What size is best for your first CNC router table?
I have been thinking of selling some pre machined ACME lead screw sets, but I am not sure what sizes people would be looking for?
The set would include:
3x 1/2-10 ACME lead screws with the ends turned for bearings.
3x cast iron nuts with 4x 1/4" mounting holes. (vertical or horizontal?)
6x double sealed ball bearings.
6x aluminum flanges with 4x 1/4" holes for mounting the bearings.
Pre-machined ACME lead screw sets for a standard JGRO design/build would be fantastic. You'd provide a great service for both, the first time builder that didn't want to use 1/4-20 threaded rod, and for those of us that did use the threaded rod and now want to upgrade (to reduce whip/backlash, increase precision, reduce wear, etc.).
Is it possible to add the JGRO Design category to your poll?
What a good idea, when I was machining my leadscrews from M12 allthread I spent ages making jigs and support sleeves just to hold 1M lengths in my small lathe so I could machine the ends without killing myself.
Perhaps some form of adjustable end bearing housing would give first time builders a bit more lattitude in making things fit with minimal play.
Maybe it's me, but I have a hard time thinking in wood! I have never used or built a machine using wood! For thirty years I've been working in metals and some plastics, the strength and flexability are easy to predict! Wood dust just makes me sneeze alot!
As for the choice of dimensions in the poll, well, I have a small bridgeport clone, it has a working table of 24x12, so inorder to make things simple I kept the products within that scope!
As for the kits, I would package each part seperately, and ship in one box!
There would be little chance of damage to them!
I was thinking about the rigidity of the parcel for posting.
If you put the turned acme inside cheap pvc plumbing pipe and make the parcel even more rigid by taping the acme to a stick, there is very little chance of transit damage. As you know, any little bend incurred during transit would make the acme screw useless.
well. what i would do is use pvc fit to the size of the screw. put fragile on it and insure it for double the price of the screw. ;-). BTW what would ya charge for a 6foot screw turned down 5' 6" of screw length? i am planning on a 4x4 router..