New Machine Build- Three Axis CNC from Table Saw

[jhowelb]

This idea is to use a table saw as a foundation on which to build a 3 axis machine.

I have included a photo of the intended victim which was headed to the dump when I had an epiphany. There before my eyes was a solid cast iron base which was flat, square and mounted on legs. Why, much of the prep work is already done!

The object will be to attach 1/4" angle iron to each side, adjust to the plane of the table top and make them parallel.

I have on order some "trucks" to run these rails to carry the X axis and I am so convinced that it will work well that I ordered enough trucks to make all three axes.

More to come as progress is made.

[Stampede]

Watching, great ideal.

Thanks.

[ahren]

Jhowelb,

Great idea, and glad to see you using the new carriages. Be careful with the angle iron, as it can be somewhat unsquare (the angle can be anywhere from 88-92 degrees), and sometimes is rounded on the edges, which doesn't provide a great bearing surface for the bearings in the "slots". You may have a better source that I'm not aware of, but if not, you might consider mounting a piece of flat bar on top of the angle, or mounting flat bar to the side of your table saw (sticking out above and below) and running a carriage on the top and bottom. Just my $0.02.

What are you planning on using for a gantry? And what sort of drive system(s) are you considering? Regardless, should be a fun project to see come together.

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[jhowelb]

Originally Posted by ahren Jhowelb, Great idea, and glad to see you using the new carriages. Be careful with the angle iron, as it can be somewhat unsquare (the angle can be anywhere from 88-92 degrees), and sometimes is rounded on the edges, which doesn't provide a great bearing surface for the bearings in the "slots". You may have a better source that I'm not aware of, but if not, you might consider mounting a piece of flat bar on top of the angle, or mounting flat bar to the side of your table saw (sticking out above and below) and running a carriage on the top and bottom. Just my $0.02. What are you planning on using for a gantry? And what sort of drive system(s) are you considering? Regardless, should be a fun project to see come together. Ahren www.cncrouterparts.com

I Don't have the parts yet, you were due to ship them today.

$.02 worth duly noted, such is the purpose of the thread. Using cold roll is one of the possibilities I've explored and adding such will be only a minor modification should there be a problem with angle.

I probably should add that I own other cnc machinery to assist in this project, A mill and a lathe.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29339

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26530

My notion is for a simple relatively cheap rig that will render art work and sign work. Absolute precision can be better done on the mill.

Thanks and keep the comments coming!

[jhowelb]

Here is a drawing I made before deciding to go with the rollers. This illustrates a method of attaching rails (cold roll steel and Gingery type slides) which will work as well with this idea. This puts the rails on the same plane on two axes leaving only parallel to reckoned with.

[ahren]

Jhowelb,

That's right -- yours was one of the orders I received this week. I'm sorry to say that I haven't made it home yet to ship your parts. Some stupid Dutch holidays next week had the KLM terminal in Amsterdam completely swamped (3 hour lines -- ughh), so I'm stuck writing this in an airport hotel room, waiting for my rescheduled flight tomorrow morning. Heh... Anyway, they should go out Monday morning, so I'll have to revise the estimate to Wednesday or Thursday for delivery -- sorry for the delay.

Since you have a mill, I'm sure you can make the angle work. And I hear you on the precision thing -- one of the things I've enjoyed most about my cnc router is the large work envelope, and the relative precision compared to most woodworking tools. The first sign I cut for my wife's business was a hoot. Should be another fun toy in your collection!

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[tvdbon]

Any more progress on this. I've also got an old table saw lying around so I would like to try this in the future.

[jcc3inc]

Sir,

I have attached (3) pix of my setup using cold drawn flats as rails. CDF is excellent dimensionally and has an excellent finish. In the pictures, 1/2 x 2" is used for the long rail and 1/4 x 4" is used on the cross axis. The bearings are regular ball bearings. I used Bishop Wisecarver eccentric bushings for adjustment of the slight preload.

Regards,
Jack C.

[jhowelb]

Progress is coming slowly because I'm 66 yoa and have COPD. Had a run of poor health so havn't done much other than gather parts.

So far I've collected 1/2" Acme Threaded rod, anti-backlash nuts, 4 stepper motors and 1/4" X 2' cold roll steel (for rails) as well as 6 of the roller bearing units pictured above.

I'm living on social security retirement so money is tight and I need to make most of the assorted parts myself on my cnc converted mill and cnc converted lathe. I recently converted the spindle motor to a dc treadmill surplus and have been trying to iron some difficulties with that project in order to tackle this one again.

Please remember that the COPD makes me very short of breath and so just going down the hall to the pot is a lot of labor so forgive me if I'm slow. My can do can't keep up with my want to!

[jhowelb]

Just won (?) another bout with chronic bronchitis and felt good enough to order some T-slot alum. extrusions. Monday or Tuesday I will purchase cold rolled steel for the rails.

1.5" X 4.125" extrusions on edge with crs perched atop for rails all bolted to cast iron table top should be plenty solid.

Hope to have photos to show soon!

[jhowelb]

While waiting for parts I've done a bit of doodling to illustrate the intended direction of progress.

[Hoop]

Keep us updated.