Messages

51

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 4th Axis Round-up...

« on: April 28, 2010, 01:45:22 PM »

yeah, I can.  My machine as it stands now is 5 axis.  This would be a 6th.  I wired everything from the outset for that 6th axis, so it was kind of the completion of the machine.  For all jobs I have currently scheduled, I can do 5 axis no problem.

However, I could use the rotary axis for some personal art.  Perhaps I should just design my own, like you said.

Barry

52

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 4th Axis Round-up...

« on: April 28, 2010, 01:32:46 PM »

Yes, I see that there is backlash on these tables, but don't see a way around it either.  I just got an e-mail from Tormach, that they don't have "dimensionalized drawings" (his words) for the rotary tables.  So it is up to me to measure the offsets, mounting holes etc.  This is the first company I've heard of that didn't include those from the outset.  How else can you design your machine with precision?

Barry

53

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 4th Axis Round-up...

« on: April 27, 2010, 03:01:38 PM »

Yeah, the K2 one is 3.1 inches.  I told them what my need was and they gave me a quote.  I thought it was small too!  Hmm, I'm not sure I have the experience to make a rotary table.

54

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / 4th Axis Round-up...

« on: April 27, 2010, 01:52:45 PM »

Or in my case, 6th axis...

I'm looking at adding a rotary axis to my table and am looking for suggestions.  I thought about building one of these, but my small machine shop and my limited knowledge leads me to the answer of buying it instead.  The two that I've seen so far are:

K2CNC:
http://www.k2cnc.com/shop/products.asp?cat=29

Tormach:
http://www.tormach.com/Product_RotaryProducts.html

One of the main pieces I'd like to do, is mill instruments, both sides without using a jig, using the rotary axis to flip over the stock.  The size of the instruments would be about guitar body size, so I'd need enough room to rotate that kind of stock.  The material would be mainly hardwood, but I think I'd do metal every now and then.

What do you guys think.  Would either of these companies fit the bill?  What would you do, if you were in my boat?

Barry

55

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: My first finished project on my new lathe

« on: April 26, 2010, 04:09:20 AM »

Yodoug, you rock.  Cool first project.  I'd like to know how you made that too;)

Barry

56

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gift Box

« on: April 24, 2010, 01:08:57 PM »

Thanks for the info.  As soon as I'm done making panel copies I'll try cutting metal with your tips;)

Barry

57

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gift Box

« on: April 24, 2010, 03:30:56 AM »

What bits did you use? Feed rate? Looking forward to following your lead.

Barry

58

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gift Box

« on: April 23, 2010, 11:50:53 PM »

That's pretty cool.  Tell me about your rig too.  I'm close to trying out cutting metal soon.  I'm afraid and excited at the same time.

Barry

59

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 15, 2010, 12:12:51 PM »

I'll fix the deficiencies in my box compared to this list with the 2nd control box I build.  The first one I have here is temporary 'proof of service' type thing.  I think comparing what's different between the lappy and the desktop will be the key though.  I'll be doing that this weekend, as I'm getting an art opening ready.

Barry

60

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 14, 2010, 01:44:06 PM »

sounds cool, I'd really like to get that machine running the mill, rather than my lappy.

Barry