New Machine Build- Alexis221 build

[alexis221]

All right here is my two cents for a home built cnc router. The base is all heavy 1/8 inch metal tubing welded together. not so easy in my shop....(Woodworking shop). Right now I have casters on the legs for ease of movement. Not sure if I am going to keep them on when all finished. I have all plans in cad however they change all the time do to availability of parts, and what kind of deals I can find. So things change and I deal with it and move on with out trying to compromise to much. As I will show I have been making progress very quickly. I try to collect as much as possible to keep me busy on certain sections without losing focus. The gantry in some aluminum and some metal. I have the ballscrew mocked up and tweaking the rails. Also just finished with the ballscrew mount and added the top table surface. thanks let me know what you think so far.

[tauntdesigns]

I still in the dreaming stage of my router build...........

I really like what you got going on. It looks really stout.........

Cheers,
Jack

[alexis221]

I have been watching and learning for a long time also, and finially started the machine. Now I can't stop working on it...even in my sleep. I am happy with the progress even though there have been challanges along the way so far. Thanks....I am working on the gantry router sub plate right now. I need to order more aluminum and start thinking about fabing some motor mounts.

[alexis221]

Ok today I was able to cut and trim the router sub-plate, and drilled the holes for the trucks on the gantry....Not so easy...Alot of measuring and re measuring. I don't have access to machine work tools so I have to either make jigs or be creative with the tools I do have....So far so good. I fussed a bit with some binding, but a little re-ajusting and tweaking I have good results. I decided to not counter sink the socket heads becuase I like the way it looks, and won't get in the way of the top plate. next is to mock up the top router plate. I am waiting on a ballscrew in order to deal with clearance issues that I will have. I might have to put some risers below my rails to get the distance I need. I am using thk 10" rails. The distance from the bottom of the gantry to the top surface of the table is 5 1/8th inch, and if I get lucky with positioning the plate and the router mount...I might be able to get a 4.5 to 5 inch movent. Well I hate waiting on parts but I guess I have to.

[alexis221]

Well, I am sort of at a stand still.........I am waiting for my z ballscrew which should be on its way, and am in search of a y screw. I need approx. 42in. I'm looking at rex. he gave me a price of 468.00us for the screw, pre-loaded nut, and bearing blocks both fixed and simple. I think that may be a little exp. But I have no luck finding anything used even on ebay. I want a 16mm dia at 5 turns per inch. I am using the time to tweak my x rails and tripple checking alignement on everything. Thanks

alexis221.com

[Med-Pac]

Nice build, keep the pics coming!

Mike

[alexis221]

Thanks. Just finished with my x ballscrew. I had it mounted and all set and perfectly centered with no binding. Then realized that I forgot to install my second wiper......yikes. Since I work on mostly wood I want to make sure I keep as much dust out as possible. I just couldn't let it go...so I took apart the assembly and installed the wiper. Now I have a problem with the mounting plate for the under carraige. It's now causing some sort of binding. It must be something that so slight that I can't see it. I seem to think it's the cross member for the under carraige that is slightly out of 90, and when I sock down the bolts thru to the carraige is when I get a slight binding...I will need to sit back and think about what can be done....maybe a shim will do the trick. Want to get any opinion on the ballscrews sold on rex industries(homeshopcnc). They seem a little bit high in price.....But claim to be pre-loaded with no backlash....He only offers 16mm at 5 tpi. My gantry span will be 42 inches......I'm worried about whipping. Does anyone have this screw and how is it working out.....Thanks.

[alexis221]

Here's a quick cad, I have made many changes to the building of it and I'm sure I wont stop.

[alexis221]

This is one of many changes. I was originally going to use this type of designe that I came up with. really cheap in price. Using v-bearings from the local home center the one they use for heavy sliding doors. Good idea and i'm sure it's been done before. There is a little side to side play in the bearing it self, however using four on each side, I think it's almost like pre-loading them where the amount of play will be minimum at the leat. Here is the cad drawing I came up with.

[oopz]

Hi
A really nice build .. and Im in progress to change my own machine, sorry re-design it throe the progress/process.

I will go with bearings both in-line type and "bigger" bearings (on X). Iv also thought of using anrens pieces.. But in the end same "real stuff" :-) we will see!!