Thread: New Machine - Work in Progress

Hi Bob,
I have enough to do building machines so I can't see a lot of this type of work happening from my shed. I must admit I am inspired by your lithos but haven't had a go at them yet.

Big Shed,
While it looks difficult it is a very easy job to do - mostly standing and watching. I see you posting in the metalworking lathes, etc so be careful as that is how I started. Bought a lathe and mill and have been building CNC machines since.

The spindle arrived- wahoooooo
I have mounted it which required modification of the Z axis but no real problem with that.
Have refitted the video camera and it really looks the part.
I am happy with the balance and tested the max RPM at 10,000 so their claim is correct. We have a MT1 collet chuch mounted in it and a set of collets ready to do. It runs a variable speed 90 volt dc brush motor.
Getting a bit late to try it out doing a job but it sure is quiet compared to a die grinder or router. Maybe a video tomorrow night so you can appreciate how quiet it runs.
A few photos to show it finally in place.

It certainly looks the part now nice looking spindle

Rod, that spindle looks pretty impressive. Great job on the cutting board too!

Hey Rod,

Where is the video? Like it was the fourteenth so you have had more than enough time

Still waiting for xylotex here!

Hi Bob,
My excuse is that I am preparing jobs for the Melbourne meet.
I have done seven jobs so far and will be doing an inlay tonight. I hope it works.
I am trying to get a lot of different jobs done to show the features of Vcarve and at the same time using this machine where I can. So far I can't fault it and the Sherline spindle is holding up well.
See you on Saturday.
We are going to be a bit more brain dead than normal as we leave at 12:30 pm so no sleep for us.

Ouch!!!

12:30pm, what a drag

When you can, get us a video it is good if you can't fault it so far though

You have a bit to answer for too, you are one of the reasons I got so involved with the CNC thing It will be good to be able to chin wag and soak up all the Vectric type info that you will have for us

Originally Posted by rodm

Hi Greg,
I would highly recommend these to anyone with steppers. It was one of those purchases where you think that looks interesting and buy it. They cost me $6.00 US each plus shipping so very cheap for the benefit they give. The buyer I got them from is on my favourites and this was the first time in a couple of years he has listed these and I got the ones he advertised. I'll send you his link off line.
I have attached a photo of a set in each elevation so you can get a better perspective of them. They are 44mm in diameter and quite heavy for their size. I have seen the home made rattler style on CNCZone with tubes and rods and also the rubber and steel washer design by Zylotex but these are silent.
Number on the casing are Vexta Clean Damper, Model D6CL-6.3.

Hey All.. new here. I've been searching high and low for these dampers. Best price I've found is $72 EACH... ouch!! Would you send me some info on where I might obtain some with a little less pain!!

Cheers
Brad.

Hi Brad,
Welcome on the forum.
I have already bought all the dampeners from the seller and spread them around so sorry none left from that source.
I did look up the price of these and was a surprised as you are.
Only thing I can suggest is to keep looking every week on ebay or maybe investigate making your own.
By the way we all got similar results with a 5 fold increase in RPM's.
Good luck.

cheers,
Rod

Thanks for the welcome Rod. I had a feeling that might have all sold but figured I'd ask anyway. I've been watching ebay and Google searching. I might luck out..hopefully.

Cheers
Brad.

We have decided to go all the way with this machine and will add all the fruit as time goes on. Next week there will be some major works done to the electrics and energy chains will be installed to carry all the wires.

I have not been idle and apart from preparing all the demos for the Melbourne meet, including some done on this machine, I have been working on a console. I have overcome a major hurdle getting something to input all the signals from the console to the computer. My solution was to pull apart a keyboard and use the keyboard module then map the combinations to find each key.

The advantage here is that most operations in Mach3 operate with a shortcut key (eg AltZ, etc) and I needed to find a way to create AltZ using a single mechanical button.

After much googling I found that keyboards work on a matrix and the keyboard underlays give you the combination of this matrix. It took me two nights to follow and record the matrix and then a couple of nights to solder wires to the tabs on the board and make a module suitable to hook wires into. I hope that makes sense.

Anyway see the photo and it might help. More of this to come as the LCD monitor, computer and MPG's are mounted in a console.

Rod,
Great machine and great spindle! Is it rude to ask how much the spindle cost? What do you see as the advantages of a spindle over say a die grinder?

I really appreciated your talk at the Melbourne CNC BBQ ... came home and purchased the VCarve and Photo Carve package. Just learning how to use them before trying the designs out on my Widgetmaster Midi that is being shipped from the USA.

Regards,

Alan

Hi Alan,
The Widgitmaster is a great little machine and sized perfect for your box work.

The advantage of the Sherline spindle is its runs a lot quieter than a die grinder/ router. I would not recommend it to you for wood as it only has a top speed of 10,000 rpm and for small cutters in wood this is on the slow side.

The complete unit was $640 so it isn't cheap either.

HI Rod new console , the ideas just keep coming