build your own multi machine (mill lathe),

[BHD]

stumbled up on a web site that is very intriguing,

how to build your own multi machine, combination mill metal lathe
Open Source Machine

the PDF of the how to build it, 80 pages of info, some good ideas,
http://opensourcemachine.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/how_to_build_a_multimachine1.pdf

video of the machine working,
Multimachine Video : Open Source Machine

US army coursces http://opensourcemachine.org/us-army-courses

 

[sandman2234]

Did the builder mention what tolerances the machine will hold ? With good used machines going as cheap as they currently are, makes me wonder why anyone would want to build one. David from jax

 

[lostcause]

Did the builder mention what tolerances the machine will hold ? With good used machines going as cheap as they currently are, makes me wonder why anyone would want to build one. David from jax

i think it's meant more as a tool for poor countries where even cheap used machine tools are unavailable and prohibitively expensive. i don't think it's real tight on tolerances, but it's probably more than good enough to help produce other pieces of equipment that provide what we consider to be basic necessities. i havent looked at it for more than a few seconds, but it sounds like it can be made from broken or non-functional items that are available most anywhere.

 

[BHD]

there were a number of Ideas that I thought had merit,

one the blocks are square, never really considered that before, I knew it but not considered it before,

another was the way the main spindle was constructed, and adjusted, could be used in other situations,

the idea of the over head arm,

and the idea of using the old block for the base, do to the weight and stability, of it, I could see it being used, for some other type of Ideas,

and for some I thought it could be the ticket for some one who is handy and minimal funds, ad to be able to get some type of machine for machining and metal working,

Or to make a specialty machine for some process,

just thought it was a cleaver idea and doable for many, with out any castings one would need to pour,