Z axis woes

[yukonho]

I made my Z out of some heavy duty drawer slides, but it is just not rigid enough now that I am cuttingmaterials harder than balsa. I am also having difficultties mounting my dremel rigid enough to the Z axis.
Any suggestions for an inexpensive Z slides? I searched through e-bay and found nothing really. also any suggestions for mounting a dremel more rigidly to the Z axis would be appreciated.
Thanks
co

[foamcutter]

How do you have the dremel mounted? I used one of the dremel drillpress mounts and cut off the back so I could mount it to the z slide. Ron

[chuckknigh]

It's just a thought, really, but what about some U-bolts? The kind you used to use when installing TV antennas on the roof...

It's a U of steel, threaded at both ends. Get some that actually fit, and clamp your Dremel to your Z axis.

I haven't tried this, but it seems like it should work.

-- Chuck Knight

[yukonho]

I am currently using plastic U clamps. The problem is, you have to clamp the Dremel pretty far from the bit, so the lever arm is pretty long. The bit can grab and move the dremel.
I have some delrin, I might machine something to work.
I am mostly worried about the slides, they are just not rigid enough. Any suggestions?
co

[High Seas]

Seems like I recall Dremmel having an adapter you could use. I'm thinking of the "router" attachment. As I recall, it threads onto the Dremmel itself. Maybe one of those jury-rigged up to a right angle plate (plastic and glue?) fastened to the zaxis? Would move the moment arm closer to the tool/bit anyway. How about figuring outthe thread on the "nose" of the dremmel and cutting/taping into a piece of plastic/mdf to make a mount out of? Or maybe the "extendo-bit" that looks like a long wigglie-pencil. Fix that to the rail and mount the main unit out of the way? You could get some of that modeling/baking clay and mold an adapter then bake it and use screws through that or the u-bolts. I'm gonna quit before these get tooo goofey sounding. Good luck!
Jim

[ger21]

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=11805

Just join the 2 rails together for 12" rails, although the price will probably skyrocket in the next 2 hours.

Gerry

[yukonho]

My biggest problem is the axis itself. I want something not too bulky and very rigid. I have seen a bunch, but cant find anything when I need it of course. There used to be a seller on ebay called the manufacturist, they had some applicable stuff but I cant find them.
co

[yukonho]

I saw that auction, I only want/need 1/2 that many,a dn I dont want to resell. I would pay 30 bucks for it, but not 60 and I am sure it will go up in the last hour,
co

[Hobbiest]

What about hooking a motor and lead screw up to the Dremel drill press mount, and using it for the Z axis?

[yukonho]

The dremel drill press mount is rather wobbly. Even less rigid than what I already have.
co

[balsaman]

You have a picture of what you have?

Eric

[yukonho]

Here is a pic