X-axis power feed: worth it?

[skotl]

Wife is asking me what I want for Christmas and this is the best I can think of, tool-wise:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09P2P7LH8/?coliid=I107TU3QLPJY2H&colid=147PSXOIGSZBI&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It is a pain, when I use the mill (which admittedly isn't as much as I'd like) to get the X back and forth.

There are plenty youtube vids but I'd be keen to learn from the folks on here about whether these are useful bits of kit.

 

[addjunkie]

Looks very similar to whats fitted to my warco one

 

[hotponyshoes]

If it's the type where the original handle remains on the machine and you can still use it manually then I cannot see any reason not to have one?

It certainly makes a difference to getting a good surface finish.
If you set up a decent size piece for a final skim you can powerfeed across for each cut and get a bit that is ready to use after a quick polish around the edges.

I also find the tooling lasts better with a power feed, mainly because you can turn the coolant feed up as you don't have to stand there and get splashed by it. Also gives you chance to hook out any trailing bits before they get pulled in by the cutter or blow chips away with an airline.

Infact, that's the only downside.
Powerfeed on a single axis (or even all axis) is a long way from a cnc mill.
It's quite boring standing there waiting for the x to traverse. Then twiddling the z, waiting for the x to wind all the way back again, twiddling the z, twiddling the y, setting it of again and standing there.
Sometimes I'd rather be winding the x by hand myself for something to do rather than standing there looking at it go around...

Mine has an adjustable stop for the powerfeed that you can set to the end of the workpiece. I would say that would be the minimum requirement for one as at least then you can carry on with doing something else at the same time rather than just waiting for it to do its thing.

 

[Dr.Al]

I made a power feed for my mini mill and it's one of the best mods I ever did. It's lovely being able to power back and forth: either to create a lovely finish with a fly cutter or to just make the process of taking loads of passes for a deep groove slightly less tedious. I'm also much less likely to break a tiny cutter by turning the feed handle too quickly.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Regarding the add-on feed in the link, I have no idea. Mine is the original mechanical version.

The one in the link looks to me like a geared motor in a fancy case.
If that is what it is then I would think you could just get a motor/gearbox and stick it on.
Although I suppose by the time you have made it splash proof, added the direction/speed/jog controls that one is probably actually cheaper

I know nothing about them but if I was looking for one I'd be looking to see if you can get one with a dro built in?
Or, if you have to swap these for the existing handle, checking the original dial gauge will remain in place and that its visible afterwards.
Unless this has some sort of quick-fit method where its easy to swap the pf/handle over.

Or, make up your own quick-release fitting for it. Then you can add receiver brackets in various places and use the one unit on multiple axis, use it on the lathe, have power feed on your pillar drill....

I don't know if they are available but, if not a full on dro, then some sort of programmable stop would be nice, even if it only went 0-10 you could set it to 0 before the cut starts, then make it stop at 3 when it's clear of the cut.

Depends on your goals for the unit really, are you after a better finish, faster production or just trying to save the joints in your arms from wearing out?

 

[Agroshield]

We had an identical question/thread to this two weeks' ago, so there might be useful info. there:

Power feeds x/y addition (warco wm20)

Looking at this cheaper version to add fur lack of X axis powerfeed Wondering if the same could be used without too much hassle for the Y leadscrew

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[awemawson]

Looks like a copy of the Align power feed that has been arround for yonks. I have one on the Z knee feed of my Bridgport (nb high torque version) and it's given good service for 15 years. They usually come with a spare gear and multiple ways of fitting. (My X still has the mechanical version)

 

[6ply]

Wife is asking me what I want for Christmas and this is the best I can think of, tool-wise:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09P2P7LH8/?coliid=I107TU3QLPJY2H&colid=147PSXOIGSZBI&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It is a pain, when I use the mill (which admittedly isn't as much as I'd like) to get the X back and forth.

There are plenty youtube vids but I'd be keen to learn from the folks on here about whether these are useful bits of kit.

Will you be able to disengage the handle when doing a rapid traverse on power feed? The handles can spin around pretty fast.

 

[awemawson]

Standard Bridgport Z handles have a dog clutch on their rear and the spindle has the matching half so the handle disengages by just pulling in out a bit. I always leave my Z disengaged as it blooming well hurts if you walk into it !