RF-30 Mill Drill Restoration - Forme Industrious 

What a great tip! Thank you Danny, very much appreciated. All the best!

Great idea!

Or filthy animal...

Thanks Phil! I referred to your video quite a few times, just so you know why there has been a spike in views on that video ;) It's a keeper. I need to fix the backlash in the lead screws I think (0.25mm and 0.5mm). Looking into a DRO which would help with that backlash. If you like, send me an Email and many thanks; sturner2022@gmail.com

Scott Turner oh cool. If you DRO it id be keen to see it. Picked up a RDM-350 version of these. Just starting to tool up and learn machining.

Thanks Jim! I'm glad if it can help someone.

Thank you! I was looking for a simple solution for the enlarging the keyway. Fortunately the Aluminium is nice and soft and I could get away with using the chisel. I was surprised how easy it was in the end. I was happy to mention the guys name however he wished to remain anonymous. He is thrilled to see it back in action.

Absolutely I fully agree Batti2323

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious Lucky you didn't just put a VFD on it as I will explain. FYI - I am an engineer with 30+ years in automation and I have installed and commissioned 100s of VSDs all all types of motors. *1st* off the correct terminology these days is VSD (Variable Speed Drive). The old terms of VF, VFD, VVVF and others have been sent to the history bin for the simple reason that these days even basic drives can vary so many motor driving parameters and functions that its just inaccurate to call them anything other than VSD. If you tired an acronym that accurately describes all they can do it would be (in some cases) 100s of letters long. Circa 2010 I used a basic ABB 150 VSD on a fan [pushing air on a mine site. We did that for nothing more than the motor starting. That basic drive had more parameters and capabilities than many of the state of the art drives from the 90s. There was an incredible leap in motor control technology in the late 90s early 2000s. I have used some drives with in excess of 3,500 parameters. Surprisingly some of the really high performance servo amps for robotics are also incredibly simple. Most of those vary nothing more than the torque output. Doing that accurately over the full speed range is the tricky bit. *2nd* there is a huge misunderstanding that single phase VSDs operating at 240VAC input then output 415VAC to the motor. *THIS IS TOALLY UNTRUE.* The way *ALL* VSD's work is they first convert the incoming AC into DC and then use a transistor pack to create the variable 3pahse output. There's no magical voltage increase in that process. *I have seen others make this basic mistake on RU-vid* and there is a simple fix. In Australia many motors under 5kw and most under 2.2kW can be reconfigured. You can use them with 415VAC in DELTA where the 3 coils are arranged in a triangle (the Greek letter for D is a triangle). You can also use them with 240VAC in a STAR configuration where the 3 coils are arranged in a Y configuration. What you do need to consider is the POWER consumption. Not output but consumption which shows up as current. So you have to be carful that the cable to the motor is rated for the additional current. And yes engineers make that mistake way more often than they like to admit. What you can do with many 3phase motors to retain the power output is reconfigure the motor from DELTA to STAR. If you look in the motor terminal box for a 3phase motor most actually have 6 terminals (2 groups of 3 opposite each other, 1 each for the end of each of the 3 windings). There are (in those motors that can do this) 3 small links. If you see those 3 links in parallel across the terminals then the motor is most likely wired in delta configuration. It you see the 3 links being used to connect the 3 terminals on one side together that its wired in STAR. *Look on the inside of the terminal cover or in the manual for the motor to check/confirm how you can wire the motor and what voltages the configurations are for.* *3rd* what many engineers and others mistake is that the motor will deliver the same torque over the entire speed range. In the case of a mill or lathe they are forgetting that with the gear box also changes the torque that is delivered. If you just replace a pully or gear box system with a VSD & Motor its also very easy to lose all of the torque variability. This is why many of the small mills and lathes with VSDs still have a high-low or 3-speed gear box.

It did the trick, I've done dodgier stuff ;) Thank you!

I know! I deleted 90% already before the final edit.

Very kind Michele, thank you! I think there are some fires still causing problems. Summer has a long way to go but the large scale fires have burnt out I believe. Yes another worry is the virus. All the best and one day we can catch up. thank you!

That's funny! Well you'd have more than me! Cheers!

Thanks Terry. It worked surprisingly well. Good thing it was Aluminium though. Steel would be much more difficult.

Done!

It's very important you treat your shaft right. Needs a polish every now and then.....oh gosh, that sounds wrong.....

Good idea. Thanks Tom!!

Ha! If he can carry it out of the shed one handed (greased), hoping, naked and backwards, he can have it.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious that'd be a sight, as always great work.

Only a milk crate worth ;) Thank you John!

Yep, that's how it's done. Slam that grease in there, and try not to get it in your hair etc.

Oh, well....I have a box of parts left over ;)

Never knew that about the three in one. Easy enough to remedy. The chisel was put to bed unharmed, maybe a little shaken... Thanks!

I love the smell of old machinery grime first thing in the morning. Thanks again!!

:) Yes where there is a will there is a way. Cheers!

Ha!

I love the look as hes waxing his shaft 🤣🤣🤣

Thanks Dave! I agree, the Mill will have the answer for a number of workshop problems. Thanks and all the best!

Ha! Yes, but it worked great :) More dodgy stuff to follow ;)

Merci Jeannot!

Thank you! Yes, I'm really enjoying having it.

Huge thanks Bill!

Thank you! There was the odd cuss in the shed.

Thanks TJ!

Oh well! Many thanks!!

All good. Thank you Dan!

The only colour for a machine tool (IMHO). All my machines go that way soonest.

Thanks Max! Trust me, I needed it on this project.

Scott Turner Max Brouggy I don't know about you, Scott, but in my experience, poverty teaches patience. Great job bringing her back to life.

