Cheap Power Feed on Aliexpress

[Smouser]

I was browsing Aliexpress and came across a cheap mill power feed for a mill with allegedly 3 days delivery time (stock must be in the UK).

I am going to have a go at installing it on the Z-axis of my Semco mill.
I guess I will have to do some bodging/machining to make it work on the Z-axis as the unit is designed for the X-axis and it will probably take me hours to get it right.

It is £63.23 + vat which makes it £75.88.
You can go through TopCashback which knocks a further 5% off the price.
Alternatively, you could register a new Aliexpress account and use a code (UKNEW6 or VCNEW6) to knock £6 off.

Link

Power Milling 220V Table Milling Machine Adjustable Speed Automatic Tool X-Axis Power Feed Drive Feed Kit for Milling.

I ordered one this morning and will update once I receive it.

 

[Agroshield]

As it states a maximum torque in inch pounds, could you see how closely your mill approaches that? Put a spring balance or weight on the knee crank handle and see how much force it takes to move it. Perhaps load up the mill table with a vice and some sample part. If you are well within the stated capacity, you will be OK; if not, maybe a mechanical reduction would be required.

You could also lok at the specifications of dedicated Z-axis power feeds and see if and how they differ to that one.

 

[Smouser]

Good idea.

However, I already commited

I don't know the force required to move my Semco's knee but it it is MUCH easier to move compared the old Elliott TV2 mill I had. It can be wound up and down with one finger.

I am sure the power feed will be man enough.

 

[Smouser]

I wish my mill could be wound up that easily. I also plan on modifying an align style z axis motor to fit

I was very surprised how easy the Semco's knee could be moved.

For your mill, you probably need a heftier torque power feed version.

I see you can get ones with 650lb/in.

 

[roofman]

I was browsing Aliexpress and came across a cheap mill power feed for a mill with allegedly 3 days delivery time (stock must be in the UK).

I am going to have a go at installing it on the Z-axis of my Semco mill.
I guess I will have to do some bodging/machining to make it work on the Z-axis as the unit is designed for the X-axis and it will probably take me hours to get it right.

It is £63.23 + vat which makes it £75.88.
You can go through TopCashback which knocks a further 5% off the price.
Alternatively, you could register a new Aliexpress account and use a code (UKNEW6 or VCNEW6) to knock £6 off.

Link

Power Milling 220V Table Milling Machine Adjustable Speed Automatic Tool X-Axis Power Feed Drive Feed Kit for Milling.

View attachment 470516

I ordered one this morning and will update once I receive it.

I am interested in one of those at that price...Any idea what the slowest feed it will do?

 

[Smouser]

I am interested in one of those at that price...Any idea what the slowest feed it will do?

No idea.
I had a Wen Ding (it looked the same as the one I linked) power feed on the X-axis of the Elliott TV2 mill and it did run out of torque on the slowest settings. It was only a problem when I used my large fly cutter. For all other uses it could go slow enough.

If your main aim is to run it very slowly, it is probably better to go for the highest/higher torque power feed version.

 

[roofman]

No idea.
I had a Wen Ding (it looked the same as the one I linked) power feed on the X-axis of the Elliott TV2 mill and it did run out of torque on the slowest settings. It was only a problem when I used my large fly cutter. For all other uses it could go slow enough.

View attachment 470577

View attachment 470578

If your main aim is to run it very slowly, it is probably better to go for the highest/higher torque power feed version.

I only have a mill/drill unit and only do light cuts although its a fairly heft lump with R8 tooling, i think the one you listed will be fine for my needs, cheers bud

 

[Agroshield]

I am sure the power feed will be man enough.

On the old one you have, what did it do when it ran out of torque? Did it just stall? Hopefully the new one would give up gracefully like that rather than damaging itself.

 

[Smouser]

On the old one you have, what did it do when it ran out of torque? Did it just stall? Hopefully the new one would give up gracefully like that rather than damaging itself.

Yeah, it stalled out.

On the new one I will probably always use it with the 'boost' button to move the knee up and down so it should have all its torque available.

 

[Smouser]

The power feed arrived today

It is a genuine Wen Ding again

Because this power feed is designed for the X axis I will need to make two parts.

I would have loved to have the dimensions of that extending shaft but I guess I will just have to trial and error.

I did find some dimensions of a extending shaft on some other Aliexpress listing. Not sure if it is the same as the one I require because the one on the bottom photo has an external thread on it.

As a little bonus, the machine skate I ordered also arrived.

It came with some instructions.

Unfortunately, my English is not strong enough to understand it.

 

[Smouser]

I took the handle and dial off the Z-axis shaft and was greeted with a piece threaded onto the shaft.

