pan axis in the gimbals assembly. It is pretty straight forward. A through hole is drilled, then opened up with a boring head to the right diameter and depth to hold the bearings. Shape the outside, polish and there it is. Next up are the horns for both the...

Simspeed: Thanks! SoCal Blur: I made a mistake in typing the model number of the mill. It is 'G0619'. Here is a link to it: http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-x-21-Mill-Drill/G0619 and the lathe: http://www.grizzly.com/products/9-x-19-Bench-Lathe/G4000

SoCal Blur: Thanks ! I was an engineer, but used machines a lot for prototypes at work and hobby work at home. I didn't have a classical education in machining but it was pretty easy to figure out as I went. Learning the basics comes quickly and once one has the feel of a machine, the rest...

SoCal Blur: Thanks. My motor requirements are much like a person who builds their own sports car. The engines don't only perform at their peak for a given application, but they are also a work of art inside and out. Form and function follow the overall design. Purchased motors are not...

Next is on to the shorter, three bearings. These use the Igus sleeve bearings. The process is similar to the servo output bearing/coupling, using the same materials.

Bearings are needed in the gimbals assembly. Igus brand sleeve bearings were chosen due to their light weight and ability to handle the ingestion of debris. Ball bearings would have been a good option as well, but at a cost of weight. All four bearings were machined from round stock. It...

It is a shame I didn't take more pictures of the processes involved here. Now, two brackets need to be made to hold the camera as well as act as the tilt axis. These are like the other parts, made of the same material, cut from the same type of stock. These two parts are also machined...

The pan brackets are machined from 6061_T6 Aluminum, rectangular bar stock. As usual, machine to accurate external dimensions, then proceed from there. Both top and bottom pan brackets are drilled and pocketed together, to insure accuracy between the two.

Here are some pictures showing the servo housing completed and the servo installed. Next will be to machine the bearings, pan and tilt brackets.

It is important for the gimbals assembly to allow equal motion from a common point on both pan and tilt axis. A servo box was needed for the tilt servo and is the basis for both axis. Here is how it was machined. After all exterior surfaces were machined, the interior was pocketed for...