Thread: 2009 the time to build

Hi to all

I finally got some more time in the shed over the weekend .

The table is side of things is now finished and I have recut the gantry sides following my stuff up. I have assembled it together so as I could see the X axis move and test for anything other than smoothness. I was able to move the gantry with my little finger with out any effort.

I have attched some photos of the build.

The first photo is the completed table, second is the fixing nuts for the aluminium on the gantry sides. I drilled the 6mm hole for the M6 countersunk screws then on the other side I drilled a 10.5mm bore to receive the M6 nuts. A quick whack with the hammer seated them nicely .

The third shows the slide assy fitted to the gantry side. The fourth is the gantry fitted to the table and the last is the PC and 19" monitor I plan to use to control it all.

Hopefully next weekend I'll be able to do some more but SWMBO wants the wardrobe done next weekend plus we have a 6yo birthparty to attend.

looking good so far.

I always thought that this design would be hard to make but it seems like its the best to make for starters.

I read his whole site when I first started and I found it amazing that he made it with so little tools.

Anyway good luck with the build and I look forward to see more

Thanks

It is suprising just how simple it is to build. I had read his web site, downloaded evry page and video as well. Studied the plans for numerous hours working out different dimensions (finding some that were missing), converting dimensions to metric.

All in all the build is going to be completed sooner than I expected although I still need to get my threaded rod and connector's .

Mick,

Is that formply you're using for the end supports/gantry?
Any particular reason for this instead of MDF?

You are very observent.

Yes it is formply. To cut a long story short I have been waiting 13 months for a concretor to complete a job he had promised. I got jack of waiting and his false promises so I purchased a sheet of formply and did it myself.

I then reuse the bits I can on the CNC, saves me having to cut up the second sheet of 18mm mdf .

Great to see you guys diving into the CNC world with a vengeance.

It doesn't have to be super rigid as you can see with my MDF router.
This was my first unit and I built her in 2005. It is still going, but does need some TLC to replace the top board which is sagging.

I used 18mm everywhere and the gantry is a closed box construction, which works well to keep the weight down and the rigidity up. Try not to make it too high as I find my can porpoise a little when it is cutting deep runs.

Keep posting and asking questions, lots of guys her love CNC and have great knowledge on ways to overcome issues

/Michael

I know melamine faced mdf board (colour board)is a lot more dense than raw mdf.
And they are more stable,stiff and rigid than row mdf.

Hi Guys

Well I visited the shed on the weekend and found that my table was no longer flat. It seems due to the extreme heat we have been having the table decided to sag in the middle by abount 6mm. I have devised a plan to reinforce it from the bottom to support the 2 18mm MDF sheets.

All going well I will do some more work on the gantry and Z axis on the weekend.