Sotos Patistas
06-01-2011, 1:12 PM
OK, it's not done, but it is working. Still some fine tuning to be done (a 1" square is a few thousandths off) and of course, there's dust collection, a proper top (I'm thinking MDF, with lots of 1/4" holes and blind nuts) and cable management.
FWIW, I bought the electronics from Keling (370 oz steppers, Gecko 540, 48 V Switcher PS) and supported rails and guides from Glacern. Initial plan was for 18" x 36", then I upped it to 36" x 36", then while I was at it, 36" x 48". Still waiting for the 48" Acme leadscrew, but I assembled it with what I had to get it working. Wood is primarily 1/2" & 3/4" and 1" birch ply and aircraft ply, and combinations thereof. Using Mach3 and probably CamBam.
And it's pretty darn straight. I had the luxury of laser cutting templates, and then routing and drilling from those.
I'm about $2500 into it, so for now, I have a very expensive key fob, far from perfect, but I had to see if I'd be able to machine aluminum.
So the next order of business is to start replacing some wooden parts of the beast with aluminum.
Anyway, I recommend the DIY approach for those who maybe can't justify the cost of a factory built machine. With all the parts available via eBay and such, and all the build threads online, all of my questions were already answered.
Cheers.196600196602196603196601
FWIW, I bought the electronics from Keling (370 oz steppers, Gecko 540, 48 V Switcher PS) and supported rails and guides from Glacern. Initial plan was for 18" x 36", then I upped it to 36" x 36", then while I was at it, 36" x 48". Still waiting for the 48" Acme leadscrew, but I assembled it with what I had to get it working. Wood is primarily 1/2" & 3/4" and 1" birch ply and aircraft ply, and combinations thereof. Using Mach3 and probably CamBam.
And it's pretty darn straight. I had the luxury of laser cutting templates, and then routing and drilling from those.
I'm about $2500 into it, so for now, I have a very expensive key fob, far from perfect, but I had to see if I'd be able to machine aluminum.
So the next order of business is to start replacing some wooden parts of the beast with aluminum.
Anyway, I recommend the DIY approach for those who maybe can't justify the cost of a factory built machine. With all the parts available via eBay and such, and all the build threads online, all of my questions were already answered.
Cheers.196600196602196603196601