None of my C spanners/pin spanners would fit that hole.

Luckily, I had a new tool to try out.

The Milwaukee Locking Chain Wrench made short work of unscrewing the threaded part.

Once I had that part off, I could dry-fit the power feed to determine how I would fit it.

It looked like everything would work. However, the shaft was too short to fit the handle.

This is a mock-up of how I wanted it to be.

The first part I had to make was a threaded bush that could screw onto the threaded part of the shaft and engage with the bearing in the power feed.

I used some AP1D material I got at an auction once. I have no idea how much that stuff costs if you buy it new but is was a joy to machine.
Really good surface finish without even trying.

Test fit

All good!

I then withdrew the Z-axis shaft out of the mill.

Dirty, but does not really look too worn.

 

[Smouser]

I drilled the z-axis shaft and made an extension piece that could fit into the shaft.

Then did some dodgy welding trying to keep the heat down.

I put the shaft in the lathe and tried to dial it in.
Good at the chuck end, run out just before the weld. Dialled the area in just before the weld, and then it ran out again at the chuck. Tried that a couple of times and gave up

I moved the welded area close to the chuck, dialled it in and went for it!

Second from last pass.

Done

Dry fit again.

I then cut the keyway for the shaft on the mill.
Yes, I snapped a 4mm end mill. Again.
At this stage, I might just have to buy a 100 x 4mm end mills.

I made a keyway and fitted the brass gear, dial and castellated nut for the handle.

 

[Smouser]

Tested the power feed and all was well!

Quick vertical video of the first test run.

The power feed I have is the lowest torque model that comes in this style of power feed units. While it works, you can hear it is struggling a little bit going up.


I added a spring and a bolt with a washer for the handle so that the handle doesn't fall off the shaft and also doesn't turn when I use the power feed.

So, what is bodged?
The shaft I extended is not 100% straight and there is a slight wobble.
The bolt at the end of the shaft is not 100% centre because I hand-drilled the hole, I really didn't fancy taking everything off again to put the shaft in the lathe to do it 'properly'.

Most importantly, everything works and it did not take me months to do it!

 

[KimB]

Thanks for posting. I wanted to get one of these for my little mill. Does it work smoothly and at a slow enough speed to use as a power feed?

 

[Smouser]

Thanks for posting. I wanted to get one of these for my little mill. Does it work smoothly and at a slow enough speed to use as a power feed?

It is VERY early days.

I literally just finished fitting it so I can't really give a good answer yet.

I will need to use it/play with it a little to give a true verdict.

I am not planning to use mine as a power feed for milling, just to save me winding the knee up and down.

As I have said before, this unit is designed for the X-axis (much less resistance compared to the knee) and should work well on a smaller mill.

 

[roofman]

Thanks for posting. I wanted to get one of these for my little mill. Does it work smoothly and at a slow enough speed to use as a power feed?

Me too..

 

[Smouser]

@KimB and @roofman - The previous power feed I had on the Elliott TV2's X-axis was also a Wen Ding. So exactly the same as what I have on the Z-axis of the Semco now.

Things to bear in mind:
1. The Elliott's table was worn a bit and I had to tighten the gibs to keep the table rigid in the centre - that meant the table was fairly tight when you got to either end of the X-axis movement.
2. The Elliot's table was much harder to move than my current Semco.
3. In the video, the power feed was set to about the slowest I could get the power feed to go without stalling, slowing down, or speeding up.
4. Slower results can probably be achieved on smaller mills/less resistance tables.
5. The videos were just taken to send to a friend on WhatsApp at the time, holding the camera in my hand trying to dodge the red hot chips.

 

[Smouser]

Probably the last update on the power feed for now.

I installed the limit switch.

I also timed the power feed.

From the bottom limit to the top limit it takes 59 seconds. That is holding the 'boost' or rapid feed button down.

Going down from the top limit to the bottom limit takes 44 seconds.

 

[roofman]

@KimB and @roofman - The previous power feed I had on the Elliott TV2's X-axis was also a Wen Ding. So exactly the same as what I have on the Z-axis of the Semco now.

Things to bear in mind:
1. The Elliott's table was worn a bit and I had to tighten the gibs to keep the table rigid in the centre - that meant the table was fairly tight when you got to either end of the X-axis movement.
2. The Elliot's table was much harder to move than my current Semco.
3. In the video, the power feed was set to about the slowest I could get the power feed to go without stalling, slowing down, or speeding up.
4. Slower results can probably be achieved on smaller mills/less resistance tables.
5. The videos were just taken to send to a friend on WhatsApp at the time, holding the camera in my hand trying to dodge the red hot chips.

Thanks for your time on this bud...Perfect for my needs that power feed and a great price for what it is.