DIY CNC Router legs

[studysession]

Hi -
Been following a lot of threads on their DIY projects. So I started my own. Money is very limited and have a question about the legs for this thing to stand on.

Would it be stable enough to put a 4x4 wooden post around 3 foot tall at each corner? The table is 4 foot x 5 foot.

Thanks!@

[Lionclaw]

You would definitely need some cross bracing if you did that. It would probably be very wobbly with just 4 posts and no bracing.

[studysession]

Thanks -
I would do cross bracing - Just trying to figure out a cheap but stable solution.

[DayneInfo]

Here is a picture of one on 4x4's , It is Joe's router http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...5&d=1136163253

[Madclicker]

Here's a bigger one on 4.5 X 3.5 legs...before and after added bracing. I cut a *lot* of wood before adding the skirts with no problems.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=119

[studysession]

Is that like 3 2x4's put together for one leg?

[Madclicker]

Yep, that's all I did.

[studysession]

Originally Posted by Madclicker Yep, that's all I did.

Cool - how sturdy is that?

[Madclicker]

Originally Posted by studysession Cool - how sturdy is that?

Extremely sturdy! I climb on it all the time. Also, after adding the side skirts there is no wiggle any which way...except for the movement in the cast iron castors.

[studysession]

Thanks - That's looks great. I like the side skirts.

I see a lot of people use wood and another thread a guy used plywood. Is that common for these kinds of routers?

[Madclicker]

I seldom use plywood for tools. It starts warping from the minute you pull it from the rack. One exception is the router table fences I make out of baltic birch ply. The design I have, combined with the stability of baltic birch makes a good product.

Dimensional wood would be a far third in my choice of materials for tools.

I think mdf is a superior product to make jigs and tools from.

[Lionclaw]

Originally Posted by Madclicker Since MDF is so soft on the edges, I would expect crushing where the pipe rides after time.

Wouldn't this make it unsuitable for use in making tools?

Edit: NM, I just read in your build log that you used hardwood up against the pipes. Would you consider baltic birch plywood (not the veneered stuff) superior for making machines?

I'm considering switching to building my machines from the veneered birch to baltic birch. The cost would be significantly higher, but if there's a demand for it then I suppose it's worth it.