A Done Deal

[CRFultz]

Hello all,
I am finally at a point that I can say " It's done".
It's been a year since I started this and without the help of some of ya, It would have never been completed.
All three axis are operating smooth, and everything seems to be working great.
I bought the SheetCam and Mach 2 package and some bits this morning.
My starting budget was a grand and i ended up just shy of 1400.00
I've been playing with the software and I have alot to learn, I thought the building would be the tuff part....simple compared to the software learning.
I'm starting out by writing the code from scratch and watching what happens. I figured it's the best way to learn the cam stuff if you know what the code means to begin with.
I uploaded some pics for ya to take a gander at but they are kinda big.
There are some pics of my er stubby chuck there as well. A sweet piece of tooling.
Now I'll be hanging out in the Mach2 forum asking a bunch of simple questions.
here are the big pics:
http://members18.clubphoto.com/cr677...ner-48ff.phtml
Small pics


Thanks again everyone!
Chuck

[ger21]

Looks good. Do you have a source (preferably internet) for that "stubby chuck"? Looks like just the thing for running small bits <1/4" in a router.

[CRFultz]

The company that makes it is "Craftsman Industries". (not sears)
I ordered mine from MSC but there price has jumped since then.
The stubby holder was 42.00 and the collets were 23.00 each.
I bought the 1/8th and the 1/4 inch collets.
I cut the holder in half on a chop saw. The LH set screw inside is nice to adjust tool height.
The holder:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMAKA=03939220
Here are the collets:

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF?PMPAGE=1559

[santiniuk]

Really nice machine. Well done !

I would really like to build something as professional as this.

Would like to see some pics of things you cut with this. (This is one area that seems to get missed on the forum. The machine gets completed and the thread dries up.)

Would like to know how you find Mach2 also, as I'm just learning it too.

Cheers

[CRFultz]

I agree, but everyone knows that the fun is in the building.
I will be breaking bits soon. Still reading about the code...applying the single line code at the mdi screen helps. There is alot to learn with Mach 2.
I wish there was a Mach 2 router profile that only showed the stuff that is needed. There is so much info on each screen it's easy to get confused. Or maybe thats just me....

[JavaDog]

Very Nice! The PC enclosure is great too!

Hey, you're running a DeWalt too. Is that a DW618? If it is, same model I am getting.

Forgive the ignorance, but why would one buy the Stubby chuck? What is the advantage?

Originally Posted by CRFultz I wish there was a Mach 2 router profile that only showed the stuff that is needed. There is so much info on each screen it's easy to get confused. Or maybe thats just me....

Click the 'Simplfy Screen' button.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by JavaDog Forgive the ignorance, but why would one buy the Stubby chuck? What is the advantage?

You can't easily use very small tools in a router with a 1/4" collet. The ER-11 stubby chuck will let uase use tools with even 1/16" shanks. It's not cheap, though.

[CRFultz]

Yes, it is a 618. It comes with ER style chucks....1/2 and 1/4..
The stubby chuck allows me to use the smaller bits (small as 1/32 shank) with very little TIR. The less runout the longer the bit life. Plus the tool height will always be set the same if you have to change a bit.
Here is a pic of a 1/8 shank ball engraving bit. A regular cheap Dremal bit.

[2muchstuff]

I noticed in your pictures that you mounted your Y-rails one horizontal and one vertical. Is there an advantage to having it this way versus having the rails vertical? Or is it more of a personal preferance.

[CRFultz]

I think maybe i mounted them that way because it seem it would reduce the side loading on the thk bearings.
I knew my z assy. was going to be heavy so I figured it would even things out if one was loaded 90 degrees opposite the other.
This could be way off base....I know nothing about load stress or things along those lines. Most of this build came from seeing other ones here on the Zone, and plus it seem right at the time.
I know if I was going to do it all over they would be mounted the same.
There was alot of hours spent on the Z and how it mounts. Of course if I was to do it all over I would start from the router bit and design the whole machine around that. I started from the outside and worked my way in...things got real tight real quick. Lessons learned.
----
On a side note; I just made my first cut...I drew a bunch of lines in ACad and zigzag around in a area of about 5 inches, final measurement of the cut out is dead on. I am very pleased with the results of this build.
Time to start thinking about making that little Mercury lathe turn wood on it's own. I have a plan.........

[JavaDog]

Originally Posted by CRFultz Yes, it is a 618. It comes with ER style chucks....1/2 and 1/4.. The stubby chuck allows me to use the smaller bits (small as 1/32 shank) with very little TIR. The less runout the longer the bit life. Plus the tool height will always be set the same if you have to change a bit. Here is a pic of a 1/8 shank ball engraving bit. A regular cheap Dremal bit.

Very cool. I will have to remember that when I get my machine up and running. I have some projects that will require the use of smaller bits like that.

Glad to see more people using the DeWalt - I've been hearing nothing but great things about it.

[CRFultz]

Would like to see some pics of things you cut with this. (This is one area that seems to get missed on the forum. The machine gets completed and the thread dries up.)

-
Well Here is my first piece, not much to it but since today is my 16th wedding anniversary, I figured I would make her something with the machine. She stood by patiently for the last year and watched without saying a word while I took up the whole patio, so I guess she deserves the first piece. She normally goes gaga over stuff I make her so this ought to get me some,,,,,,,,,,,,, brownie points.
I drew it up in ACad and the word "years" was centered, but for some reason it didn't come out that way.
I'm still reading about offsets so I air cut and then placed my piece of walnut where I thought it should be.
I cut the outside with the scroll saw, I don't have any bits yet that were long enough to cut all the way through it.
More to come....
Chuck