Dano's Solsylva 25x25

**bisclavret** · 08-07-2010, 11:07 PM

I finally broke down and bought Davids's book, figured I'd share a few pictures of the build so far. (Now I just have to explain the new machine to my old JGRO.)

**bisclavret** · 08-10-2010, 08:49 AM

I installed and adjusted the gantry last night without the Y axis pipes. (I didn't have enough parts 'in stock' and I couldn't seem to wait until I had another trip to the hardware store.) Pics to follow.

I've built the X axis and gantry from scrap 5/4 decking, so I've had to adjust the dimensions slightly. I seems to be working fine, it's dimensionally stable, and the best part is it's free (left over from a nephew's decking project). I'll be using scavenged steppers (I have 4), so instead of the belt I'm going to try dual motors on the X axis. Also, I've built my own stepper drivers based on PMinMO electronics designs that I've made 'modular'.

**bisclavret** · 08-16-2010, 10:02 PM

The gantry is on and the Y pipes are installed. I decided to go with 1/2-13 leadscrews for upgradability even though it's not advised. It's said that 1/2-13 rod it too rough, so I ran a die down the rod and sure enough it took out a lot of roughness. X leadscrews are adjusted (note the classy 'service position' for the idle one in the second pic) and I've tried on the Y trucks for size. My trucks are 1 1/8" steel (I'm using what I have) and the bolts I used are some metric ones from my junk drawer at work. Added plus- the scrounged 8mm bolts fit the 8mm skate bearings much nicer than the 5/16" ones! (They also look classier.) Of course, with the larger trucks I'll have to adjust the measurements again, back to the drawing board....

Here's some pics-

**bisclavret** · 08-17-2010, 09:59 PM

The carriage is on. It went on surprisingly easy and adjusted right in, and the tension rods are more of an afterthought- I have them only finger tight and all the slop is out of the bearings. I made the top plate removable rather than try to fiddle getting the upper truck on with the carriage on. (We'll see if that works, I've left enough thread showing so I can use a jam nut if needed.)