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Thanks Rod,
Very informative and at least now I have some idea of the issues around motor size and drivers v power supplies. Everything is a trade off and bigger is not always better!:D
...

Hi Rod,
Another interesting machine in the pipe line it would seem!

I am still looking for time to spend on mine but will be on hols in a couple of weeks so may get some time.

I would like...

Hi Michael,
Very nice Z Axsis Michael!!

Cheers
Steve:2tsup:

Thanks Rod,
I just thought it may save me some work in truing every thing. Of course I still need to check the table to Y Axsis but it should be quicker.


Cheers
Steve:D

Hi all,
I have a little progress to report, I received cable chains from China a couple of days ago and so more incentive to push on. Trouble is as I am sure most of you will know there are...

Hi,
I am part way through my first build and I have used welded 50 x 50 SHS for the frame. Welding will always cause some deformation and this means the fabricator must allow for this in the...

Greg,
There is one thing this forum is never short of is inspiration. They are truely fabulous, as Willy says I am lost for words.:2tsup:

Cheers
Steve:U

Thanks Sean,
The process is now as clear as mud:D Now i see tha the Z axis can be very light and this will aid in high speed very clever!:2tsup:
I t is actually very simple I am...

Sean / Rod,
I now understand your design concerns with my suggestion, so if the tube is fixed in horizontal plane how is the beam directed at the ever moving mirror / colminator on Z axis?
...

Hi WillyinBris,
Just a thought but mirrors and lasers and alignment all sounds very complex, would it be possible to mount the laser to the Z axis vertically on a gantry which is fixed....

Hi All,
Just a quick post to say I have not been able to even look at the site the last little while as work, and yard work read drainage has been the priority.

I will have something to...

Hi Rod and all,
Just a quick post to let you all know I am still working on the machine. I have been interstate working since my last post and back to hospital to have a rod and screws removed...

Hi Rod,
A little slow I am afraid as we purchased a new secondhand car and I have had to do some work on this mechanical machine so time and money have been a little limited.

Also waiting on...

Hi Rod,
Thanks for the prompt reply, your right not enough info but I will measure all those items tonight. As far as the spindle goes I am using a Bosh GMR-1 Trimmer as the spindle at this...

Guys,
I am about to start on the Z axsis and I would like to know if people think 100mm is wide enough for the Z axsis.

I hope it is as otherwise I need to start casing aluminium plate which...

This event is looking really good and I am hoping to be able to attend. Can you give me an idea of local accommodation and costs as I would like to fligh in Friday night or Saturday morning and stay...

Hi Rod and others,
Just remember an RCD is only as good as the earth it is connected to so you must check the earth if you are using a three pin plug and lead to a power point from the RCD.
...

Hi Alan,
I have a small hand made press for this work but you can use a vice with soft vice jaws, either copper or aluminium.

I have also used a sacafical female conector to protect the male...

Hi Geoff,
Another option is Jaycar with this 6 core alarm cable WB1598 @ $1.15 per metre or $32.95 for 30 metres WB1596. The specs are 7 strands of 0.2 per core. They do have 4 core but it is...

Daniel,
Can you post a photo of the lock inside and out or send me a PM with the photos attached. I have some enclosure locks here from jobs I done over the past few years so one I have may fit...

Daniel,
What type of key for the enclosure do you require?
Cheers
Steve

Hi Ed,
Sorry to hear about all your gear and the shed, I am not sure what I can do to help except offer moral support as the other members have done.

I think Ed's posts about his fire are a...

Hi Daniel and Rod,

I agree with Daniel on this one more posts about builds especially from senior members is what makes this forum what it is, the best!

Rod go for it and keep us posted.:2tsup:...

Here you go an update on my new machine, I have been working on the gantry.:2tsup:


Cheers
Steve

Thanks Greg,:2tsup:
I have been reading that document prior to running anything connected to the control PC. I am still playing with Mach3 standalone and becoming familiar with it before...

Just finished building 2 PC's, upgraded the the wife's PC and used the old bits for my CNC machine. All loaded now ready for testing the control gear after I read some of the Mach3 manual.

