Another Aussie Router build

[Matty Zee]

Hi All,

Well, i started building my router. I plan on having a cutting travel of 1400mm x 650mm x 100mm. The Y gantry and Z axis will be made from Aluminium 3mm sheet folded to add strength and the X axis table will be made from steel.

Here are some pics of progress so far.

[Matty Zee]

It may be a bit hard to see from the photos. The gantry is made from 5 parts.
2 sides, 1 base, 1 front, 1 back (not attached in photo).
All parts have at least one fold in them to add stiffness and the parts are bolted together (to allow for adjustment). Only a few bolts are used to hold it together as shown.
When fully bolted together the gantry is VERY stiff. I am very happy with it so far.

Rails are 15 series SKF linear bearings.

Ball Screws are NOOK from HomeShopCNC.

[Greolt]

Good start there Matty Zee.

Keep the reports and pics coming as you progress.


Greg

[Rodm1954]

A lot of thought has gone into your design. Nice work and keep them coming.

[crocky]

Hi Matty,

Lookin' good and it should be a useful tool when you finish. Good quality parts too.

Bob

[epineh]

Nice work, keep the pics coming.

Russell.

[Greolt]

Heh Heh You've bought all the Aussies out of the woodwork haven't you

[Matty Zee]

Hi All,

Thanks for the positive comments. I have been slowly making progress. And its only going to get harder in the next few weeks as my wife and I are expecting our first baby...
But here a couple of photos showing some progress on the z axis...

[Rodm1954]

Hi Matty
Neat work. Is that a Milwaulkee die grinder? I'm waiting to see what is in the THK box in the background.
Hope all goes well with the expectant one.

[Matty Zee]

Hi Rod,
Yep, certainly is a Milwaukee... the DG30QE if i'm not mistaken...Have you used this one? How have you found it?
Unfortunately the THK box doesn't have anything more in it that wasn't already shown in the first photos :-( still need to buy my x axis rails...

Hopefully i'll have some pics of my power supply and control box later in the week.
Cheers
Matt

[Matty Zee]

Here are some better photos of the gantry. The first ones were a bit dark.

Also shown are some 7/8" nuts that were bought and machined out to 15/16"-16 to suit the nook ball nuts. The two nuts on the left are as-bought, the one on the right has the thread machined out and the one lying down has been parted of the make a thin nut. I will be using two non-preload nuts per axis with the ability to adjust/remove the backlash.

[Rodm1954]

Hi Matty
The Milwaukee is a good unit. I have one with about 100 hours on it and I am very pleased. A fellow CNC'er in Perth got over 500 hours before having to replace the brushes. I sure you will not be disappointed.
Look forward to your next installment.