...and parts for home and limit switches. Mouser had these 10 for 9.80.
Attachment 188924
...and parts for home and limit switches. Mouser had these 10 for 9.80.
Attachment 188924
The postman brought the final part for my build: a dewalt dwp611 i got new on ebay for $103 shipped. I put a straight bitin it and started cutting out the parts for the gantry.
Attachment 189056
Started work on the y axis.used the router, table saw, and chop saw to cut the parts for the torsion boxes that will make up the gantry. After I get all the holes drilled I'll assemble it and cut it to height before installing a cross piece on the bottom to lock in the shape. Hopefully, this will be stiff enough to cut aluminum. It'll also get a nice coat of boiled linseed oil.
Some more progress on the gantry. The torsion boxes are glued and screwed. This thing won't be coming apart and should be very stiff.
first i mark the location for the y axis bearing and drill apilot hole thru both sides on the drill press at the same time. Then i widen that pilot hole to 1-1/8" with a forstner bit. That forms the bearing mount on both ends and they should be lined up since i made sure the lead screw was straight when marking the center.
Next I assemble the sides and attach the wood piece that has the z azis attached. Sorry, i forgot to take a picture, but once I attach the sides, it is pretty easy to thread in the lead screw and attach this part. Everything is perfectly lined up and the screw easily turns by hand the full length of the y axis.
After that, I finish the torsion boxes for the gantry legs. I clamp, predrill, glue, and screw everything:
Time for a break, but next I'll finish mounting the y axis stepper and then mount the x axis linear bearings. I'll also need a trip to the hardware for wood for the x axis and some more fasteners. Should be done soon though.
So here's the gantry with 2 coats of BLO. I'll mount the linear cars for the x axis as soon as I figure out the design. I'm leaning towards a torsion box for the table but I'm not sure if the 1/4" plate rails should be mounted to the top, bottom, or somewhere in between. My gut says mount them to the top because it will minimize the gantry height and therefore minimize runout. Is this the best location for keeping the rails clean too? Your thoughts are appreciated.
Looking pretty good! What are using for rails for your X axis? Did you figure that out yet?
This evening I spent an hour or so with the scroll saw, tablesaw, chop saw, and drill press. Not a bad way to relax and I finished the router bracket too. I'll get fasteners and it'll bolt right to the slots in the z axis car. Itwon't be long now. Here's a picture.
Attachment 189684
I think the cold rolled steel plate needs to be more substantially mounted to the torsion box. have you purchased the plate yet? I would go wider than the 2.5" that's normally bolted to 1.5" 80/20 if you haven't.
I did something similar on mine where the top sits very close to the gantry sides, didn't add a fence though, a good dust collector and brush/skirt works best, catch it all at the source if you can.
sometimes I put cardboard or wood temporary fences up if I have an odd shaped or deep job that doesn't play with normal dust collection, and still have to blow the rails off pretty often to keep them clean no matter what.
Sent from tapatalk
Worked on the table today. Its a torsion box too. The rails will clamp in and there's room for adjusting the play on the linear carriages too.
Attachment 190140
Cutters just arrived too. Now I really need to get this machine done.
First cut. Still needs a leveled spoilboard and limit switches.
Worked on the limit switches tonight. Used tweezers and a 15 watt soldering iron.
Attachment 191510
After soldering three, I tested them and potted them in epoxy.
I'll trim off the excess tomorrow and mount them.