Aluminum T-Slot Build Using Misumi Extrusion

[EKFER]

I just received the 5 sections of t-tracks I ordered from Rockler. They came in single plastic tubings. They look high tech, strong and beautiful with the anodized blue color. I'll try to incorporate them to the rest of the parts this weekend.

My project machine has a lot of parts. This is due to the fact that I started it by using materials I had in my shed and little by little adding components. When I realized that I had the opportunity to create a solid machine, I started designing the parts in PowerPoint (I learned to manipulate the graphics). Then, I was able to get some of the components machined in a Bridgeport Milling Machine. It has been a journey! But there is nothing better than to put together your own creation.

My main purpose for the machine is to show my youngest son (12), how to build things. I hope that, since he likes to use computers, he would get involved in designing trinkets and move on to producing real parts. Pictures will be added soon. Take care. By the way, I'm in Miami and the weather here is great this time of the year.

[harryn]

Thank you for posting the extensive info and experience with this T slot material. I attempted a build using other approaches and came to a dead end, so I am back considering a T Slot approach. My goal is similar - ability to deal with 5 ft wide sheet material.

I am glad to see how your joints have turned out, because frankly it settled a fear I had about how well butt joints would work out (if the cuts are not accurate enough ) Thank you also for the extensive comments about material selection advantages / challenges.

I am still not entirely sure how to deal with a corner joint that has an upright post, an X and Y directed T Slot frame all meeting at the same place. I guess it can be accomplished with gussets, although it would be handy if it could be done with screws through the frame. I can't see how this can work though since the screws would likely interfere.

Good luck with the twins - it gets easier after about 1 year, but hiring a "mother's helper" can be a real useful thing to do.

[EKFER]

I appreciate your message. However, it should have been addressed to Bear5k. He is the experienced one and the father of the twins. Keep in touch

[Bear5k]

Thank you for posting the extensive info and experience with this T slot material. I attempted a build using other approaches and came to a dead end, so I am back considering a T Slot approach. My goal is similar - ability to deal with 5 ft wide sheet material.

I am glad to see how your joints have turned out, because frankly it settled a fear I had about how well butt joints would work out (if the cuts are not accurate enough ) Thank you also for the extensive comments about material selection advantages / challenges.

I am still not entirely sure how to deal with a corner joint that has an upright post, an X and Y directed T Slot frame all meeting at the same place. I guess it can be accomplished with gussets, although it would be handy if it could be done with screws through the frame. I can't see how this can work though since the screws would likely interfere.

This is where you have to get creative a bit, I believe. On the one hand, the larger internal opening of the larger square (e.g., 90mm x 90mm) extrusions can probably allow inserting the screw from inside the extrusion, if that makes sense. Locating pins also can help since they are not full depth, but you lose the axial force that a screw provides. A third option is a variation on the gusset theme, which I am hoping to use here eventually, which is to use custom long t-nuts. I am also thinking of using a "layering" approach with some long machine screws (100mm+) that I have on-hand, but that will have to wait a few months.

Good luck with the twins - it gets easier after about 1 year, but hiring a "mother's helper" can be a real useful thing to do.

Yep, we hired a full-time nanny, but I'm traveling a few days a week for work, so we're still short a hand or two.

[aprice12]

I'm glad I found this thread. I am in the process of designing my own three axis machine using aluminum structural T slot material. I may or may not use Misumi T slots because I have access to a large quantity of 80/20 and Bosch material. Free can't be beat - especially for my first build.

I have been using Misumi's products for several years and have always found their products to be of exceptional quality. It's like having my own machine shop at my mailbox. I always get a kick out of how well my items are packaged. The Japanese still know how to do that. Here in the U.S., packaging things well is a lost art like bagging groceries.

How is your build progressing? Its been several months since your last post.

[EKFER]

Welcome: I didn't go with Misumi at this time but Bear5k highly recommends it. For my project I'm using Rockler t-tracks 36". I purchased their nuts and built my own t-track hold downs. I'll get the misumi/8020 in the future. Take care.

[Bear5k]

I'm glad I found this thread. I am in the process of designing my own three axis machine using aluminum structural T slot material. I may or may not use Misumi T slots because I have access to a large quantity of 80/20 and Bosch material. Free can't be beat - especially for my first build.

I have been using Misumi's products for several years and have always found their products to be of exceptional quality. It's like having my own machine shop at my mailbox. I always get a kick out of how well my items are packaged. The Japanese still know how to do that. Here in the U.S., packaging things well is a lost art like bagging groceries.

How is your build progressing? Its been several months since your last post.

The build is largely on hold. With now six month old twin baby girls, I'm at a level of sleep deprivation where I'm not sure I'm safe around power tools. ;-) Fortunately, the day job involves mostly work with computers. And meetings. Lots of meetings. The downside is that the day job is also involving 3 days a week being away from home. Translation: no time for CNC building. If I had to peg it, I'm about 80% - 90% done with the structural build, but after this step comes the squaring and leveling part. That will take some time since that's where the precision is won or lost. All of the work prior is to make that step easier or harder.

If I can catch a break or five on work and my girls get rid of their reflux, I might finish this by Christmas -- only seven-ish short months away!