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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Vertical router build

    Hi All,

    Have started a build on a vertical router. This will progress as I have the time but will be easier now since I finished my X2 mini mill. It will be able to cut some of the brackets I'll need.

    The pictures attached show the main frames which are cut out of 3/4 Baltic Birch. I sanded and clear coated them with a Spar sealer.

    One of the nice things about this concept is you can make it as long as you have space for. The bed on this one will 64" long which is all the space I have for now and is the proof of concept. If you want longer or shorter just add or subtract frames. This design also has a space to cut decorative columns up to 12" in diameter. The frames are spaced 16" on center.

    It is assembled by sliding the frames onto the 2" and 4" tubes which are as long as you want to make the machine. Put on a frame then slide on a spacer made from schedule 40 PVC pipe from Home Depot, then add another frame then the spacer etc. Once it's all on then a piece of 1/2 all thread will tighten it together end to end through each tube. The picture just shows the top spacers hanging on the all thread and the bottom spacers are just on the floor. I pick up the aluminum tube I ordered tomorrow and then I'll post more pictures of how the main bed of the router goes together.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    OK.. got the aluminum 2" tubing and 3-1/2" aluminum pipe in. The pipe then gives you a 4" OD. Had to to use a 4" hole saw to get the inside of the PVC pipe round and slightly oversize so it would slide on the pipe. In the end it was still a tight fit but it went together. Will be milling the end plugs for the all thread that holds it together tomorrow. Pic attached.

    And I got the bed length wrong in the above post. It's 81 inches with 6 frames
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20161129_154030.jpg   20161129_162749.jpg   20161129_143329.jpg   20161129_103824.jpg  


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Got the end caps for the 2" tubes made. Will finish the 4" caps tomorrow and put in the all thread and clamp the bed together.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20161130_215452.jpg   20161130_215524.jpg   20161130_215611.jpg   20161130_215751.jpg  


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Got some of the all thread clamps in today. I decided to cut the large 4.5" end plugs from 3/4" oak to see how well that does. Should be cheaper than 1/2 aluminum plate.
    On one end the plug will 4.8" and flush without a short section of PVC for the pipe to fit into. It takes some fitting of the size of the end piece of PVC so when clamped the aluminum pipe is pushed flush on one side and then protruding on the other into the PVC spacer so the whole thing compresses together.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Got the bed tight with the all thread clamping system. Works very well and the oak end caps work also. That is cheaper and easier to make rather than aluminum. Next will be to mount the bed slats and the top and bottom rails. Waiting on some EZ-LOK thread inserts for the rails.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20161202_114146.jpg   20161202_114226.jpg   20161202_114153.jpg  

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Vertical router build

    Looks good. Keep the pics coming.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Got the oak cross slats fitted and counter sunk for the large construction screws I'm going the use fasten them to the frames. Their 1/4" x 3" which should work good.

    I made two jigs on my cnc mini mill to get all the holes drilled the same on every frame. The rail mounts will have inserts put in. Pic attached.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Got the oak slats and the rails drilled and bolted on today. The bed is very stiff and the whole has some weight to it which will be nice when it's running. Made one design change. I was going to use inserts on the rail mounts but the construction lag screws worked so well I went with those. I think my design is meeting the goal of being able to be disassembled for when you move or change shops plus it is very rigid and does have some weight now. Also one of the main design elements was no MDF so that it would have more strength and longevity in use.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20161207_135952.jpg   20161207_145906.jpg   20161207_172844.jpg   20161207_185506.jpg  

    20161207_194653.jpg   20161207_195319.jpg   20161207_195639.jpg  

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Hi All,
    Only done one thing with the build. I'm waiting on parts and doing Holiday stuff so the build will slow for a little while.

    I loosened all the all thread bolts so I could get the track boards straight and then re-tightened everything once straight. Pic attached.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20161213_213117[1].jpg  

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5717

    Re: Vertical router build

    Nice Job! Looking forward to seeing it in action. I'll book mark this one

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    This build hasn't stopped. Just on pause for a bit. Working on other projects for the moment. Got my cnc mini-mill completed and doing things with it right now. Will be back to this soon.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Posts
    24
    Quote Originally Posted by Dan2464 View Post
    This build hasn't stopped. Just on pause for a bit. Working on other projects for the moment. Got my cnc mini-mill completed and doing things with it right now. Will be back to this soon.
    Any updates?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53
    Quote Originally Posted by Panovak View Post
    Any updates?
    I know this has been on pause for awhile. The reason is I moved to Wyoming. This has been reassembled in the new location but is awaiting me finishing my CNC conversion of a 1914 LeBlond horizontal mill. Details on that will follow in another thread.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    1662

    Re: Vertical router build

    but is awaiting me finishing my CNC conversion of a 1914 LeBlond horizontal mill. Details on that will follow in another thread.
    Examples of of horizontal mill conversions are rare, examples of 1914 horizontal mill conversions rarer still
    I'm assuming 1914 is year of manufacture, not a model number.
    Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
    Anyone who says "It only goes together one way" has no imagination.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Back on this build. The rails have been ground and mounted This Y axis wood has been sealed so better pictures coming Here is a pic of the start of getting this mounted on the rails. I have some parts on order.Attachment 452322

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    53

    Re: Vertical router build

    Quote Originally Posted by cyclestart View Post
    Examples of of horizontal mill conversions are rare, examples of 1914 horizontal mill conversions rarer still
    I'm assuming 1914 is year of manufacture, not a model number.
    Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
    Attachment 452324 Attachment 452326Early design pic. You can just make out the horizontal bar of the Leblond Mill the milling head I designed is attached.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Vertical router build

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan2464 View Post
    Got the bed tight with the all thread clamping system. Works very well and the oak end caps work also. That is cheaper and easier to make rather than aluminum. Next will be to mount the bed slats and the top and bottom rails. Waiting on some EZ-LOK thread inserts for the rails.
    Vertical Routers work well, I'm not sure why more are not made

    The problem with the all-thread is it will stretch a lot over that length, I have used 4140 and just thread the ends of the rod where it needs the thread to be, even this stretches over long lengths
    Mactec54

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Vertical router build

    Quote Originally Posted by cyclestart View Post
    Examples of of horizontal mill conversions are rare, examples of 1914 horizontal mill conversions rarer still
    I'm assuming 1914 is year of manufacture, not a model number.
    Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
    Not 1914 but just did a horizonal conversion on a Bridgeport Boss 5 CNC
    Mactec54

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