Cowells Milling/ Z axis design

Advert

New Replies

Report Bug

Help/FAQs

Cowells Milling/ Z axis design

This topic has 15 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 19 May 2022 at 02:50 by Steve Wan 1.

Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)

Author

Posts
14 May 2022 at 17:20 #598256
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Hi Folks

Greetings to all

I'm building a small table top mill with some thoughts from Cowells mill. I like the z axis feed screw vertically with a top handle rather the conventional position at the base with bevel gears. My mill has little room below the mill table. Hence, Cowells design is best to apply.

Wonder anyone here can share photos of the assembly drawing or explain type of bushing and attachment design to the mill body and the table?

Much appreciates ahead.

Steve Wan
Advert

14 May 2022 at 17:20 #14564
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Cowells Milling/ Z axis design
14 May 2022 at 17:42 #598257
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
Its the same design on my shoreline maybe a look at their site might. There is also Taig or Peatol
14 May 2022 at 22:12 #598277
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
There are some useful-looking images here: **LINK**

http://www.lathes.co.uk/cowells-miller/

MichaelG.
15 May 2022 at 16:41 #598321
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Hi Bernard, could you share some light over the assembly of the z axis of your Shoreline? Much appreciated here.
15 May 2022 at 16:43 #598322
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Hi Michael, thanks for the link to Tony's http://www.lathes.co.uk. But I need to know parts here to join altogether.
15 May 2022 at 21:35 #598346
bernard towers
Participant
@bernardtowers37738
Suggest you trawl the sherline website
15 May 2022 at 23:10 #598356
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Steve Wan 1 on 15/05/2022 16:43:58:

… But I need to know parts here to join altogether.

.

I’m afraid you’ve lost me, Steve … this photo seems to illustrate it all rather well:

.

[Credit : http://www.lathes.co.uk/cowells-miller/ ]

Unless you actually want full drawings of the Cowells components, I would have thought there was plenty of information there ^^^ to show the design principle.

MichaelG.

.

P.S. __ from the Cowells brochure:

Vertical Travel – 164mm – 6.5”

Feedscrew Pitches – 1mm

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 15/05/2022 23:18:30
15 May 2022 at 23:58 #598361
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Another useful detail photo: **LINK**

http://www.cowells.com/Gallery/Vm16.jpg

MichaelG.
16 May 2022 at 13:56 #598409
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Hi Michael

Thanks, all the parts here are crystal clear just that I'm figuring out where's the best place to put the compression bearings? Below the hand wheel or the plate joining the pillar?

Of course if anyone would scan me the assembly drawing would the great!

BTW Bernard I have mistaken your word for Shoreline with Sherline I have both Sherline mill and lathe for years, Yes, I could copy the design.

Steve W.
16 May 2022 at 16:51 #598423
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
What are compression bearings? I will take a wild guess that you mean thrust race, and that would go under the assembly that rotates.
17 May 2022 at 06:19 #598448
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Hi Baz, Yes thrust bearing. Any thoughts where's the best place to put?

Below the handwheel or nearer the feed screws? You own a Cowells Mill?

Steve W.
17 May 2022 at 08:45 #598453
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
Steve, the clue is in the name, thrust bearing. What direction do the forces act when you operate the screw?
17 May 2022 at 09:09 #598455
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Have a look at this, Steve : **LINK**

https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projects/MYF001/myford-cstb-mod.html

Now … use your imagination, and visualise it operating in the Z-axis

That would surely be a good basis for your design.

Note: I have never seen the actual Cowells unit dismantled.

MichaelG.
18 May 2022 at 19:55 #598553
Phil H1
Participant
@philh196021
Is a ball race strictly necessary? I would have thought that a plain, bronze washer would have been adequate?

Phil H
19 May 2022 at 02:50 #598568
Steve Wan 1
Participant
@stevewan1
Hi John, Michael and Phil, thanks for the feedbacks

Yes, I think the best spot for thrust bearing is next to the handle where the turning load is at most. Yes, also a bronze washer can be used. Infact, one of my washer is a thick PVC and has been in use for years.

Steve W.
Author

Posts