Metal Gantry Mill

[jdclark]

We don't come here to post projects and have people say "I don't believe this will ever get done", and then have to prove them wrong. If that's the case, then I sure as hell wont post any more build threads!

Personally, I read these forums for entertainment and information. I like to see what others are building and pick up on how guys are doing things. I don't like to open a thread and find out there is nothing there but talk. I think the originator of the thread would have been better off to join into an existing project and post his idea for a mill and ask questions about its feasability etc. There are a lot of great projects on this forum-
like this one-

DIY aluminum vertical mill build

I think that is what people want to see.

[The Blight]

And this justifies making such replies?! Just because you can't click back on your browser? Instead you just have to tell everyone your opinion on this project even if it does not matter at all. So tell me why there is such a great need to make these kind of replies. Just click back and ignore the topic!

You also want someone to go into another persons thread and hijack it with his ideas? If you only want pictures of done projects, go hang out in the picture gallery.

All in all, please tell me why Giterdun had to make the comments that he did. What was the need for these replies?

[chimpera]

Thanks to the blight for trying to make this a positive forum, and being a contributor. Its funny that the two detractors have contributed nothing, done nothing.

[KyleL]

I don't like to open a thread and find out there is nothing there but talk.

I believe you sir, need a lesson on how the internet works. It is nothing but talk. Sure there may be pretty pictures and boasts, and techniques shared by some but all contributions are simply talk. It is pathetic to think that every thread that has value is simply a build log from start to finish -- are children's picture books all you believe had value?

I think the originator of the thread would have been better off to join into an existing project and post his idea for a mill and ask questions about its feasability etc.

This is called 'Hijacking' and it is an insult.

@Zach, thank you very much for the cad work and talk. This has inspired parts of my own designs and I would love very much to see you finish this project. Please, if you have any issues or questions let us know, others here may have run in to similar problems, and will have less closed minded advice for you.

I also have a more devious reason for hoping you finish this project. Your cad is ambitious, and if finished will undoubtedly be popular, leading many others here to learn from this thread full of talk, discussion, and information. And, it would forever leave the insults posted in this thread on display for others to read. People really should learn that anything posted on the internet is as good as written in stone.

[stevespo]

Some projects never get finished because life gets in the way. If our lives depended on these machines, we probably wouldn't be building them nights and weekends.

That doesn't mean that there isn't a lot to be learned. It's valuable to document them from the beginning to benefit from the thinking that has gone into it. Both the good and the bad.

Zach, we're enjoying your process. Keep the discussion flowing. Everyone else should be honest and constructive with your comments and criticism. If you don't want to read it or you think there needs to be a deadline associated with it - move on.

Steve - Is a DIY machine every really "done"?

[Zach_G]

Geez, I come out of winter hibernation and look what's going on. I was hoping this thread would slip back into obscurity after being brought back to life, but doesn't look like it's happening. I'm sorry to everyone this thread has offended with its content (or lack there of). It wouldn't keep coming up though if it weren't bumped every few months. Although I am a bit flattered by the fact this thread shares space on someone's calendar.

To those upset with the content, I'd like to say this project has been substantially more than "just a few hours of CAD". The CAD alone has probably involved 50+ man hours over the evolution of the design, specing out everything down to nuts and bolts. Additionally, much effort has been put into engineering the best possible machine to meet MY personal needs with the components that are already paid for. I've written MATLAB code to simulate axis performance, and done FEA to gauge ridgidity. Personally, I think the amount of time and effort put into it is worth sharing, and also appreciate viewing the other "vapor" designs out there; it seems a few others agree.

I still welcome the negative feedback pertaining to the design. It's one of the reasons I've been hesitant to start building. That and life has priorities, this is after all just a hobby!

So thanks everyone for all the support, but before we all start a flame war and bring about the almighty wrath of the mods, lets limit the comments to constructive criticisms. Kinda embarrased actually that I've brought about this bickering in an otherwise informative and professional forum. Promise I'll only post updates of physical progress (It won't be built by GITERDUN's deadline, you win) so there's no need to ask or point out lack of progress =)

Well, I'm done for now, and so should all of you!

[digits]

I think XKCD said it best:



Zach_G - as everyone on here should know, the first rule of voyeurism is that it's bad form to tap on the window if you don't like the action! This is your thread and your hobby - we're all just passengers who can get off if we don't like where it's going.

From what I've read so far, you've got an interesting design and a good stack of bits - IMHO if you've got the time and the money, you might as well have a crack at building it. Modelling is all good and well, but I think there is a danger that it can lead us to dismiss designs that while not optimal, are probably good enough. Once you have it built (or usually half way through) you can start thinking about how V2.0 will be so much better

[LeeWay]

On each and every one of my machines, the design or first build was always upgraded for the better. I always started with my smallest motors and cheapest controllers. Always used good parts though, so mots upgrades were with the electronics. The only time I ever really completed a design to work from, wound up changing a bit, but not much. That was my lathe. It did get better electronics though.

Designing on paper so to speak is a very useful tool, however there is not much in the way of real world testing. Experience of others here certainly helps as does good constructive criticism.

I say start with the base. Throw it down. Take a pic. Viola, the start of a project.