[Metalbender]

Hello to all. I'm finally started my first build. I've been lurking in here and learning for about three years untill the funds built up, and I can now proudly proclaim...I KNOW IT ALL!...reality check! Seriously, I have learned a lot from everyone who has posted their builds here and from a lot of websites linked from here. My machine is going to be a compilation of what I think is the best of what everyeone else has done...I like "Joes 2006" torsion box and "Patricks" rails and V groove bearings for starters. I plan to give credit where it is due as I progress thru this so every one can see how I arrived at the final results. I have the entire project done in AutoCAD but I won't post it untill I have permission from the idea originators.

My first question is how do I post the pictures I have as the thumbnails I see other people using? I have about 15 pictures already but I don't want to overload the thread.

If you're are wondering how I arrived with a name like "MISTRESS BUILD" it was actually named by my wife of 37 years. She wants to know how she is going to compete with something that runs by computer and makes widgets?

Lastly for this post...If you see me doing something that might be a problem...Pipe up!!...

[OCNC]

I could be wrong but I think that the cnczone software automatically creates the thumbnails. Post and we'll find out.

Chris

[OCNC]

On second thought...

[CarveOne]

When you post a reply, scroll down to the Additional Options menu and click on Manage Attachments. It will let you browse for files to attach. The files should be 1024x768 pixel or less. You can attach 6 files at a time, but you can do that a few times before submitting the post if you need to. It also gives a list of file types and sizes.

CarveOne

[Metalbender]

OK I'll try the first 6 just see how this works.

Greg

[Metalbender]

Hey! Not to shabby! Now to add captions explaining what I'm doing in the pix.

[Metalbender]

This is hillarious! For a living I use 6 figure software to program 1/2 million dollar multi-axis machines and I'm just figuring out how to post to a forum.
CNCZONE created the thumbnails automatically

[CarveOne]

[Metalbender]

Back again! I had to break off for a small "Honey Do" project...no way was I goingto spend almost $400 for bases for a washer and dryer. Anyway I had a heck of time with the "X" rails. It took me two nights to get them lined up and the gantry was still binding in spots. Then I damaged one by dropping a hammer on it. So I tried using steel angle...more drilling...more TRYING to align everything. Then that little voice in the back of the head says 'Hey! I betcha your crushing the plywood when you tighten the bolts. Sure enough a few checks with verniers and I found out I was + almost .030
More head scratchin' brought me to sandwich the rails together on one side of the plywood and used a torque wrench to 20ft/lbs now I'm + .004:banana: Rolls smoother than a newborns....

[Metalbender]

' been busy...got a little more done. Question for the group. Seeing that my gantry is totally enclosed, should I provide ventilation holes? How hot do these motors get? I got the whole packedge from Keling...they are the 425oz.

Greg

I can only get one picture to upload tonight. I'll have to see what's wrong with the rest of them

[Metalbender]

I guess this 'puter is gonna bust my chops tonight. Here's a few more!

[LouF]

Looks good and interesting great pics I am looking forward to seeing more..

Lou

[Metalbender]

FINALLY!!!!! had to upload them one at a time.

[icecube]

You will probably want to vent the gantry right at the motor. They can get warm sometimes. Your build looks good so far. Look foreward to more updates!

[voltsandbolts]

Nice build, looks like it'll be belt drive?

[radcliffe]

Your build looks great. Looks like its design around the Blackfoot and Blacktoe. I think that your internal drive shaft bearing support is to far away from the drive pulley and will bow when you add tension on the belt. Another support similar to the photo below or one closer to the pulley on the interior. Look at the link Supports for your X axis drive shaft.

Build Your Tools • View topic - Supports for your X axis drive shafts



Harold

[Metalbender]

Harold, thanks for the link about the bearing. You can't see it very well but I have a bearing on the inside of the gantry as well as the outside. I hope it's enough support...I might have to add one on the outside of the pully as well.

Greg

[Metalbender]

I've been busy. Finally got the Y and the Z rolling nice. I only had to do the Z twice. Getting the right shims made in order to use that 1/2" bearing was a real pain in the neck. I did flush the grease out of it and filled it with 90 weight gear lube made it spin a lot easier. It has one of those locking collars on it so I won't have set screws damaging my lead screw. :wee:

[Metalbender]

Found a few more pix in the camara.

Everybody posts the GOOD pictures...I figured why not post a screw up?
Notice that it doesn't look anything like the AutoBAG drawing.

I'm hoping when I get this build running I can use it to spend my retirement cutting parts for my other "mistresses" as my wife puts it.

[Metalbender]

I knew I had a couple of pix of the Z in process. It's tough when things are going good I forget to grab the camara.