What's next for X2?

[BrassBuilder]

Hey All,
I am rolling right along on my CNC X2 mill. I have the mill CNCd using Keling motors and the CNCfusion kit. I have my coolant system and enclosure built. I am now putting together the electronics to run the coolant system from Mach3. I plan on building a sensor thing out of a piece of a PCB to position the cutting bit into position. There is a thread on here *somewhere* about making that.

I cut a few test pieces and even a couple of pieces for my model truck that I am building. I have a video of the machine running but it is something like 300 mb in size. Youtube only handles 100mb. I need to figure a way to reduce it in size and get it posted. After seeing the video, the machinist at work is fairly impressed with it.

I switched from Turbo CAD and CamBam to Dolphin CAD/CAM for the time being. I have a little learning curve trying to teach myself Dolphin. Oh...a friend of mine wants me to do some work for him in SolidWorks too. I might be teaching myself that on top of everything. Also sort of looking at TurboCAD Pro/CAM package.

So...what's next? Any other cool projects/upgrades I could do to the mill?
This site has been awesome for info!
Mike

[blades]

Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate right now! Might want to just sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. I think I may have a SolidWorks tutorial on PDF if you're interested. It's from an old version (2001 Plus, which is my legitimately-owned copy) but the general workflow remains basically the same. PM me if you want the tutorial. But if you've got access to a newer version, it probably has a newer tutorial on the program CD.

I'd like to see an upgrade to the linear guide system of the mill, and do away with the imperfect dovetail setup it currently has. Something like a linear bearing retrofit. That's on my wishlist, but not likely to happen. I'm still staying with the ultra-cheap CNC theme for now.

[BrassBuilder]

LOL. I actually was called an over achiever today. What can I say? I like playing around with software and the machine. But I do need to get the software settled and start making parts. I've been jumping between DolphinCad and TurboCad today. I might go back to TurboCad for the time being. That being today. Tomorrow I might like DolphinCad better.
Mike

[bilinghm]

Hey BrassBuilder, Tell me more about your model truck. I am a scale car model builder too. Where are you located? Bill in Atlanta,

[LongRat]

Yes, I'd be keen to see that too. My interests are in that area. I'm building a 1/8 scale Baja desert buggy at the moment with my CNC X2.

To the guy who called you an over achiever, there's only one thing you can say in response. There's no such thing mate!

[BrassBuilder]

Hey guys,
Bill: I am in Mitchell South Dakota.
LongRat: LOL. Actually "he" was a "she".

I specialize in building 1/8" scale military models. I finished my first model last summer. It is a 1/4 ton M416 2-wheel trailer. It is made all out of brass and copper with custom poured rubber compound tires.

I am currently working on an M915A1. This is basically a military version of a semi truck. I have a good portion of the frame built and the cab roughed in. I am working on the engine (Cummins 400) right now. The engine will only be a display model and not a running model. I am not near smart enough to start building running engines.

This should get you to my website:

www.angelfire.com/sd2/82crewcab/index.html

Click on the lathe and then the trailer. I have a few assembly pics posted.

Mike

[LongRat]

Nice work. I particularly like your wheels on the first trailer.