Siempre tienes los comentarios más maravillosos. Siempre los aprecio Rodolfo. Gracias y todo lo mejor mi amigo.

I'm working on it. Might take me a while :)

Thank you Rick!!

Ya Filthy Animal ;)

I thought of Bill when using the can opener, I mean Chisel. Even a thumbs down from you I still count myself a winner. As always, thanks Phil!!

Thank you! Should out last me to the next overhaul.

Yes Ute, or Yoot over here. Short for Utility Truck as they where once called. In Australia every thing gets abbreviated. Cheers John!

Huge thanks again Paul! I'm struggling to squeeze my guts between the bench and the machines now. As it should be ;)

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious When I got myself an Anvil, the missus said "Why?!" and I responded "Why not?!" - It's pretty much my thought process for *any* tool :-)

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious Also... you need to get yourself an 'evaporust' sponsorship ;-)

Sure is getting tight in there, but I'm sure I can squeeze in a few more gigantic machines. Thanks Vince.

Thanks Mark! I didn't know that. Will definitely get some and try it out. All the best down there at the beautiful Sunshine Coast!

Thanks again! Yes I've been playing with it all week.

I'm really enjoying having this machine. I've been on it every day since. Thanks John!

Yep, did that on a BMW motorcycle when replacing the headstock bearings. As you say, they dropped right out.

Thanks for the Tip Andy. I will try it for sure.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious No problem. I learned that as an apprentice. Praying for Australia! Stay safe.

Shiny smooth animal now. Thanks Jim

Thanks again Bonnie! It's all nice and clean now, but to me it will always be a "beautiful filthy thing" ;)

A knee mill is much better for sure, but these round columns are fine for a home workshop. In a production environment they would be no good I agree. Glad you got your Borer running.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious True....I had a Bridgeport but sold it to my ex boss because he wanted it more than me and I bought an AJAX mill which is now also too big for my needs so I'll have to sell it on as the borer is now operational.

Thanks Warren. This one is 415 Volt and it is not exactly new so I figured go single for about 1/3rd the price of a decent VFD. I didn't want to play with start and run capacitors either. I'm a tight arse.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious I'm with you. I added a VFD to my drillpress. Got it from banggood. Was about $140 capable of 2hp. A little bit of fiddling but gives some cool features. Turned a little 3phase motor into single. Used it to make a winch to pull my boat in and out of the shed. Also added fob control forward and reverse.

Too right Derek! Thanks

thank you so much for your support Lars! All the best.

Thanks Rob!

Cheers Colin! Might have to borrow that last addition.

Спасибо!

That's great to hear! It's not that hard, just dirty and heavy. All the best with it.

Thank you George!

Thank you! Well, I haven't done anything that I would call precision on the mill yet. The Specs say it can achieve 0.02mm which is pretty good. To achieve that though I think I would need a quality Collet chuck and end mill. Mine are cheapies but they are okay for my needs.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious Thanks Scott !!!

Too kind. Thank you so much!!

I appreciate your feedback Greg. You know with the rough cast finish on this machine honestly the brush made the most sense to me. I have a HVLP and elected to not set it up. I guess for that first reason and my workshop is a bad space for spray painting being so dusty from my woodwork and metal work. I often Spray just outside the shed, but in the week of the job we had serious rain and humidity. There are reasons and it would be hard to tell any different in this case. Pro Painters have my genuine respect. There is a real art and skill to getting the perfect finish.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious Love your work Scott! Well that's a good point. Painting outside does have its downsides. Keep up the great work.

Thanks Rob! Yes it's a beauty.

I guarantee you this dude is a motorcycle mechanic. That's what I do for a living and I see a lot of similar habits.

Sí, fue tedioso, pero ahora es bueno tenerlo completo. ¡Gracias Sebastian!

That's right I went to file a part yesterday and, thought, hold up, use that big beautiful thing with an Endmill. Big smiles. Thanks again!

Yeppers.

Thanks Ben. I hope so!

I think so. Thanks Tom!

Thanks Paul! Yes it had a few bits and pieces.

Thanks Jaap!

Nice bit of rain. Humidity through the roof though.

Haha, that's the whole reason why I video'd the teardown ;)

Thanks Robert! I know, thought I ordered a grey motor. Bugger!

Thanks Branden!

Thanks Harry!

Através da tradução, não estou completamente certo do que você quer dizer? Usei graxa no rolamento cônico aberto. Os rolamentos da polia superior são vedados. Os parafusos de chumbo, a porca e os rolamentos I lubrificaram, pois possuem bicos de lubrificação a óleo. Eu acho que isso cobriu.

Respondeu as minhas dúvidas. Obrigado

I'm glad the video helps with your project. Yes the half nuts will be worn on the older machines. I've adjusted mine but they are still sloppy. All the best with the rebuild!

Hi Mike. I agree with the table, just take off any high spots with a file or such. Not that critical on these machines and you will save a few dollars. I'm glad the video has helped. All the best!

Thank you Neil! Two steam locos! Respect! I'd like to make a small motor one day.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious Scott, Also, in 2004, a group of us built the worlds largest gas turbine engined aircraft, a 25ft wingspan B-52 with eight engines!! Used my RF-25 to build all of the undercarriage, including brakes and ABS systems!! There are pictures of it crashing at the British Nationals in August 2004!! A sad day.

Thanks Vaughn! Did you see the shirt. Nice fit. Good thing not too many woodworkers watch my work. They'd hunt me down.

@@ScottTurnerformeindustrious I did see it. Took me completely by surprise popping up like that. Now I'm curious to see what you come up with for those nails. :D

Thanks Kevin. Much appreciated!

Thanks Igor. I've been using the machine everyday since, cheers!