Newbie Hello

[etjoe]

Been lurking here since 2008, I wanted to say hello (finally). My name is Emmanuel and I started my DIY CNC about 2 years ago with the purchase of some LM rails. I got the bug again this year and decided to try to get all the parts and actually build my machine.

Now I remember why I stopped 2 years ago, it seems like you have to use an existing CNC to build the parts that you can't buy!

Okay, enough b_tching and back to drawing & designing with 80/20 Aluminum. Anybody here have experience with this product?

[Drools]

80/20 is becoming quite popular for small to mid sized machines. What did you ant to know?

[dustin1706]

8020 is awesome. You can get it at fastenal in any length you need within about 2 weeks.

Here is a sketchup plugin for 8020 profiles 80/20 Aluminum T-Slot Extrusion Instant Quote - with Google SketchUp Support

[etjoe]

I wanted to know if anybody's had experience with 80/20 here in Canada. It seems that they don't ship directly to us (i.e. Amazon) so we have to go through places like Fastenal who doesn't seem to keep any in stock (Woodbridge) store. I always thought that it was good business to keep samples for people to have a feel and then order what they need.

I'm a "wing-it" sorta guy so I didn't really spec out my machine. The FloMoCo link looks awesome. At this point, I have the machine drawn out on Rhino and I'm ordering from CPI Automation in Mississauga.

So, if I may ask, what kind of corner braces are recommended? I'm thinking of using 40-3368 90 degree Inside Corner Connector but there's no way of knowing in advance how stable they are.

[H1rg0n]

So far my experience with fastenal has been less than steller. Been waiting almost 2 weeks for a quote....kind of ridiculous if you ask me.

80/20 does have an ebay outlet and they do ship to Canada but you have to email them first so they can take you off the shipping exemption list. But the bad part of that is they will only ship to Canada via UPS......no exceptions....I asked. So if you don't mind getting financially raped for brokerage fees and cross border taxes that is an option also.

[etjoe]

You're right. I went to a different Fastenal store, got great service but when the guy was supposed to call me back to give me a quote for the 80/20 stuff, he said that I'm supposed to call him. What gives?

I was checking some places on eBay including the 80/20 Garage but they don't seem to have too much. There are some other places but if you can't get the fasteners, they're pretty much useless.

Anybody here know how to weld?

[H1rg0n]

Thank god i own a flux core mig welder....i may be looking at doing it up that way with some 1 1/2 inch stteel square tubing. As long as i jig it all nice and square it should be just as good.....but going to be a heavy S.O.B....LOL

[etjoe]

Don't laugh, I've already looked up some cheap welders at Canadian Tire to put some plan together as to how I can weld square profile steel into a frame. I've cut steel round tube (4" dia) with my chop saw so I know I can make mitre cuts. Just need to learn how to weld.

I got an email today from an 80/20 distributor here in Toronto telling me that the order I put in last Friday won't be shipped until 3 weeks from now. I'm so pissed right now. I just emailed 80/20 directly to see if they can make some other arrangement.

[H1rg0n]

Pricess Auto has some good cheap welders also....that where i bought mine and has worked like a dream. I have used it from doing tack welds on 1/8 inch plate to 3/4 square tubing....and i paid less than $200.00 for it (including mask and gloves)

My only advice is to get one that can switch from flux core to shielding gas, so later if you want to upgrade you aren't buying a whole new welder.

[dustin1706]

The princess auto DECA brand welders are actually pretty good for the money. But like H1rg0n says, get one that is gas capable. Welding with gas is much easier and produces a much better weld.

[etjoe]

Wow, you guys are fearless!

I've come up with another option. I went to Metal Supermarket today and bought some aluminum square tubing 3mm walls. The service was so quick and good that my head was spinning. I'm now thinking of getting aluminum tubing and having them cut triangles out of 3mm aluminum sheet so I can use it for corner bracing. What do you guys think?

[rapidlock]

Originally Posted by etjoe Wow, you guys are fearless! I've come up with another option. I went to Metal Supermarket today and bought some aluminum square tubing 3mm walls. The service was so quick and good that my head was spinning. I'm now thinking of getting aluminum tubing and having them cut triangles out of 3mm aluminum sheet so I can use it for corner bracing. What do you guys think?

You know Metal Supermarkets sells that 80/20 aluminum as well. The Cambridge ON store has a display of it right at the front counter.