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View Full Version : At Cost Group Buy - Custom Vector Pin Table



Greg W Watson
02-23-2017, 11:53 AM
I hope I am doing this right.

I have designed a pin table to fit my Speedy 300, but as long as your laser can accommodate a 28.725 X 17 inch insert, this should work for you as well. I am offering this up as a group buy to lower the costs associated with getting it made. This will be an AT COST project. I am offering this so we can all take advantage of the lowest possible price for this. I am not the vendor that will be making these plates.

Project Specs:

Each Table will consist of - Quantity 2



28.725" X 17" - .125 (1/8) 6061 Aluminum Plates with .125 holes across the table. There is also built in hand holds for easily placing in the table.


I will be offering the plates only but I have the McMaster part numbers that will be needed to assemble the two plates, as well as, the pins that will be needed. There are screws, risers and pins.

I will also provide a corel file that can be used for pin placement for each person who buys in so you can easily place pins on your cut files.

Right now my pricing is as follows. If I can get five people to buy in, the price per set of plates would be $135.98, plus shipping. If we get more than 5 interested, the price will only go down from there. I will provide all information for the vendor making these so anyone interested can verify pricing once we have enough people to proceed. I know something like this could easily be done out of acrylic but I want something durable that will last forever. I am hoping others do to.

Here are some 3D images of the design:

http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/001.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/002.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/003.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/004.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/005.jpg

Also just in case there are any concerns about vaporware, here is a one off I did for a friend of mine that has a small Epilog.

http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/eaton001.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/eaton002.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/eaton003.jpg
http://www.cutoutlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/eaton004.jpg

Keith Downing
02-23-2017, 12:01 PM
Maybe I'm missing something, but is there a reason this table would be specific only to the Trotec Speedy 300? Is that just the bed size you're going with? Or is there some reason this will only work with that version of that machine.

Seems to me right off the bat you're really narrowing down who this appeals to. Yet I would think the broader the audience, the higher the likely hood that you'll get enough people interested to get a meaningful price break.

Just my $.02

Greg W Watson
02-23-2017, 12:05 PM
Fair question, the table was designed to fit every available cutting area on the Speedy 300. I don't own a Speedy 400 but I assume it would fit in one as well. I don't want to claim it will fit inside a laser unless I know 100% that it will.

Greg

Keith Downing
02-23-2017, 12:08 PM
Fair question, the table was designed to fit every available cutting area on the Speedy 300. I don't own a Speedy 400 but I assume it would fit in one as well. I don't want to claim it will fit inside a laser unless I know 100% that it will.

Greg

I see. I was more thinking for all of us that have Chinese lasers, it might still appeal. Most of us have larger work areas than the standard Trotec/Epilog. And since the pins raise the work, it seems it would still work just fine for most projects if the table was smaller.

Incidentally, I also think this is the group of users who would probably be most interested in shaving a few bucks off the product or buying a non-OEM product.

Greg W Watson
02-24-2017, 9:48 AM
I see. I was more thinking for all of us that have Chinese lasers, it might still appeal. Most of us have larger work areas than the standard Trotec/Epilog. And since the pins raise the work, it seems it would still work just fine for most projects if the table was smaller.

Incidentally, I also think this is the group of users who would probably be most interested in shaving a few bucks off the product or buying a non-OEM product.

This table will fit in pretty much any laser that can accommodate a 28.725 X 17 inch table.

Bill George
02-24-2017, 10:14 AM
So what is wrong with a real honeycomb table made with steel and aluminum frame? I have used one for years.

Gary Hair
02-25-2017, 2:19 PM
So what is wrong with a real honeycomb table made with steel and aluminum frame? I have used one for years.

The main reason to use a pin table vs honeycomb is flashback. If it's not a problem for you then you gain nothing with a pin table. If, however, you cut lots of any type of material that the back needs to be free of flashback then a pin table would be ideal. Since you can put pins in place where ever you like, you can avoid having anything under where the laser is cutting. Can't do that with honeycomb. I think pins may also get a bit more airflow under the material but that's not really my main reason for wanting it.

Keith Downing
02-25-2017, 4:10 PM
So what is wrong with a real honeycomb table made with steel and aluminum frame? I have used one for years.

