Proxxon MF70 milling machine

[richy_B]

Proxxon MF70 milling machine.
Would this little machine mill a flat in a bicycle axle (bottom bracket). At the mo that is all it needs to do. Quality, accuracy not really an issue, you should see the one I just did with an angle grinder! Anything is better than that.

It is on Axminster tools website. Sorry, I can't post a link the button does not work
Rich

 

[brightspark]

there not hardened are they ??

 

[richy_B]

Don't know TBH, it's off one of the £80-100 type bikes. The angle grinder went through it like a knife through butter.

 

[Wedg1e]

Hmmm, it's a bit... toylike.
Minimum speed 5000rpm... bit high for milling steel unless you use a titchy cutter, in which case you'd be there till xmas. I'm sure for £200-odd you could find a better way, maybe a bench grinder with some kind of jig to hold your spindle? A tool & cutter grinder would make short work of it, you could probably pick one of those up for £100-£150 and it would never lose any value. Do a Google for Clarkson grinder, you'll get the idea.

Is it just a one-off? I could soon trim it in my mill for you, as I'm sure several other forum posters could...

 

[GrahamGKD]

Sorry to be a bit old fashioned but - could you use a file - remember those?? Or maybe rough it out with a grinder and clean up with a file.
Graham.

 

[MaxRPM]

I'm only 10 miles from Wolverhampton and can do it for you with my Bridgeport miller if you want.
Phil

 

[richy_B]

Thank you all for the replies.
Wedg1e, Xmas! I've never worked that fast in all my life! Seriously, I'm only doing this as a hobby so the jobs won't be coming along thick and fast. Toy like would probably do, but I will take your advice and resist the temptation. The more I look at the Clarkson thing the more I want one. I will keep an eye open for something like that. thanks for your kind offer of help too.

GrahamGKD, Actually I can do that with the one I have now, a bit of filing can only improve my angle grinding. I will give it a go. Thanks.

MaxRPM, That is very kind, I will be OK for this one, see GrahamGKD's advice above. If I do any more I will be in touch. Thank you.
Rich

 

[Shox Dr]

There is a facing tool made just for this job, as the threads in the bottom bracket may not be 90degrees to the shell.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=106

 

[richy_B]

Here you go, no laughing at my file, it worked like a trooper, bless it.

 

[Wedg1e]

Call me Mr. Picky, but my bikes always had the cranks at 180 degrees to each other...

 

[richy_B]

Doh! I was doing so well too.

Sorry I should have explained, it is for one of these