Build Thread- "MicroCarve" A-10 machine

[cnctoolman]

So I decided to get this from MicroCarve(John), as I had followed his thread on here. I am going to post my experience with this as I go so others can see from an independent view.

So far I have had exceptional communication with John. I paid for the machine and within a week I had it. Not to mention he found what he considered something that might had been a problem and let me know he was adding the aluminum bracing to it, to make sure there wouldnt be any.

Anyways he shipped it this past Saturday and I recieved it on Monday. IT was very well packed and recieved with no damage.





Now I will let you know I have skipped some pics as I was excited to get it unpacked and decided to dry fit. note that not everything is not in the exact way it will be mounted( the front panel being one)





Everything there is just sitting. No screws put in. So far nice build on it. One thing i will say, is the Z-axis assembly is silky smooth, just moving it by hand. Very nice work on it.



So skip a few more steps and I have started sealing the mdf parts. Using the recommended Zinsser(sp) spray shellac. And also have started with the first coat of primer. I will say one of the main reasons I am painting it, is just to seal the MDF.








And recieved some more goodies today. Over the weekend I picked up a Bosch Colt for the spindle.



And my mount from K-2 arrived today. Gotta say nice work on it from them. Fit like a glove.

Also ordered the precision grade collets from Think and Tinker.



And soon to be here will be the electronics. Gecko G540 package with motors from CNCrouterparts.

So the start begins.

[microcarve]

Thanks for showing the pictures!!

It's pretty exciting to see the machines again once they get
to their final destination...

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how everything goes!


John

[Kammo1]

John must say you are an inspiration and a breath of fresh air on this forum and not only for showcasing what this machine can do but sharing some excellent sound advice. Do you sell just the Z axis on their own at all ? that is one beautiful looking neat Z axis CHEERS!

[microcarve]

Gee, Thanks Very Much for such kind remarks....

Yes, I do sell the Z's when I have some spares built. I only have
3 right now and 2 will go on a couple machines in progress. I sell them
for $100 each. So one's available for sale.

I'll start a new batch of them next week when materials get here.

I can't wait to see what cnctoolman does with the A-10. It's very
exciting to see it coming together....


John

[cnctoolman]

Not much done today, had last JV Football game, plus its been raining all day so no good for painting.

But did recieve a package from CNCrouterparts. Gecko G540 with 380oz motors and power supply.

Will have pics of it soon.

[microcarve]

No rush on anything....It's always far better to take it slowly
and think things through a few times.

Sometimes I spend a few days just doing nothing but looking
at things. Maybe 50% of my time making machines is just looking.
I catch a few mistakes I may have made nearly every time....


John

[cnctoolman]

And here are the electronics from CNCrouterparts.com

Fast shipping from them and recieved with no damage.

[microcarve]

Wow...that's pretty....

I still don't have one of those. Got most every other
drivers, but not a G540.

...Yet!


John

[Jack000]

are you selling the plans microcarve? I can't find anything from a quick google search. Seems like a nice little project I can quickly cut out.

[microcarve]

No plans yet, but that's in the works.

I need to get the important feedback from the assembling and
running of this first one first to know if any changes need to be considered.
I think the placement of all angles is correct, but I want to have that verified.
Then, I'll get further along on what a plans...or maybe a "necessary parts
only kit" could/should look like.

MDF is heavy to ship around the world and I'd like to make something
available for those that can make those simple parts themselves. Some parts
are a bit more complicated to get just right, but making whatever assemblies
someone may want/need available could solve that.

It's something I'm working on....


John

[cnctoolman]

Well over the weekend here I have managed to get a few things done.

Got all the parts in primer..



Did a little test fitting again..





Then it was on to paint. The brand I prefer is Tractor Supply brand tractor and implement paint. It is some tough stuff when dry( and it takes a little longer), but it has held up beautifully on other machinery I have used it on.

I decided to go with Ford blue on this one.



Will be doing the "A-10" in white. I have to get some better white paint so I can finish that.

Here is the cleaned off rolling table I will be using for now. Good thing I had kept it, as I am now recycling it.



So I started the assembly. Started by doing the table assembly first. It went smoothly as john had labeled all the parts to where they went.



Then I assembled the gantry to the table assembly. 1 person can do this by themsleves all long as they take their time. What I did was to thread the bolts thru lightly snugging them on one side, then getting everything else lined up on the other. After that it was on to snugging up the machine.

The gantry was pretty easy, as you only tightened enough until you felt a little drag on the bearing block and then back off a little bit. It glides smoothly along the rails. A very nice fit.



Then I tightened the threaded rod torsion bars. Making sure to keep it still rolling smoothly. As I went along I checked for squarness with my precision square to make sure nothing was out.


Then I threaded the acme rod thru, adding the plastic spacer and collar on in the right places at the right time.





Then I tighted the front uprights in. Nice little idea of using a round with the threaded hole for this. It does in theory help with any little mis-alignment of holes.



And we have a basic machine now..





Now for mounting the stepper motors.



noticed I only I have the one picture of it. Will have to get more.

And I also got the z-axis assembly mounted, along with my K-2 mount and Bosch Colt.



That is as far as I am right now. Do have the steppers wired up to the G540, but I am having computer issues that I need to figure out, before I can go any further.

[cnctoolman]

Here is a picture of the machine as it sits right now. Has all the stepper motors on it, just waiting to come to life. As soon as I get the computer issues fixed.



And then I also need to figure out how I want to route the wires. But that will come later.