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I figured I would start my own build thread since I am quickly gathering a ton of pieces to this. I ordered my kit from Joe about a week and a half ago (Joe is it done yet?LOL). I stopped by Dave's (HobbyCNC) and picked up my 3 axis kit. Luckily I only live about 15 minutes from him. I have ordered all of the hardware and most of it is in. Picked up the last few pieces from McMaster today (another place that is close by), the aluminum angle and all the threaded rods. I think the only other parts I am waiting on are the transformer and the router. I assembled most of the HobbyCNC board over the weekend and just need to do the 5v test before finishing it up. In the meantime I need to build the guides. I have about zero metal fabricating experience, so this should be interesting. My question right now is how to cut the aluminum. Can I use my table saw or compound miter saw? I have a drill press to drill the holes and read about using a stop block to get them all the same. I do the same thing in my acrylic business, so that I understand. I have just never really worked with aluminum before. Any tips would be great.
Overall, I am pretty excited about this. I plan on using the router to do a lot more acrylic fabricating and to expand my business beyond just the laser cutting I already do. The laser has it's limitations, and I have always wanted a cnc router anyway.
-Paul
Welcome aboard. You can cut the aluminum with a bandsaw (metal blade of course), table saw blade (carbide is a must but be careful), cut off saw or people have even put metal cutting blades in their chop saws. I used a band saw but cut many of my metal parts like the acme rods and drill rods with a cut off wheel on my circular saw. They are cheap at home depot, about $10.
I was trying to find the post that someone here in the cnc model 2006 section showed how they used their table saw with a jig and worked real good.
I have a cross-cut sled for my table saw and read that the Freud Diablo 40T worked pretty good for cutting Al. I might give that a shot. I could probably use the same blade in my CMS too. Maybe I need to go buy a band saw! LOL
A table saw will give you much better results than a bandsaw. The miter saw will work fine too. Use a triple chip blade, if you have one. Negative hook is even better. Use the crosscut sled, and go slow, with a sharp blade, and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to cut.
Gerry
Mach3 2010 Screenset
http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/2010.html
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
That's what I use to cut all of my acrylic; TCG, 90T blade. Expensive, but gives me a good cut. I have several of them, so I will give that a try.
Thanks!
You were right Gerry. That TCG went right through it no problem. Nice clean cuts too.
Quick update.
Got the router yesterday (Hitachi M12VC, nice compliment to the Hitachi M12V that has been in my router table for 3+ years)
Got the transformer to build the power supply for the HobbyCNC board.
All the other parts are in.
Aluminum angle is cut, just need to drill the holes and I can assemble the slides.
What size table is everyone building for these? I can get that done while I am waiting to receive the parts from Joe.
Sounds like you're on your way to having a joe machine. I built a kind of low bench because I wanted my machine at waist height so there was no bending over or reaching up to get at it. Made it out of poplar and 1/2" mdf top. As a tip make a cutout in the middle so you can access it later from the bottom to grease or access the anti back lash assem on the bottom without taking the thing apart.Originally Posted by fade2black
Thats my bench in the early stages. David got a good deal on a table on I think buy.com, it's pretty nice looking.
What are the dimensions of your table? Looks like just the right size and I agree about the height. I want the top of the router to be at a comfortable height as well. I don't want a sore back after a day of using it!
About how many cans of Kilz is everyone using to prime all the MDF parts? I'm wondering if I would be better off ordering a case online then buying the individual cans at HD or Lowe's.
Paul,
Looks like you are off to a good start! Can't wait to see pictures of your progress.
I think I ended up using around 7-9 cans of primer (gray) so it would be easier to tell how good I was covering with the white. Used about 10-12 cans of white.
My table was built from a kit I purchased at Rockler. It is a bit to high with the casters on it so once I have it in my garage I'll use the orginal bolt type feet that came with it. Right now the work surface is at about 50 inches.
I want to end up with at about 42 to 44" to make it just right for me.
The frame I purchased when assembled is 36"d x 42"w. With the top I have about 8" inches at each end of the machine whick gives me a place to set tools and so on.
Bob
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