1st Build, Steel, Epoxy 24"x24" for Wood

**wallyblackburn** · 12-10-2017

Well, I have it about ready to pour epoxy:

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Can't figure out why my pics are upside down now...

**Nr1madman** · 11-10-2017

I used reactive resins slow kit. Don't remember the exact specs for it but it worked real good :)
It was about half the price of West 105/209 and it shipped to Sweden without hassle!

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**Nr1madman** · 19-10-2017

Wow.. fast progress! I had my moat on for 8-10 days for guaranteed cure..
But you didn't have the super slow stuff?

I used reactive resins and had about 4-5mm meniscus.

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**wallyblackburn** · 19-10-2017

Or maybe I just rushed it :(

It seems super hard though. I used the slow - not extra slow. Sounds like the meniscus on mine was about right then. Still amazes me how this works. I could not get the frame level in all directions due to an apparent twist. But no matter which way I put this level, all I see is:

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Granted, that is just a (high quality) carpenter's level, but still pretty cool.

Thanks,
Wally

**Nr1madman** · 19-10-2017

Yeah I know :D
I was amazed with the glassmooth level surface..
Awsome stuff for DIY applications.
I was a bit stupid as I built my moat out of masonite and the epoxy merged with it. Proper hell to clean :)
Did the tape you used come of easy?

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**wallyblackburn** · 19-10-2017

No, it was also proper hell also! I'll use packing tape backwards next time as Clive and others suggest...

**driftspin** · 28-10-2017

Originally Posted by wallyblackburn

No, it was also proper hell also! I'll use packing tape backwards next time as Clive and others suggest...

I was not aware of this requirement.

Never had thought of this simple solution myself.

I will use cheap packing tape for my pour.

thx guys.

Grtz Bert.

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**wallyblackburn** · 01-11-2017

Got the rails and ballscrews for Y-Axis from Fred at BST. Got epoxy cleaned up and mounted first rail. Tried to rough-align second rail using some equal length bars between them and could not get them lined up. Took one off and put it on my surface plate. Nice and flat on top and bottom, but crooked as a politician in the horizontal plane. Getting 12 thou out towards ends.

Thinking this is to be expected when you pay $282US for 2 rails, 4 trucks, and 2 ballscrew assemblies. Anyway, guessing some others have dealt with this? What did you do?

I'm thinking of tightening down in middle, and then working my way out trying to pull the rail to a straightedge and cinch it down. Maybe make a saddle kind of jig that will give me a screw to adjust the rail before tightening it down. Sounds dodgy.

Thoughts?
Wallace

**mekanik** · 01-11-2017

Hi Wally
Nice work with the pour, i explained this a while back but have not been able to find the thread it was on, but you are correct, fix the centre of the rail first then work your way outwards setting your rail to your straight edge, clamping the rail, drilling and tapping and then securing as you go.
Regards
Mike

**wallyblackburn** · 01-11-2017

Allow me to retract at least most of my last entry and apologize to our Asian friends. Oh...and admit to being a dope that goes off half-cocked...

I was looking at the edge along the base near the mounting surface - which is not really a reference surface, I don't believe. In checking the side of the rail where the balls ride, I get less than a thou over any 6-8 inches. At this point, I am just going to start on the gantry mounting and check it at different points as I go.

Regards,
Wallace