Machsupport Forum
General CNC Chat => Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) => Topic started by: budman68 on August 15, 2009, 03:02:00 PM
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Just thought I'd share a new project that I'm coming up with that will be a great additon (read: TOY) to the shop as I do not have one ...yet. I use VCarve for all my small machining on my Taig mill but I've always been a bit of a woodworker so I figured I'd try my hand at building a CNC Router Table.
I'm still very much in the early stages but it "should" work out to the travel specs as:
X = 36"
Y = 24"
z = 4-5"
These aren't cast in stone but it looks feasable with the parts I already have. It's not finished yet but I have it drawn up to give you an idea of what it will look like. It's pretty much the same as every other 3 axis CNC Router but I do plan on using the 4th rotary axis as well...I know, nothing very exciting but you guys share everything and I figured what the heck.
It'll definitely come in handy for cutting sheet material but I really have to stop building this crap...I've already run out of room but it's just such a pissa playing with this stuff. :D
Dave
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Looks good Dave. Keep us up to date as you get on.
Brett
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I know, nothing very exciting but you guys share everything and I figured what the heck.
I am excited with every new machine I see some one is building... makes me want to build one myself.
Thanks for showing and don't forget to update as you're making progress.
Daniel
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You know I will, Brett- ;)
Dan, I'm with you as I blame everyone here for putting me into this addictive business ;D
I'll be sure to update and ask questions to the experts.
Dave
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The race is on, will you get this built before I get the Beaver Mill finished, I think I am backing you as the winner ;D
Keep the build pics flowing :)
Hood
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I see your now in the race Dave, as he who dies last and has the most machines wins!
Just in planning or on paper dosn't count.
or was it.....Tools, machines, guns, and wifes...just can't get enough of them!
or is it .....CNC is just an incurable disease once you get it!
Get on with it and post,
RICH ;D ;D ;)
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Dave ,
Looks really good.
CNC is like a CaNCer. It just keeps growing on you. ;D
Ed
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Looks good Dave. One can never have enough CNC machines. Here's an idea, since your still in the design phase. How about some sort of spacers to raise the gantry up. That way, if you should desire to slap a vice, 4th axis, jigs, or whatever else on the table, there would be no worries about using up Z space, or clearance issues. Food for thought, anyhow. Oh, build me one and ship it to me while your at it. All complimentary, of course. ;D
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Welcome to the Router club Dave. :D
Tweakie.
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Thanks, fellas, and Sam, that's a pretty slick idea and will have to seriously consider it but I'm thinking I may incorporate spacers at the headstock/router mount instead if need be. The router mount will have some flexability/adjustability as I'd like to be able to do guitar bodies as well as other things so they'll definitely be some "figuring" in the Z travel height area for sure.
I'll be working from the ground up so I need to come up with a sturdy bench to mount it on. Was thinking about one these roll away toolchests but they can get pretty costly for the larger/sturdier models.
We'll see.... :D
Dave
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Don't know if it's any help Dave but I ended up using a 2 drawer filing cabinet. Strengthened the bottom and mounted 100mm fixed casters on the back and rotating casters on the front - useful storage space as well as movable plinth.
Tweakie.
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That's a great picture and you're always a help, but this thing is going to around 30" wide and 41" in length.
Maybe I can get a set of 4 file cabinets and secure them into one unit? :D
Dave
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Just bolt it to the floor and then dig a pit to stand in. Will also keep your beer cool down in the pit ;D
Hood
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That's what I like about you, Hood, always thinking! 8)
Dave
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Yep always doing that, unfortunately its useless crap I am thinking of 99% of the time.
Hood
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horsepucky, you've forgotten more than I ever learned ;D
Dave
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That must mean you know less than the 1% ;D
Hood
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Damn, you're like a God with numbers! :D
Dave
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:D :D :D
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Damn, you're like a God with numbers! :D
Dave
(http://forums.pcper.com/images/smilies/extras/yllol.gif)
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;D ;D ;D
Brett
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A few more shots for you with the table off.
Again, this is nowhere near done so please don't assume anything as I'm just playing around at this point 8)
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Looks nice Dave.
Real nice.
I need to come see you for SW lessons..lol
Russ
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Dave,
If the finished product looks that good, you'll be doin good.
