My Solsylva CNC Router Step-By-Step

[thkoutsidthebox]

Thanks matsuura, sorry for the late reply I've been away for a few weeks.

I've run into a problem.....another of my couplers died. The Z carriage. It just cant take the weight of the spindle I think....either way...PLEASE HELP ME!!! Here's the thread, and thanks to anyone who can fix what must surely be a very easy problem: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...876#post271876

[edo]

I just got through reading your thread - great job on the build!

I built the JGRO machine and found the same problem when I decided to use Lovejoy couplings. I used a flanged bearing on the top of the bottom plate with two nuts 'jammed' together on top of the bearing to hold the screw. It wouldn't have to be a flanged bearing if it were embedded into the plate. This isn't the best picture, but I had it available. If you look carefully where the lead screw goes into the bottom plate you can see, from the bottom up, the plate, bearing flange, black washer, two nuts. Hope this helps.

I couldn't see the first videos you posted - the links took me to "Successfully Uploaded" pages at Google Video. In your last video, it looks like you're raising your Z pretty high for rapid moves. If you only bring it a mm or 2 above zero you'll be able to cut significant time off of your carvings.

[thkoutsidthebox]

Thanks edo, I'll have to try and reduce my rapid clearance height. I had it fairly high, about 3/4 inch to clear the screw heads I was using as hold downs since I didnt screw them all the way in. Your machine looks sweet.

I have a new priority now, while cutting a few days ago I broke the collet nut and collet on my cheap chinese router, the nut sheared off completely while running. Made a bit of a mess but no permanent damage to the machine, although because its a cheap Chinese router I cant seem to find a replacement collet nut and collet. Its make is 'MacAllister' if anyone can point me to a replacement collet nut.

So next task is to get that running again and cut out a proper router clamp instead of my plumbers strapping.

L8rs.

[thkoutsidthebox]

I am working on plans for a completely new router. This one has already served its purpose, which was to teach me the basics of cnc. I hope to start early next mth. I will post a thread when my designing is finished.

[matsuura]

Can't wait to see the next built. Are you gone a use steel? And what size?

[thkoutsidthebox]

Unfortunately not steel,

I still dont have all the tools I need to use steel. But its going to be all hardwood, properly sealed, and possibly some plastic. Im pricing ballscrews from merchant dice. Also trying to decide if I should solder a 4th axis into my controller and have two steppers (1 slaved) on the X axis.

All my own design, with some inspiration from Ger's thread on rail design. Hopefully it'll be a world ahead of my solsylva build.

I want to add in all the extras. E-chain, brushes, dust extraction, limit switches, adjustable enclosure. I ordered a new router to use on it, its the DeWalt laminate trimmer. Not going too big with the spindle because the working area is still not going to be huge and I want to maximise it by keeping the Z carriage narrow. Just a bit bigger than the last one.

I also ordered a nice new router that I need to build it, the DeWalt 465 Electronic Plunge router. And I ordered the DeWalt 50L shop vac to help me keep the place a bit tidier, and use as extraction until Im in a more suitable space. Im also thinking about T-Slot rails in the base for clamping.

Anyway, dont want to give too much away yet! Thanks for the interest.

[thkoutsidthebox]

Hi folks,

If anyones interested, here is the basis of my new router.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...007#post279007

Any comments are welcome.

Thanks.