Full enclosure vs chip guard

[Magnum164]

Just curious on which is better. I have a 770 and I am using a D688 vise, which will stick out past the from of the machine a couple of inches. The main issue is even with the Tormach guard it was not enough to keep chips/coolant from splashing everywhere. I have ordered a lot of 8020 but before I started building just wanted to see what the thoughts were. If a simple larger splash guard would be effective.

The only thing I didn't like about the stock splash guard is having to lift the Plexiglas out and store it while I changed something on the machine. Ended up getting it broke. So which ever method it will have a door that stays attached.

[R.DesJardin]

I made a front and sides for my 1100, made sliding doors using drawer slides from The Home Depot, works really good, need to add a front screen/keyboard unit that I can swing in and out. Kind of like what the big boys have. There's a post here I did with pics. Probably change some minor things if I ever redid it. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormac...re_thread.html

[twocik]

I'd say a full enclosure is definitely the way togo, you'd have some much more room for clamping, not to mention the splashing, flying objects, etc.. As soon as I get a little free time I'm going to make a full or half style enclosure. Summer time list is growing

[pete from TN]

I made mine for my RF45CNC and it is wonderful to be able to close the doors and watch it eat from the safety of no flying chips, coolant, or whatever else might come flying out of the machine. It does make cleanup a little more difficult because you need to be able to get to all the corners of the machines enclosure without problems. That is why I made my enclosure design in two larger pieces. The base with the tray and drains etc. and the upper clear plastic section that is see thru from all sides and is removeable with the quick unscrewing of a couple screws. Then I get my wife to help me remove it and set it on the floor in front of the machine. I can get to the whole machine for service and cleaning then easier. I usually wind up taking it off about once a month for a thorough cleaning. Other times I just reach where I can with my spray bottle of WD40 and my wet-or-dry vac. Has been working well for me for awhile now. It also cuts down on some of the noise but it does have an open ceiling in it. I guess it just redirects the sound but either way it makes it quieter when the machine is running. Peace

Pete

[Magnum164]

I made a front and sides for my 1100, made sliding doors using drawer slides from The Home Depot, works really good, need to add a front screen/keyboard unit that I can swing in and out. Kind of like what the big boys have. There's a post here I did with pics. Probably change some minor things if I ever redid it. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormac...re_thread.html

I saw that link. I bought enough material (minus the acrylic) to be about twice that high. The whole front if I do it, would fold up to the left accordian style.

[Magnum164]

I'd say a full enclosure is definitely the way togo, you'd have some much more room for clamping, not to mention the splashing, flying objects, etc.. As soon as I get a little free time I'm going to make a full or half style enclosure. Summer time list is growing

yea, I found out with this new vise and face mill, it was throwing stuff out the back left an right For now it may just be the front with doors and some plastic hanging down in the back.

Just something about having more material between me and the workpiece seems safer.

[twocik]

Use a polycarb not acrylic. Acrylic shatters pretty easy (well depending on thickness too) and polycarb scratches pretty easy. It's a trade off, but I think you'd be better off with polycarb.


Pete where's the pics ?

[pete from TN]

Hey man I do not have any pics that are readily available but I will try to take some. In the mean time you can check out my youtube channel where you can see a lot of videos of the machine and the enclosure and other stuff... peace

YouTube - PetefromTn's Channel

Pete


PS.. Apologize in advance for the video quality, I am working on it....

[kevperro]

Full enclosure is the way to go. I did an elcheapo one with 2x4s and 2mil ploy and a couple Walmart shower curtains. No regrets....best modification I have made and it only cost about eighty bucks. I am glad that I did not build a hard wall enclosure because mine is a snap to modify and I can still fit long material lengths on the bed. If I need to work on the mill it is easy to pull down the poly and staple it back up. I no longer use my extended guards because they just are not needed.

[kevperro]

double post.

[bevinp]

Kev,

I also like this approach because, as you say, it does not interfere with any access to the table or the cabinet for setup, pulldown, cleaning and mod-ing the cabinet. The only downside is appearance... but I guess I don't look out of place in front of it.

Regarding the E-stop, I already have the remote button securely fixed beside my keyboard. I don't have to look for it or move to get it, just fling the hand there. Iv'e kept my screen on the lefthand side (series 1) I found the Estop on the cabinet was almost useless, when it's URGENT and your are trying not to fixate on the imminent disaster and to leap to the cabinet. One of my favourite mods.

Drew Keyes installed shower curtains in 2009. (Are you still using them Drew?) Here's the link. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tormac...81732/pic/list

Any photos of yours Kev?

By the way, have you tasted your coolant yet?
Bevin

[kevperro]

Kev,

I also like this approach because, as you say, it does not interfere with any access to the table or the cabinet for setup, pulldown, cleaning and mod-ing the cabinet. The only downside is appearance... but I guess I don't look out of place in front of it.

Regarding the E-stop, I already have the remote button securely fixed beside my keyboard. I don't have to look for it or move to get it, just fling the hand there. Iv'e kept my screen on the lefthand side (series 1) I found the Estop on the cabinet was almost useless, when it's URGENT and your are trying not to fixate on the imminent disaster and to leap to the cabinet. One of my favourite mods.

Drew Keyes installed shower curtains in 2009. (Are you still using them Drew?) Here's the link. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tormac...81732/pic/list

Any photos of yours Kev?

By the way, have you tasted your coolant yet?
Bevin

I took a photo and posted it somewhere. I call it my Jed Clampett enclosure because it isn't going to win any beauty contest. It is cheap, easy and functional and I could care less what it looks like.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormac...enclosure.html

I have an external e-stop too and I agree that it is pretty much a necessary modification. Necessary to me means that doing it is cheaper than not doing it. The power draw-bar is another high-value upgrade. Once you have it you don't know why you didn't do it earlier.

I don't drink coolant but I had plenty of it splattered on my computer and about the shop floor before doing the enclosure. Now I get some drips in front occasionally when I'm opening/closing the shower curtains but nothing compared to what I had with just the guards in place.