And with those one turn equals two inches lead srcews, it'll be really fast ;DI
Looks real good Dave. Keep us updated. What version of SW do you have?
Ed
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Thanks Ed and Russ,
SW 2005 and actually that thread is not too far off as they'll be 5 start threads. ;D
Dave
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Hope they are not left handed like the pictures show. :D
Tweakie.
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Hey, you have to model those screws, not cheat. :)
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Hey, you have to model those screws, not cheat. :)
Where'd you pick that up Gerry? 3D content central?
Tweakie, that's what I love about Mach 3, you can just reverse things if you're an idiot ;D
Dave
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No, I modeled it. It's the Z axis screw for the new router I've been designing. ;)
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Very nice! Unfortunately I'm not that advanced - ;)
My work will have to be shown in pictures when it's done (and working :P ).
Thanks,
Dave
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And so it begins..... 8)
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Did a little bit more as I milled and drilled the endplates. Nothing too exciting though...
The next step is working on mounting the linear rails for the X axis.
Dave
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Hi Dave,
Well i see you started the project. LOL Have fun doing it.
Include enough pic's as you go along so we all can just dupicate it!
Pick out the ball screw and notors yet? Whats the basis and reasoning behind the slelction of them?
RICH
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Now that's something I've never seen before... A used buffing wheel that's clean! Good luck on the build.
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Hi Rich,
I'm building this for a few reasons really. I'm a bit of a woodworker and this would be a great addition to have for making anything from signs to instruments. But it's mostly for my "side gig" and will be cutting sheet goods out of plastics and thin aluminum. I think some of the reason that I'm building it, is just because I want to... ;)
EDIT: sorry Rich, forgot to answer your question about screws. I'm using 5 start acme 4140 screws with anitbacklash nuts and Keling 387oz. steppers on all axis'.
I worked on the T bars for mounting the linear rails to the X axis (sides of the 3030 extrusions). There will be 4 pieces for each side.
Dave
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Trust 'Hawk Eye' Sam to spot the buffing wheel. ;D
Tweakie.
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That buffing wheel is mounted on a new buffer that has not been used yet but those wheels that came with it will not be used as I don't like the density of them.
A neighbor wanted to see how you "clean" a wheel with a rake so I showed him on that particular wheel and that's why it's frayed the way it is. It's not used as you can't really "use" a buffing wheel without compound properly.
Dave
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Hi All,
Just wanted to update on this project as I haven't really been posting anything new for quite awhile. Went through some family issues and "life" in general so I obviously haven't been around like I had been.
Aaaaanyway..... got some pics together for you and thought I'd show the progress I've been making with my test fitting of the assembly so far. As you can see, it's almost there, but I need to work out the mounting of my cable carriers and other assorted little odds and ends I'll be adding. Things like some sort of dust "foot" for a dust collection system, a lazer locator, and a spindle light, just to name a few. The router base is for the Bosch Colt that I'll be using.
If you look at the little shelf under the router, you'll see the Rack mount control box I have gutted and I'm getting ready to set up the electronics which include the Gecko G540 Drive. I'm also trying to figure out a slick way to mount my sherline rotary table and tailstock to do rotary work, but haven't come up with anything concrete yet as you can see in my assembly model, lol! I'm thinking of some kind of T Track set up that will allow the tail stock to slide along...blah blah blah....
That's it for now, enjoy the pics. Oh, and Sam, please have a look around ;), my shop is your shop, lol!
Dave
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Oh, and Sam, please have a look around Wink, my shop is your shop, lol!
:D :D :D Now that is funny!
Looks like you have built yourself a very nice machine! I do like that you made it a quiet solid little beast with all those aluminum plates, and did not just rely on 80/20 alone. Two thumbs up for that! Also looks as though you have some great components. Nice screws, linear rails on all axis, cable trays, etc...
Glad to see you back, I hope everything is going good.
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Echo, echo, glad to see you back Dave.
Nice Machine. Did you have to modify the energy chain for the Y Axis to get that bend in the opposite direction ?.
Tweakie.
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Thanks fellas, appreciate the comments.
