X2 workbench & location questions

[tooManyHobbies]

In anticipation of the delivery of an HF X2, I thought I'd plan ahead and get the work area set up.

What size workbench works well with the X2? 48" x 24"? I may mod it for increased X or Y, so I need to take that into consideration.

Second, how many have their X2's in a room that wouldn't normally be considered a spot for a mill? I'm considering putting it in my office (a converted bedroom), just because the basement is cold and I'd have to set up another PC for it. I'll do the belt drive conversion, and I understand that reduces the noise factor quite a bit, but I'm mainly worried about the mess, especially if I add some sort of coolant spray to it.

Thanks!

tom

[The Blight]

Well my X2 is placed right next to our couch in our livingroom. I don't have an enclosure around it yet, so I try to make as little a mess as possible.

[blades]

I was thinking about moving mine from the garage into my wife's craft room, at least until I get done working on the CNC conversion and belt drive. I've been machining the parts at work, because my HFX2 is in various states of disassembly at the moment.

I would be concerned about the smell from coolant and/or cutting fluids when using it inside, as well as chip containment. It can get very messy.

[LeeWay]

I would only do this if you are going to build a FULL enclosure. Completely sealed when the doors are closed. Otherwise, you will likely spend more time cleaning up than machining.
I run Koolmist 77 and it has no smell. It smells like water I mean. It also keeps everything from rusting. It would be a great choice for what you are considering.

A full enclosure will also take up a bigger footprint. I have my home made mill on a steel stand that is about 2' x 3'. My collection tray is 4' x 42" though. You will need a smaller one I think. I have my motors mounted direct drive on the ends of the X and Y. I could have made it smaller if I would have tucked them under or to the side with a belt drive.

My enclosure is half open and when I used compressed air to clean the fixture or vise for the next part, some chips goes outside, but not a lot. That whole wall in y shop is cnc machines though, so a little errant swarf or chips is expected. You wouldn't want that in an office though.

[tooManyHobbies]

Originally Posted by LeeWay I would only do this if you are going to build a FULL enclosure. Completely sealed when the doors are closed. Otherwise, you will likely spend more time cleaning up than machining. I run Koolmist 77 and it has no smell. It smells like water I mean. It also keeps everything from rusting. It would be a great choice for what you are considering. A full enclosure will also take up a bigger footprint. I have my home made mill on a steel stand that is about 2' x 3'. My collection tray is 4' x 42" though. You will need a smaller one I think. I have my motors mounted direct drive on the ends of the X and Y. I could have made it smaller if I would have tucked them under or to the side with a belt drive. My enclosure is half open and when I used compressed air to clean the fixture or vise for the next part, some chips goes outside, but not a lot. That whole wall in y shop is cnc machines though, so a little errant swarf or chips is expected. You wouldn't want that in an office though.

That's the conclusion I came to also. Thanks for the Koolmist tip.
I like what this guy has done, in an apartment in NYC no less!
http://www.nyccnc.com/Herbie/HERBIES..._is_done!.html

He used 80/20 components, which appear to be pricey, but I've always wanted to work with them, so maybe I'll see how bad it would be, if I can figure out what I need!

tom

[blades]

Hey Tom, 80/20 can be pricey, but not too bad for a simple elclosure. It can really get expensive when you start buying the fancy and larger connectors and such. You should be able to go to their website and download a catalog. Where I previously worked, I used it all the time. Even built a simple go-cart frame out of it.

I really like the setup of the mill in the apartment. Very nice looking. But even with full chip containment, you still have to remove the machined parts and deburr them by hand, so you still need a good work area to contain the chips also. If I had mine inside like that, I think I'd limit machining to plastics only, which would vacuum up easily and not require the added mess from coolant or cutting fluid.

- Bill

[tooManyHobbies]

Originally Posted by blades Hey Tom, 80/20 can be pricey, but not too bad for a simple elclosure. It can really get expensive when you start buying the fancy and larger connectors and such. You should be able to go to their website and download a catalog. Where I previously worked, I used it all the time. Even built a simple go-cart frame out of it. I really like the setup of the mill in the apartment. Very nice looking. But even with full chip containment, you still have to remove the machined parts and deburr them by hand, so you still need a good work area to contain the chips also. If I had mine inside like that, I think I'd limit machining to plastics only, which would vacuum up easily and not require the added mess from coolant or cutting fluid. - Bill

Bill,

That's encouraging info about 80/20. I'll go check their website again for info.

I completely overlooked the after-machining tasks! Thanks for the heads-up.

tom

[Hunter12]

Im building my new Taig enclosure out of 80/20. I'll post pics when I get it done.

[tooManyHobbies]

Originally Posted by Hunter12 Im building my new Taig enclosure out of 80/20. I'll post pics when I get it done.

That'd be great! Could you include a parts list too?

And I just found 80/20's eBay site: http://stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale
They call it the 80/20 Garage Sale and they sell new, overstock, used, blemished, etc, parts, but fully functional, so that's the way I'll go!

Now I need to figure out how big to make this bench.

tom