Pin tables are made for cutting things like thin acrylic or fine wood where you don't want any scarring or burn marks from the flashback. I also believe in some cases, when used properly, it may reduce the risk of fire caused when smoldering scrap materials get caught in the honeycomb under the workpiece.

This would be something you could place on top of your existing honeycomb table on most lasers, and the pins you insert would hold your work up off the table an inch or so. At least if it is similar to others I've seen online.

Keith Downing
02-25-2017, 4:14 PM
I hope I am doing this right.

I have designed a pin table to fit my Speedy 300, but as long as your laser can accommodate a 28.725 X 17 inch insert, this should work for you as well. I am offering this up as a group buy to lower the costs associated with getting it made. This will be an AT COST project. I am offering this so we can all take advantage of the lowest possible price for this. I am not the vendor that will be making these plates.

Project Specs:

Each Table will consist of - Quantity 2



28.725" X 17" - .125 (1/8) 6061 Aluminum Plates with .125 holes across the table. There is also built in hand holds for easily placing in the table.


I will be offering the plates only but I have the McMaster part numbers that will be needed to assemble the two plates, as well as, the pins that will be needed. There are screws, risers and pins.

I will also provide a corel file that can be used for pin placement for each person who buys in so you can easily place pins on your cut files.



Assuming you got the approval to go ahead with this., congrats!

I'm definitely interested. Can you elaborate on what the additional parts and the pins will cost to go with what you are producing? I believe you are saying you have them sourced as well.

TAMI WILSON
02-25-2017, 4:24 PM
Greg

I would be interested.

Tami

Jerome Stanek
02-25-2017, 5:09 PM
What are you using for your pins. I made one using 6 mm plexi that I drilled with my cnc and use 1/8 pop rivets. I had hundreds of rivets left over from my ceiling days.

John Lifer
02-25-2017, 7:38 PM
Ok, interesting, but if i see this right, you have holes in both sheets, and pins go through both and are held by the Speedy solid bed. This wouldn't be able to be used on table that is a honeycomb and not solid. Such as mine, i have a honeycomb and slats under it with air beneath. I'd have to add a third sheet beneath. (Which is not that much trouble.)

Doug Fisher
02-25-2017, 7:50 PM
One reason I am considering a pin table versus my honeycomb table is that it would be a lot easier to keep clean. I cut a lot of acrylic and between my exhaust fan's downdraft and the air assist, I get a lot of acrylic residue the builds up in the honeycombs. It really stinks... for days after cutting. Not simple to really get it clean either.

Could you simplify your design and cut the cost almost in half by using just one plate instead of two? If you used pins like these watch pins that are thin on the ends and thick in the middle, couldn't you just drill the table holes as wide as the thin ends and thus the pins would sit on a single metal plate without falling through? Maybe somebody makes thicker/longer pin bars. I just did a quick search. Additionally, pin tips right under the material might do a better job of leveling any variations out compared to screws.

https://www.amazon.com/100pcs-Stainless-Steel-Watch-Spring/dp/B00VAYG37O/ref=lp_16410401_1_14/164-7766198-4511866?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1488069329&sr=1-14

Don't forget https://www.fastenal.com and similar for your hardware pieces. Sometimes they can be less expensive compared to McMaster.

Gene Uselman
02-26-2017, 2:18 PM
Ok, interesting, but if i see this right, you have holes in both sheets, and pins go through both and are held by the Speedy solid bed. This wouldn't be able to be used on table that is a honeycomb and not solid. Such as mine, i have a honeycomb and slats under it with air beneath. I'd have to add a third sheet beneath. (Which is not that much trouble.)

I also wondered why both sheets have holes? I have built something similar with 2"x.125" roll pins from Fastenal- what size are the holes- exactly 1/8"? Thanks Gene

Greg W Watson
02-27-2017, 10:59 AM
Assuming you got the approval to go ahead with this., congrats!

I'm definitely interested. Can you elaborate on what the additional parts and the pins will cost to go with what you are producing? I believe you are saying you have them sourced as well.

