mini mill gas strut

John Rudd · Mar 5, 2012

Any mini mill owners out there with the air spring kit from LMS?

Could some one please tell me the diameter of the gas strut rod?

I think it is 8mm but not sure...

and could you also confirm the length of the body please?

Ken I · Mar 5, 2012

I don't know if mine is the same but my gas spring is a 22mm bore x 10mm rod and exerts a force of ±8kgf

I used to make these things and that is a very small force for a 10mm rod gas spring (it is capable of 110kgf at max. pressure)

Stroke is 265mm, body length 322mm - it is equipped with the same ball & stud fittings at either end.

Centre to centre distance for the balls is 625mm extended.

It is installed rod down in my machine - this helps keep the gas in - there is a small quantiy of lubricating oil inside - keeping the seal wet improves life (oil leaks a lot slower than gas - nitrogen or CO2).

Hope this helps.

Now I have to put the damn thing back - doubt its going to be as easy as getting it out.

Regards,
Ken

moanaman · Mar 5, 2012

I have the air spring from LMS also bought their belt drive . Best money I have spent. The mill no longer makes loud grinding noise in your ears and the head stays where you put it with the air spring.

Barry G

rake60 · Mar 5, 2012

I have the LMS air spring on my X2.

If you are referring to the rod that connects the top of the air spring to the head,
it is 12mm with a M10 thread on both ends.

Rick

purpleknif · Mar 6, 2012

I have the air spring but I had to modify the mounting for my mill. Mine has ribs inside the column so I had to extend the mounts and go behind it. Still works pretty good though. The extended rack didn't fit either. Anybody need one?

rake60 · Mar 6, 2012

purpleknif said:
I have the air spring but I had to modify the mounting for my mill. Mine has ribs inside the column so I had to extend the mounts and go behind it. Still works pretty good though. The extended rack didn't fit either. Anybody need one?

That reminds me of something I had forgotten about.

I bought the extended rack for my X2 before I bought the air spring conversion kit, which comes with
an extended rack.

If anyone needs an extended rack for their X2, I have one still in the original plastic wrap and dragon
grease. It isn't doing me any good. I already had one.

I'll ship it out FREE to the first person who requests it.

Rick

gmac · Mar 6, 2012

Rick;
Hand up for the X2 mill extended rack - if you don't mind shipping to west coast Canada!
Cheers Garry

John Rudd · Mar 7, 2012

gmac said:
Rick;
Hand up for the X2 mill extended rack - if you don't mind shipping to west coast Canada!
Cheers Garry

Bu**er you got in there before me....damn time zone difference...

Waiting for the courier to deliver my new strut..
My column is solid and doesnt have the cover mentioned in the LMS kit...
So a bit of trickery will be needed to install the strut.

Ken I · Mar 7, 2012

Are you sure its solid - mine is a hollow extrusion - I presume the "cover" is an end cap.

Ken

rake60 · Mar 7, 2012

gmac said:
Rick;
Hand up for the X2 mill extended rack - if you don't mind shipping to west coast Canada!
Cheers Garry

I sent you a PM Garry.

Rick

purpleknif · Mar 7, 2012

I still have the extended rack. Pay the shipping and its yours.

gmac · Mar 7, 2012

Rick;
PM returned

. Thanks again!
Sorry John!!

Cheers Garry

rake60 · Mar 7, 2012

This is the original column cap off of my X2.

It took a hammer and chisel to get it off. It was a little on the stubborn side.
The Scottish temper kicked in and one last good rap knocked it loose.
And then, I had to re-tram the column to the table. :

Rick

rleete · Mar 7, 2012

That'll show ya!

Funny, mine popped right off. Hardly had to do more than threaten it.

petertha · Mar 8, 2012

I keep this link handy because the mill is similar to my RF-45 & it looked like a nice installation. Cranking the handle gets to be a pain & mine is in an awkward position high up vs down near the base like his.

http://homepage3.nifty.com/amigos/60_Gas Spring/GasSpring-e.htm

Swede · Mar 10, 2012

I added a gas spring to my homemade bench CNC mill to support the very heavy Z, and these things work very well. One thing good to know is that there are ADJUSTABLE gas springs out there... they are shipped very heavily charged, and there is a set screw that lets you bleed gas off until the spring is at a strength appropriate for the task.

Of course, you cannot ADD gas, so one must be careful not to bleed too much off, but they are not too expensive, and a worthy addition to a small mill.

gmac · Mar 25, 2012

Karma point for Rick's generosity - X2 rack arrived! Thanks Rick!!
Cheers
Garry

miner49r · Mar 25, 2012

I'm late for the party again. This is the one I copied for my X2 recently. It doesn't reach into the clouds and leaves room for DROs. The struts came off an old truck tool box and are rated @ 55 lbs each.
Alan

http://www.rysium.com/projects/189-mini-mill-modifications

Swede · Mar 26, 2012

You've got a nice web site there, Miner... I live on an airpark in the Ft. Worth area, a neighborhood of pilots. We've got a 3000' grass strip, and everyone, more or less, is into aircraft, flying, and machining as vintage aircraft are restored and flown. I can't count the number of parts I've helped make for my buddies, especially bronze bushes and other simple parts. Several guys are into machine tools to support the hobby.

I love the mini-mill for the vast number of add-ons, improvements, and the like, that have been offered over the years. And the gas strut mod is definitely a good one.

miner49r · Mar 26, 2012

Swede,
Maybe I wasn't clear. That is not my website. I copied the cable lift from RysiuM. I'm sure he would be flattered by your compliments.
Alan

mini mill gas strut

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