Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
The rods are 12mm dia. I have lightly clamped the Kress to the head and it runs around nice and smoothly. I checked the central deflection on the rods and there is a "no cutting load" movement of 0,03 mm. For what I am doing I think it may stand a chance of being OK.
Will post again once cutting is possible.
Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
Yes, unsupported rails will inevitably have a certain amount of deflection. If the engraving you are doing is rough enough to match those tolerances, it should be fine. Light cuts also reduce further deflection when the engraving bit will meet the workpiece.
If you have access to a decent lathe, you could craft yourself a spindle out of a brushless motor for engraving purposes.
Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
The parts I want to make are for steam engine name plates. So no real tolerance problems. Although it will be interesting to see what it can hold. I will be working on plate sizes no more than 75x75 and will locate workpiece origin close to machine origin. This will also minimise the deflection
A brushless motor setup came with the machine. But although high speed it is not very robust. I never used it. Similarly it has a fairly professional looking vinyl cutting head also never used.
Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
Probably a regular punch set would have been much easier for simple name plates :)
Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
Unfortunately they are anything but simple. Some have 3D coat of arms and fancy foliate lettering.
Reproducing the original cast iron plates.
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Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
Re: Step 4 Router and Brass
Going for emboss will mean a lot of material removal, in contrast to engraving the letter path only. Also, the whole area removed will show the endmill paths, it is a natural aspect of milled surfaces.
The plate you showed is more suitable to casting, rather then milling. On the opposite side, if the surface was flat and the letter sunk into it, it was more suitable to engraving.