Here are the extra parts you will need

McMaster:

QTY 8 - $3.33 Each - 91115a292 - 18-8 Stainless Steel Female Threaded Hex Standoff, 3/8" Hex Size, 3/4" Length, 10-32 Thread Size
QTY 1 - $3.12 10 pk - 90585a989 - 316 Stainless Steel Hex Drive Flat Head Screw, 82 Degree Countersink Angle, 10-32 Thread Size, 1/2" Long (need 8 total)
QTY ? - $7.12 10 pk - 90145a487 - 18-8 Stainless Steel Dowel Pin, 1/8" Diameter, 2-1/2" Length You can buy as many or as little as you want here. I don't think you will need a full tables worth. They come in a pack of 10.

Greg W Watson
02-27-2017, 11:06 AM
Between here an at the Trotec Users Facebook page, we have 13 people interested which means the price will be coming down. I am getting it re-quoted this morning from the vendor, All Metals in Allen TX.

13 TOTAL UNITS HAVE BEEN RESERVED 1 - Greg Watson...
3 - Chris Edens
1 - Scott Evans
1 - Lisa Higginbotham
2 - Mike Avena
1 - Bonnie Knight
1 - Colby Yoder
1 - Geoff Orlick
1 - Keith Downing (SMC)
1 - Tami Wilson (SMC)

Gary Hair
02-27-2017, 11:17 AM
Here are the extra parts you will need

McMaster:

QTY 8 - $3.33 Each - 91115a292 - 18-8 Stainless Steel Female Threaded Hex Standoff, 3/8" Hex Size, 3/4" Length, 10-32 Thread Size
QTY 1 - $3.12 10 pk - 90585a989 - 316 Stainless Steel Hex Drive Flat Head Screw, 82 Degree Countersink Angle, 10-32 Thread Size, 1/2" Long (need 8 total)
QTY ? - $7.12 10 pk - 90145a487 - 18-8 Stainless Steel Dowel Pin, 1/8" Diameter, 2-1/2" Length You can buy as many or as little as you want here. I don't think you will need a full tables worth. They come in a pack of 10.


an alternate pin - it's not stainless but I'm not sure that's really necessary.
https://www.huyett.com/Products/Fasteners/Pins/Dowel-Pins/DOW-125-2500?searchText=1/8

Greg W Watson
02-27-2017, 12:21 PM
an alternate pin - it's not stainless but I'm not sure that's really necessary.
https://www.huyett.com/Products/Fasteners/Pins/Dowel-Pins/DOW-125-2500?searchText=1/8

That is a FANTASTIC find!!!!

Gene Uselman
02-27-2017, 2:19 PM
I also wonder if the SS pins will attract a magnet- some SS alloys seem to not? Did you answer why you are using 2 drilled plates? Thanks Gene

Greg W Watson
02-27-2017, 4:32 PM
I also wonder if the SS pins will attract a magnet- some SS alloys seem to not? Did you answer why you are using 2 drilled plates? Thanks Gene

Because it is simple and I have the steel flat bed that it will sit on.

Michele Welch
02-27-2017, 10:08 PM
This is very cool, great job. Will follow for new reduced price.

Gerald Johs
02-28-2017, 8:17 AM
Being new to the laser business and having a speedy 300, what is the advantage of having this? It could be possible that this would be something I would use in the future. Might be interested.

Gerald

Gary Hair
02-28-2017, 9:41 AM
Your question was already answered in post #7

Don Corbeil
02-28-2017, 10:05 AM
Interested.
Up to this point I have been using homemade pins (thin nails with neodymium magnets) but this would be a cleaner, better fitting solution.

Kev Williams
02-28-2017, 10:42 AM
'fraid a pin table wouldn't help me since I don't cut much, and when I do it's typically small items. On the rare occasion a pin table would be handy, I just use #6 lockwashers... I just pour out a bunch on the laser table and space them out as needed. They're uniform, and they raise the work about 1/16" off the table.

355072

Gary Hair
02-28-2017, 10:47 AM
'fraid a pin table wouldn't help me since I don't cut much, and when I do it's typically small items. On the rare occasion a pin table would be handy, I just use #6 lockwashers... I just pour out a bunch on the laser table and space them out as needed. They're uniform, and they raise the work about 1/16" off the table.