Tweakie: Yes, I did modify the chain but I just reversed it, no machining needed. I'll be adding brackets to the part that goes vertically to make it nice and steady so it doesn't "bounce" around. I have that part going into a little project box which I cnc'd the ears that come out the bottom and retain the cable carrier. Same as the piece that goes along the X axis as well. Milled up a delrin block with the same ears that snap into that as well.
Sam: yes, I went with some nice "FLAT" pieces for this one as the flatter now, less headaches later when tramming everything in. :) Even though some of the pieces look rough, thay're very flat and not crowned or cupped and should look nice when I do a final takedown and clean all the surfaces up.
Dave
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Looking great Dave !
Happy to have you back here as well.
Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Russ
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Thank so much, Russ ;)
Dave
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Your build is coming along very nicely!
Best,
BW
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Thanks Bob, as I mentioned before, your site is a treasure trove of information and I stop by every once in awhile to see what you're up to - ;)
Thanks,
Dave
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your site is a treasure trove of information and I stop by every once in awhile to see what you're up to - ;)
Agreed !
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Got her running today, what a great feeling, as I'm sure all of you know ;)
I must say after only owning and running the little Taig machines, this one has me a bit nervous as it's got some poop to it :D Kind of unerving when you get close to the bump stops at full speed :o
I believe I have the energy chain connections all sorted but time will tell.
I have a lot of work to do yet, such as getting the table top installed and levelled and still coming up with a vac/spindle setup for the Bosch Colt.
Just wanted to mention it as I'm pretty excited about it and I'm sure I'll have video sometime in the future.
Thanks,
Dave
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Great news Dave. Look forward to seeing some video.
Tweakie.
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Ok, got a quick video but please forgive the shaking in the beginning as I didn't setup the tripod for this short run.
Wrote up some quick code to just go around the extents to give you an idea. These are 1/2" - 5 start screws and I'm getting Z=6" Y=20.750" X=36" travels.
Still playing around with tunings and settings and as you can probably see, I still have a LOT of work to do such as installing the home switches (wiring is already there), finish router/vac base, finish wiring and making panels for the controller box etc. etc..... ;D
This is still processing on youtube as I just uploaded it so it may not be very clear right away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXrLH45-HmQ
Thanks to everyone that helped along the way 8)
Dave
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Good looking machine, Dave. I see that you also have a pic of my wife on your wall.
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Cool, I like the poster hanging in the shop too
JH
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Good Job Dave
That will supply you with plenty of wood chips.
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Yea - you wish Sam. ;D
Really smooth Dave - this is going to be one nice machine.
Tweakie.
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Thanks all, I'm chomping at the bit to get it cutting, needless to say! ;D
Dave
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is it possible to block or eliminate the joke sections from the threads and focus on pure data?
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is it possible to block or eliminate the joke sections from the threads and focus on pure data?
Hello and welcome to the Mach 3 forum.
Sorry if you were offended by my thread, we try to keep it light here, as there are enough "serious" things to worry about in life ;)
Dave
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Couple of updates on the Router table.
Finally got the framing completed and the jig plate cut and drilled/counterbored for the top. Had to make a piloted counterbore from a 1/2 endmill for the buttonhead cap screws. Worked really well and didn't take me for a ride once! :D
Also got the 8020 T Track and HDPE spoilboard cut and drilled/counterbored as well.
Thanks,
Dave
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nice job Dave, but that red cap won't protect the jewels when you run into it. ;)
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nice job Dave, but that red cap won't protect the jewels when you run into it. ;)
ROTFLMAO!
Indeed it won't, but I can't get myself to cut it off, because if I do, I just know down the road I'm going to wish I didn't so that I could implement it somehow, lol!
Dave
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Dave, looks like she's coming together nicely,
Seems like you'll be cooking with gas as they say in your part of the country.... ;D
RICH
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lol, gas, it's getting popular around here for sure ;)
Thanks, Rich,
Dave
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Just keep the flame burning since that will help clear the air should a leak occur. ;)
RICH
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Looking great, Dave!
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Nice work Dave.
I have started taking bets now on who gets their project finished first. Your Router or Sam's mill ? ;D ;D
Tweakie.
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Thanks fellas :)
Tweaks, is there really ever a "finished" machine? ;)
Dave
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Nice work BudMan
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Dave,
Great work on the table- have been watching your build-very good thread! Thanks, and keep us updated!
