Joe's 2006 Prebuild

[mrlenny]

Hello all. This is my first post.

I am doing my research to build the Joe 2006 CNC and have a question regarding the threaded rods.

The original plans call for the 1/4" threaded rod. In the mod section I have seen mention of ACME screw being used. This is a stupid question but is the ACME screw used in place of the threaded rod?

I am really looking forward to my build. I will post pictures/videos of my progress once a obtain my parts.

[BobF]

mrlenny,
The drive system is ACME screws.
The threaded rod is used to hold the machine together in places where bolts are not appropriate.
Look at the pictures here in my build, you can see the 1/4" threaded rod that holds the gantry axis together. The rods are about 36" to start and cut down to lenght as needed.
Another Joe in GA

[mrlenny]

All right, I have started acquiring parts for my build (finally graduated college last weekend.) I went this morning to buy MDF, but I ran into a problem. They do not carry 1/4 inch nor 1/2 inch MDF.

I thought I would ask the experts here, but is there any reason I can't make the entire machine out of 3/4 inch MDF? I assume the thinner wood is for cost efficiency only and that 3/4 inch would technically make the machine more rigid.

Thanks!

mrLenny

[ger21]

If you go to a Home Depot, look where they sell pre cut pieces. The Home Depots in my area only sell 1/4" MDF in 2x4 pieces. They should have 1/2" in the same place.

[mrlenny]

thanks for the reply Gerry. I never thought about buying dimensional sheets. I had it my mind to buy 4 x 8 sheets of MDF. This will work out better for me anyways as I currently do not have a truck.

[BobF]

The smaller dimension also saves some weight. The gantry is probably the only place that weight matters, and not that much there. You would need to adjust some things to use 3/4", but I don't see why you couldn't use it.

[AJ Negvesky]

I did use 1/2 for everything but Used 3/4 for the gantry sides hoping that that would prevent some of the flex I had been hearing about.. It kinda messes up the bolt list a little.

[mlabruyere]

thanks for the reply Gerry. I never thought about buying dimensional sheets. I had it my mind to buy 4 x 8 sheets of MDF. This will work out better for me anyways as I currently do not have a truck.

When you do go to get some 3/4 MDF you can have it cut down right there at HD. The first cut is free. Makes 2 nice clean 4x4 sheets. You can pay 50 cents per cut for more. All you need is $1 to get 4 2x4 sheets. That should fit on the back seat of most cars.

[mrlenny]

thanks for all of the suggestions. I thought about the smaller pieces, but according to the sketchup file, the torsion box has pieces measuring at least 58 inches long.

Fortunately, a co-worker brought his truck to work today and I was able to purchase the 1/2" MDF I needed for my build.

Hopefully by this weekend I can get most of it cut out and change my status from prebuild to building!

[BobF]

In his kit, Joe supplies the long pieces as 2 pieces. They connect at an intersection with a cross member. The point is you don't have to have a 58" piece. You can get away with 48".

[mrlenny]

I finally started my build. I am doing this with a table saw, jig saw and drill press. I know it will not look pretty, but I plan on recreating the machine once it is running.

[Shim]

mrlenny,
how did you print out the parts for cutting?

thanks.
-shim