Z axis power feed advice sought

[tonyfoale]

I had a bad fall some months back and damaged my left shoulder. I am now starting to get back in the workshop but I find that winding the Z axis crank on a Bridgeport mill is hard going for my left arm. As a result I am considering using a long stroke hydraulic jack to replace the current screw lift but the easiest way would be to buy a ready made electric winder, but I have heard reports of short life spans.

I measured the torque required to wind the handle to be between 90 and 110 inch lbf and the following unit is claimed to be rated for 650 inch lbs. That suggests that it should have a long life span.

This post is directed at those with real world experience with these Z axis winders. Are they worth fitting?

[gatz]

There are other sources for that model , one on Amazon;

https://www.amazon.com/RATTMMOTOR-XY...8&sr=8-19&th=1

Also, if a 460 lbin unit would work;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTDFBKDD...1zcF9kZXRhaWwy

[tonyfoale]

There are other sources for that model , one on Amazon;

https://www.amazon.com/RATTMMOTOR-XY...8&sr=8-19&th=1

Also, if a 460 lbin unit would work;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTDFBKDD...1zcF9kZXRhaWwy

Many thanks. You did not answer my question but your links are to much cheaper sources of the same items and that is very useful info. In general I avoid looking at US sources because shipping is so expensive but not in the case of those in your links. Thanks again.

[gatz]

A jack would not retain the gradations for the Z axis, unless you equipped the mill with a DRO on that axis; it would still be quite a challenge to obtain the desired setting.

i adapted a Milwaukee Hole Hawg for just this purpose, but made it easy to put on & take off so that the normal handle or crank.could be used.

link to article…

Power Feed for Knee Bridgeport & Clones

Other people have made adapters for drills or (air) ratchet wrenches. Much simpler.


Do a google search for

Z-axis crank