New Machine Build- Small machine running!

[vger]

I got my little (24" X 24") table up and running at least partly. It has only 2 linear axis at present, X and Z, and a third rotary axis centered under the router. Sort of a vertical lathe with a router mounted inline with the spindle rotation axis. I started with a small RYOBI trim router and had to change that out to my ROTOZIP when the trim router comutator came apart and quit.

I made my own rotating axis with home-made worm wheel and 1/2 10 acme as the worm screw. A 3/8 brass plate a little less than 6" diameter with 180 teeth hogged into it mating the acme, turned by a small (nema 23) stepper gives me 0.01 deg steps.

It's currently making bowls out of bamboo. Segmented ring layups to roughly conform to the bowl shape, then multiple passes with the router to rough it out and then one more fine pass to smooth it. Using a 3/8" box core bit (like a ball nose end mill) and lots of passes makes for a pretty fine finish.

I'll post some pics when I can.

Steve