Glenn
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Well thanks guys, I appreciate the words.
I'm in the middle of doing some "stuff" but hope to get back to it soon. I still need to get my spindle clamp made as I've decided not to go with my original design. Still using the Bosch Colt for now though.
Thanks,
Dave
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Got the spindle clamp started and fired it up to surface the table today. Only had a 3/4" cutter so it took a little longer than it could have ;D That's ok though, got a huge kick out of chasing the router cable around the table so it didn't get hung up on anything :D Have to get all the details taken care of like, homing switches, outlets, lazer and touch plate outlets, yadda yadda yadda....
Some pics for you...
Dave
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I'm also drawing a blank when it comes to designing something to keep the vac hose "stabil" but still allowed to move up and down with the Z axis. I'm thinking of a type of collar coming off the spindle clamp mounting plate.
Any thoughts you guys/gals may have would be most help ful. I've seen some on some other router tables but nothing that has caught my eye as of yet.
Thanks,
Dave
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Nice looking machine Dave! Looks like your building a collection of clamps as well. One can never have to many clamps. Tweakie, my bet goes to Dave as finishing first.
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That's coming on really nicely Dave, it's going to be a great machine. You are right nothing CNC ever really gets finished, it is all just work in progress. ;D
Sam,
Betting started at evens but Dave is now the favorite.
Love the website, and the pictures - cant be that long before it's making chips.
(we all speak a different language you know because 'Gas Springs' turns up zilch on ebay UK whereas 'Gas Struts' turns up pages of them ;D )
Tweakie.
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Nice looking machine Dave! Looks like your building a collection of clamps as well. One can never have to many clamps. Tweakie, my bet goes to Dave as finishing first.
Yes, exactly, when woodworking, you can definitely not have enough. That is only one section of my 3 sections of clamps! I have a nice batch of Pony Bar clamps and another section of handspring clamps as well.
Dave
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Nice guitar build ya got going on. I see allot of cases there, which means you've made quiet a few guitars. I must have missed all the posts where your showing them off!
cant be that long before it's making chips.
It's already made chips.......all over the floor. I desperately need to finish up (OK...begin making) the enclosure.
we all speak a different language you know because 'Gas Springs' turns up zilch on ebay UK whereas 'Gas Struts' turns up pages of them
;D how true
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Nice guitar build ya got going on. I see allot of cases there, which means you've made quiet a few guitars. I must have missed all the posts where your showing them off!
Actually that one was done years ago, and as for the cases, they're not all made by me ;)
Dave
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Wow. Simply outstanding. Even the knobs have a birdseye inlay.
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But my favorite part is the brass ring fret marker inlays with the birsdseye in each one. ;D
Thanks,
Dave
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I noticed that feature, too. I thought..."is that brass? Naaaa probably something else"
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Nice work Dave :)
Hood
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Sweet job Dave!!!! Congrats
"kick out some jams" :)
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Ok, can't believe it's been since last November, man how time flies!!!!!
Got a few pics to show, but nothing earth shattering, lol! Just a few of the X axis brushes, magnetic dust boot, home switches (X axis is adjustable along the T slot extrusion) , relay outlets, axis labels (cheezy, I know but what the hell ;) ), and some new clamps (how exciting!!!). Even a cover for her as well ;D
I've actually run a few projects too (you saw the Project Search sign), including a magnetic dust boot and 3C collet holder for my 9" South Bend, so now the collets will all stay nice and clean. Router seems to be very accurate, and I'm VERY pleased to say the least. I owe it all to the fine folks here and the other forums I belong to for helping me learn my way through this addicting hobby.
Still have to come up with a dust cyclone and a bracket/slide for a vac hose setup. Also wish I could weld so I could weld up a nice solid bench as well.
Thanks again for looking-
Dave
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Some more pics:
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A few more:
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Wow Dave, that looks really great! My only complaint is that in pic #8, the machine really gets in the way.
I like the way you mounted the laser in permanently. I had thought about doing the same with a camera, but never got around to it. Maybe one day. Keep the pics commin, the sign you made looked great.
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VERY nice Dave !
A St. Pauli Girl and your machine compliment one another quite nicely.
Fine job.
Russ
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That looks way too neat Dave - really nice job you have done.
