To answer my own question, it seems like the Magna 68 is the same spec: https://www.broughtonlubricants.co.uk/bp-energol-cs-68

Hi, Despite relubricating my Orac spindle bearings I've been getting poor running (squeaking, slow to start) recently and the bearings feel a little rough. I decided to disassemble the spindle to inspect the bearings and probably replace them. I've taken the pulleys, nuts etc off the rear of the spi...

Hello,

I know the Triac is supposed to be lubricated with BP: CS 68, but I have a ton of Magna BD 68 and also Hyspin AWS 32 lying around. Could either of these be used safely as an alternative?

Thanks,

Luke

Hi, I'm using Fusion 360 with the Denford post processor and a Denford Triac mill, using VR milling 5. I'm getting lots of faceting (i.e. curves made up of multiple straight lines) in my g-code. I've attached a small g-code excerpt at the bottom of this email. I can also see the results of this in t...

Hi, Thanks for the tip. I have been having more luck since I posted my questions by using coated cutters, and also ripper cutters, and at higher RPMs. I'm used to using manual machines where you do do cuts like that at lower rpm. Out of interest what do you do for tool holding? I can only hold threa...

Hi Andy,

I'm afraid they're gone. I was fed up with looking at them, and that was my 2nd attempt to get rid of them so I assumed they were of no use to anyone.

Cheers,

Luke

Out of interest, is it possible to add a feed override pot to a machine without one? Where would you wire it up?

Cheers!

Hello, I have a couple of orac steppers that are left over from my refit. I'll give them (free) to a new home, but you have to come and get them from me. I'm in Acton, but could also take them with me to work in Reading. FYI I never ran these motors, so I can't say if they're working. Let me know as...

Hi, Steve - Ok, I'll swap for a 10A fast blow fuse. Re the spindle stalling in steel... I checked the motor brushes, although there was a little dust inside (don't know if this is a problem, wiped up what I could), it otherwise didn't look as if there was much brush wear. Also spoke to Sprint Electr...

Up to about 1000rpm. Could you recommend a feed / speed for this? I tried the same operation on my manual machine (1kW @ 1400rpm) and it didn't flinch when I plunged. I was under the impression the Triac had a closed loop controller for the spindle drive, so it would just increase motor torque if th...

I phoned Denford and they recommended a 6.3A slow blow fuse, which is what I've replaced it with. I was able to complete my drilling operation without any difficulty, but I'm now finding that the spindle stalls when I attempt to pocket in mild steel (the fuse isn't blowing though). I'm pocketing a 1...

Yeah it was fuse F1. Don't know how I missed that, must have been rushing!

It's only 3.15A though - is that right? One of the electrical diagrams has it at 6.3A. That said I don't know if it's the correct version of the drawing for my machine though.

Thanks,

Luke

Thanks Moray. I won't have a chance to do this till next week now, but I'll report back what I find.

Luke

Hi Moray,

I tested all the fuses I could see my multimeter, including the one on the motor drive. Yes, a relay clicks when I turn on the drive. The two LEDs on the drive don't light up at all.

Cheers,

Luke

Hello all, My triac spindle stalled today while plunging too aggressively into steel. I was hovering over the pause button so stopped the machine straight away, within a fraction of a second. Went and re cam-ed the operation, came back to run it again and and the spindle wouldn't start. It's a Triac...

Dan, did you ever do this? Are the parts mentioned all that's required, and how easy / difficult was the conversion?

Thanks,

Luke

David, it sounds like you've done this before? Two more questions spring to mind - can the 3-jaw hold a large enough diameter for a backplate? And I read somewhere that it's difficult to get the carriage close enough to the spindle to machine the backplate on an Orac - any truth in this (haven't tri...

Hi Pete, Thanks for that suggestion. So let me just try and flesh out some of the details because I've never tried to machine a backplate. As I see it I've have to chuck the material for the backplate, then machine the taper with the maximum OD at or fractionally under the desired diameter. Then I'd...

Pete -

Well, I've looked around at various times and it seems like no one is quite sure, although I have ideas about making a part to fit, it would entail quite a lot of trial and error.

e.g. viewtopic.php?f=43&t=2890&start=20

TDIPower -

Will check

Hello, I'm trying to work out the best (or any) approach to tackling parts which can't be turned from one end only. I'm used to manual turning on machines where I had collet and 4-jaw chucks, so if I needed to machine from the other side I could take the part out and remount with confidence of conce...