Engines > Your Own Design
Ohio Locomotive Crane
cnr6400:
:ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: Beautiful job Chris! the crane looks great.
crueby:
--- Quote from: cnr6400 on May 02, 2025, 04:08:51 PM --- :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: Beautiful job Chris! the crane looks great.
--- End quote ---
Thanks Jeff!
Before starting the next project, I'm taking some time to do some more mods on the Sherline mill. A few years ago I picked up one of their larger capacity ones used from a friend of Ron Ginger who was downsizing. Great deal, pretty much brand new equipment. This type mill base has an adjustable arm that can extend out farther and swivel to the side. Turns out that the side swivel, which I have no use for, was a problem since the column did not have a key into the base, and could twist. I fixed that (with some ideas from others here on the forum (like you)) when I added a pin into the base and column. Also swapped out the column for one with a key on the top to prevent the same problem at the top. Not a great design, in my opinion, but I was able to make it work. All that was done not long after getting the new mill base.
More recently though, during the crane build, I noticed that the column kept going out of tram, and figured out why. This style arm allows the column to be tilted front/back, with a large bolt that clamps down on the arms to squeeze a ring on the column end. There is also a set screw at the top of the arm, with a flat on the ring, that does two things. 1) allows finer adjustment to the tilt, with the motor assembly out front there is weight onto the screw when the big bolt is loosened. 2) helps keep the column in position even with the bolt tight.
The problem is two-fold: I was not aware till I took it apart today, but there was packing grease between the arm ends and the ring, so the clamping force was reduced by that lubrication! :wallbang: Also, force from drilling with large drills into steel will push back up the column, and if that clamped joint slips at all, there is nothing else to stop the column from tipping back, which I had happen a couple times. :rant: Each time had to re-tram the column. Here is a picture of the arm/column assembly so you know what I am on about:
So, today's project was so fix that issue. I Took it all apart (and found that packing grease, cleaned that all up). Then went up to my upstaidrs wood shop/storage area and dug out the old mill, with just enough parts left on it to do this job. Took up chuck, drills, mill holder, clamps, all that stuff. What I did was mill a new flat on the bottom side of that ring, and made a new cross bar with another set screw and bolted that to the bottom of the arm, so the two set screws work opposite of each other to aid in alignment adjustments AND help clamp the column in position when the tramming is done. Here is a picture from the bottom:
That SHOULD solve the tilt-back issue in the future. I'll find out on the next project! First, I need to get out the tramming tool and get the column squared up again. Hmmm, what other little projects... :thinking:
EricB:
In theory those bars don't need to be there if everything is clean dry and tight, but a drop of oil and capillary action kills that theory.
I've been using a 2000 mill for a while now. I got it on a whim. It can be a pain sometimes. Now I put a sign on it after I finish anything to check tram before next use. I also have a 5400.
Eric
bent:
Wow. Awesome build, Chris! It's been a fun and informative journey with you, muchos kudos and thanks!
to others:
When I am king, graffiti will be a capital crime and there will be perpetual open season on feral "graffiti artists".
I want to skip king and go to Galactic Overlord. Then I could have them dropped into the sun, slowly.
I totally agree. Someday I may take a spare battery, and a jerry can of diesel, and see if she'll fire back up...well, in my dreams. :embarassed:
I do have a builder's plate I photographed (under the cab, on the rotating frame members), on my good camera. Will try and remember to post it here.
Kim:
Well done, Chris! Beautiful work, as always. :ThumbsUp: :popcorn: :popcorn:
Somehow I missed the water tank going in, but since it's done, I'm betting that got in there too, eh? :Lol:
Thanks for sharing your build with us Chris!
Kim
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