I thought Sam would notice #8 ;D ;D
Tweakie.
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Hey, I stared at Daves machine just as much. Is that wrong? I just can't help it. Those linear rails, the neat cable tray, T-slot table, the way that dust shoe snaps right on, it's just sensory overload... I could talk about the woman too, but it probably would not be forum appropriate. :)
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Awful Pretty... I'm just confused with the X & Y axis labeling and directions, backwards in my world. But I do like the workmanship, just too damn clean and shinny, lol
How are those labels made? They are eye catching.
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Pretty!!! I love the router too. ;D I do have a question though. How much does the cover expand when it inhales or is the pic taken with it fully expanded and if so how much will it contract when it exhales?
Looks really good Dave!
Brett
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I'm just confused with the X & Y axis labeling and directions, backwards in my world.
Mine too :D
Tweakie.
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Dave, can you tell me where you got the flexible brush for the dust shoe?
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Thanks all, I appreciate the comments.
As for the axis setup, aren't jobs supposed to come out backwards/mirrored? :D Yep, ya got me, I actually screwed up when setting up Mach 3 as I'm used to a mill and got my directions reversed. I suppose I should fix them soon so I don't get used to it being backwards. :D
"Ya Nvr No" Those were drawn up in V Carve Pro.
Thanks,
Dave
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Dave, can you tell me where you got the flexible brush for the dust shoe?
Hi Gerry,
It's from Mcmaster: 74405T304 Galvanized Steel-Backed Nylon Conveyor Strip Brush, 1/8" W X 1/8" H Backing, 2" H X 4' L Each $17.16
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Yep, ya got me, I actually screwed up when setting up Mach 3 as I'm used to a mill and got my directions reversed. I suppose I should fix them soon so I don't get used to it being backwards.
;D Suppose you could always turn the "X axis label" upside down and fit the "Y axis label" on the other side of the gantry ;D
Tweakie.
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Better? ;D
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Hi Gerry,
It's from Mcmaster: 74405T304 Galvanized Steel-Backed Nylon Conveyor Strip Brush, 1/8" W X 1/8" H Backing, 2" H X 4' L Each $17.16
Thanks.
How'd you bend it? I'm working on a shoe design for my next machine, and I was thinking of using the next larger size up from yours, and bending it between hardwood block to "form" it.
As for your X and Y axis directions. They're the same as my router. But, I stand on the other side of mine. ;)
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Gerry, it was bent with set of linesman and neednose pliers and "pressed" into a .135 slot. Worked beautifully.
Dave
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Thats one nice looking setup but definitely too tidy ;D
Hood
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All better now :)
And also one for the poster fans....
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Thats one nice looking setup but definitely too tidy ;D
Hood
Ah, give it time, remember when these were clean and new? :D
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Ah yes thats more like it, nothing better than being a bit dirty :)
Hood
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You've gotta loooooooong way to go before you catch up to filthiness of Hood and I. I think I carry more chips in the soles of my shoes, than most shops have on the entire floor. If I wash the floor mats in my vehicle....they rust. :o Some shops have an emergency eye-wash station. I have a tetanus station. F.E.M.A declared it as a disaster area. Those machines look clean 'nuff to eat off of, Dave. :)
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;D ;D ;D
Tweakie.
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Got a new 80mm LED Ring light for the spindle/brush. Really nice and VERY bright and it's 12v as well so I'll be connecting this to the button I already have setup on my controller.
This will be fastened into the dust boot as I've routed the top to accomodate it.
Picked it up from Dealextreme as found here: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/t10-24-led-white-light-car-angel-eye-80mm-diameter-26001
Will need to clean up the wiring and firm it up a bit as well to make it hold up, but what a nice addition and really lights everything up for better vision. Speaking of which, I added another shop light to help out with that as well. My eyes aren't what they used to be... :-[
A few pics for your perusal:
Thanks,
Dave
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more pics....
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One more of the shop light addition...quite a difference.
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Very Nice Dave! :)
Brett
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Looks great and looks to work well with that setup. My Beaver mill has a round tube light in the bottom of the head (round the quill) and its good but if you have the quill extended any distance then the tool is not lit, you wont have that problem though :)
Hood
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Nice additions Dave.
You just need another light over the posters. ;D
Tweakie.
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:)