Thread: Beginners 80% rebuild of an emco compact 5 CNC lathe

If it´s not for old times sake, it´s best to get rid of the control, the drive and the steppers. The drive is compared to modern motors with pwerful magnets underpowered, the steppers have a resolution of only 72steps/rev and the programming is a hassle. If you don´t end up with EMC you may want to look at TurboCNC. It keeps up the old time spirit but is pretty powerful.
The Emco is great for small parts, you´ll love it. Some even came with a tool revolver.


Cheers,
Johann

Way too much work for me...but one hell of a job.

Lathes are pretty simple animals...just everything needs to be done right to get good parts.

When you start making parts don't forget to post.




John...what the deal with calling the lathe a Joke?? If it fits his purpose then that is all that matters.
If I could efficiently load and unload parts in one of those I'd put one on my floor for secondarys. Little space, little power consumption...alot to be said for a mini- lathe.

Great job anymore updates?

Originally Posted by John Welden

If you're going to go through all the time and expense to rebuild a machine, why not do it to a real one? That Emco is a joke. That thing is for high schools to demonstrate CNC, not make parts.

I do have a real one (a bigger v13): http://www.lathes.co.uk/emco/page8.html

How many reasons do you want?

1. Two real ones would be too much room.
2. This is cheap to practice on and easy to move around.
3. Emco's cut surprisingly well, even the tiny little compact 5s.
4. I mostly need it for small parts.

Next up is retrofitting my wells index mill. It's not a haas, but it outweighs a bridgeport by a non-negligible amount. Main issue is finding a good kit for it. (If anyone can recommend one w/ nema 42 motors please PM!).

Emco Compact 5 CNC Lathe making a chess pawn: Emco Compact 5 CNC Lathe making a chess pawn - KendinCos