Are...

Hi all,
I received my motors and control gear today from Probotix and I was a little worried to see the back plane in the control box had broken in transit. I think I need to try the control...

Hi Guys,
Just found this on Ebay while looking for lead screw bearings and blocks.

Spindle and VFD in AUD...

Hi Toby,
Welcome to the forum, as a newbie myself I can tell you you are in the right place to get good advice and see some high quality builds.

I am just starting mine after changing my...

I am pretty sure Russell has got it in one!

Notice I have not used any words to describe or incriminate myself, like the US administration you have to have TOTAL DE-NIGH ABILITY.

Just kidding,...

Hi Chris,
I am not a machining expert by any means but from my trade training days I do remember part finish is a product of tool shape and cutting edge finish on the tool and feed rates and cutting...

Hi All,
Progress at last, I have a table frame ready to paint and mount guides to.

See photos for details.:2tsup:


Cheers
Steve:D

Hi Chris,
Their site only show 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6MT taper centers, also specs for the AL-54B shows Head stock as 4MT and tail stock as 3MT.

Cheers
Steve

Hi Chris,
It is new from a fabricator the one I posted in thread. Their name is Rapid Fab and they are on the Gold Coast, check out my thread for the web site. 100 x 12 x 3000mm cost me $116...

I received my aluminium today 100 x 12 x 3000 for sides to mount the bearings on and for the cross brace for the center mounted Acme Lead Screw. Could also use for the Z axis mounts I suppose.
...

Hi Chris,
The dirt will come off and you will have a useful piece of plate, all you have to do is cut it.

I received my aluminium today as well 100 x 12 x 3000 for sides to mount the...

Thanks Greg,
I will keep your words of wisdom in mind as I build my machine.

Still waiting on
Acme rods and CNC electronics and motors but hopefully this week:?

I have not been idle though I...

Rod,
Great movie after all your trials and tribulations it's great to see the beast dance like a graceful dancer.

Cheers
Steve:2tsup:

Hi Rod,
With the noise on the limits cables you could try a simple ferrite ring on each cable as close to the control PCB as possible. These are a simple circular ferrite which you pass the...

Rod,
How far are trying to run the USB?

USB has a fairly short cable length spec of 2 metres due to the high data rate.
Keep the cable seperated from any AC cables as they cause induced EMF's...

Thanks Rod & Chris,
That's what I thought you would say Rod but it does add to design problem.

Never mind I just need to think on it a bit and I will have a solution that allows the rails...

Hi All,
I have attached a sketch (bit crappy Paint file) of a thought I have for the X rails mounting. I propose a side mounting is that ok for open trucks or should I have them vertical? :?...

That's it Chris you have to do it yourself or put up with crap workmanship of others.

I nearly bought a band saw today but it is stretching the budget so I will have to wait until my side business...

Thanks Greg,
I take your point, I have decided to go with 150 x 50 x 3 RHS @ 6.4kg per metre my 600mm gantry should not weigh to much.

I have received the T Section aluminium for the...

Hi All,
Further to my info on toroidal transformers I have found a source of Mean Well switch mode power supplies in 48VDC @ 320W 6.6Amp for $99.00AU SP-320-48 or 48VDC @ 350W 7.2Amp for $61.90...

Gary,
Try silicon spray a little coating should be all that is required, non sticky so the dust should not stick. We use it on garage door chains and pipe supports as a lub.

Cheers:U
Steve

Off too the post office to pick up the T rail for the bed now.

Would also like to know if anyone has used aluminium RHS say 2 x 60 x 60 sections welded together with welded plate ends instead 120...

Hi Gary,
Others will no doubt comment on this question with more experience than me but for my 2 cents worth and I have used air die grinders for porting heads etc. I don't think they are...

Hi Geoff,
unfortunately they drop from 40-40V to 25-25V so no 35-35V off the shelf.

Sorry
Steve

Thanks for the response Chris, so are you happy with stand rack and pinion or is roller pinion that much better. Excuse my ignorance but us newbies need to ask all these questions!

Cheers
Steve