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Messages - Sam

621
LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Help with lazy cam and solidworks
« on: June 12, 2009, 02:35:03 PM »
Hmmmm, I'm not sure I've ever heard of using SW for G-code creation. Solidcam or Mastercam inside solidworks maybe, but not SW alone. If you run across something Chip, let us know more about it.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My New Router Gantry Build
« on: June 11, 2009, 11:58:30 PM »
There's no such thing as overkill as far as I'm concerned. What you've got there already should support a spoil board, and project weight, I would think.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My New Router Gantry Build
« on: June 11, 2009, 11:11:24 PM »
Looks good Gary, thanks for the pics. I would definitely get a good set of poly casters. I thought about getting some locking pads for mine too, but just having it on casters alone has not presented a problem or need for them, yet. I have almost everything in my shop on casters, and it sure does make shop tasks a whole lot easier! Best of luck with it, keep us updated and fed with pics.

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Looks like you've got some great responses. I suppose I might as well chime in. The first thing that I noticed, was that you drilled mounting holes for the T-nuts, so you could mount the plate to your table. The use of toe clamps would eliminate the need for that. The second thing I noticed was no coolant. If you use an oil based coolant in a mister, your feedrate would definitely improve, surface finish would improve, and tool life would improve. I can see your endmill is getting coated with aluminum. After that happens (as I'm sure your aware) it's all downhill. Coolant would remedy that. DEFINITELY get an oil-based coolant. Next thing would be to make up a jig, as everybody has stated. From reading vmax's post, I can tell he's made a few. I have to agree with his method for the most part, as I've made a few myself. I do disagree with using coated cutters for aluminum, but as they say..to each his own. I would definitely use the hole in the part to clamp it down on a plate, thus enabling you to cut all the way through the part. That would get rid of another needless (and dangerous) process. Next is the use of the tumbler. Have you thought about purchasing a sand blaster? They can be purchased relatively cheap, and you can blast hundreds of parts in the time the tumbler takes to do a few. It would also deburr the parts, and leave a nice, even, matte finish, ready to be anodized. How many can you get in the tumbler? Less than 10? You could accomplish that in 5 minutes. Anodizing does not take well to sharp edges, as I'm sure your aware. If your having a problem there, you could put a fillet around the part. It's and extra step, and that means more time, but if it solves a problem you might be having, it would be worth it. A small radius makes everything look much more professional and pleasing to the eye, anyhow.
Ed had a very good piece of advice on buying a machine. I would have to agree 100%.  You would most likely have to buy or make a phase converter, but that's not a big deal at all. If your dead-set in buying a smaller mill, take a look at Novakon. You might find something there much cheaper than 10K+. http://www.novakon.net/1.html and here is a nice one Dave has... http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,10313.10.html
Thanks for the video, and I wish you the best of luck!

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Great job Ed, looks really nice.

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Also I believe machine wax and candle wax have a different melt point???
Exactly what I was thinking. The color would also likely play a huge part of the equation. Black would of course heat up the most, which might or might not be best. I'm sure there is something you could add to the wax to make the melting temp higher, if need be. It kinda looks like a process that uses a very defined set of parameters to work correctly. Once ya get it figured out, though, it seems it would be very rewarding.

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I have mounted a mig gun to a bridgeport table, and used the power feed to travel. It worked just dandy. I would not want to do the same on my cnc machine, however. I would be to worried that all that current would fry something in the electronics, but that's just me being overcautious I suppose.

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....or too much red wine. Been there, done that!  >:D  But, if your still able to take a pic of yourself and post it, you've definitely got a long way to go till you get there.  ;)
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yeah i think you yanks call it a 0.003thal cutter
it's 'thou', short for 'thousand/thousandth.

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Very nice stuff Chris. Great pics, too. Thanks a bunch for keeping us entertained! I wonder what tomorrow will bring.   ;D

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HAHAHA!!! I got a good laugh outta that one. Thanks.