355072

I hope you take this as a compliment Kev because it is!

Only you could come up with an idea like this.

Bill George
02-28-2017, 1:35 PM
Are you sure your not re-inventing the wheel? On my garage wall and they have been in place forever, perferated metal looks like peg board but its sheet metal with it looks like 3/16 (or smaller) inch holes on one inch centers.
Sold at Home Depot > http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wall-Control-32-in-x-32-in-Overall-Size-Shiny-Galvanized-Steel-Pegboard-Pack-with-Two-32-in-x-16-in-Pegboards-30P3232GV/202477786

Or here > http://diamondlifegear.com/pegboard.htm?gclid=CLyg_7q5s9ICFYi4wAodzOoLBA

Gary Hair
02-28-2017, 3:08 PM
Are you sure your not re-inventing the wheel? On my garage wall and they have been in place forever, perferated metal looks like peg board but its sheet metal with it looks like 3/16 (or smaller) inch holes on one inch centers.
Sold at Home Depot > http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wall-Control-32-in-x-32-in-Overall-Size-Shiny-Galvanized-Steel-Pegboard-Pack-with-Two-32-in-x-16-in-Pegboards-30P3232GV/202477786

Or here > http://diamondlifegear.com/pegboard.htm?gclid=CLyg_7q5s9ICFYi4wAodzOoLBA

Bill - those are stamped sheet metal and are going to be nowhere near flat enough to be useful in a laser. Being sheet metal means you won't be able to size them to your laser - if they don't fit then you are out of luck. At least with 1/8" aluminum you could run it through a tablesaw and trim it to whatever size you want/need.

Bill George
02-28-2017, 4:54 PM
The bottom link has them in brushed aluminum 1/8 thick and stainless, they also make custom sizes.

Gary Hair
02-28-2017, 5:51 PM
The bottom link has them in brushed aluminum 1/8 thick and stainless, they also make custom sizes.

$151.xx for a single piece of aluminum 24" x 36". I'll stick with what Greg found...

Bill George
02-28-2017, 7:32 PM
I get 2 Units on Sale price @ 21.5x33.5 inches for $103 brushed aluminum 1/8 inch thick (3/4 edge) and shipping to me is $17 via FedEx so total $120 for both pieces.

Greg W Watson
03-01-2017, 1:59 PM
Just got the most current pricing back and with the 13 people in right now, the price is down to $51.71 for each plate and each table consists of two plates, so $103.42

Gary Hair
03-01-2017, 2:20 PM
What about the larger size for a 400? 39" x 24"

Greg W Watson
03-01-2017, 2:55 PM
What about the larger size for a 400? 39" x 24"

24 X 39.5 would be $235.78 if we can get 5 people interested. I think there are four total interested.

Gary Hair
03-01-2017, 3:19 PM
Put me down for one, and I'm willing to wait a bit to see if more people want one if it will bring down the cost a bit.

Greg W Watson
03-01-2017, 4:22 PM
For the 400 or 300?



Put me down for one, and I'm willing to wait a bit to see if more people want one if it will bring down the cost a bit.

Gary Hair
03-01-2017, 6:54 PM
400 - or as close to 39" x 24" as possible. If you had a group getting something a bit smaller I still might be interested if it wasn't too much smaller. Just trying to be flexible!

Kristian Matz
03-02-2017, 11:53 AM
Is it $235.78 for both pieces on the 400 size? If so I would be interested in the size for the 400.

TAMI WILSON
03-03-2017, 9:02 PM
Greg please take me off the list as I have found another solution.

Thanks

tami

John Blazy
03-04-2017, 5:41 PM
Pin tables are definitely useful for certain materials. I made mine (30 x 22) with a framing nailer through 3/4 birch in about an hour. Leveled the surface with a 60 grit disk, minor grinding. Works great. You need to have slots in the pin table for air flow too.

Greg W Watson
03-13-2017, 9:10 AM
Kristian I'm sorry for slow response I have been on Spring Break vacation with my family. Yes that $235.78 is for both plates but does NOT include shipping.

Greg


Is it $235.78 for both pieces on the 400 size? If so I would be interested in the size for the 400.