Re: Making the frame square
Hi mate.
Build yourself a big square out of some wood, and clamp the ieces to it to ensure squareness. Make a few if its for a complex corner, then you know it is square before you tack.
Re: Making the frame square
Rob don't get obsessed with squareness of the frame because mostly it's not critical and just measureing across the diagonals will be enough. Whats VERY VERY important is that you don't set the frame in Twist.
Reason why frame squarness isn't critical (To some degree depending on design!!) is because it just holds the rails and the Gantry rides on the rails so you affectively set "Cutting" squareness with rail and gantry alignment not the frame. It's also why Twist is VERY bad because rails sit on the frame and Twist means they won't be on the same plane. This is why Epoxy levelling is good has it levels out any twist.
Re: Making the frame square
That's right measure the diagonals and to avoid my issue set up your 4 corner legs and get them all at the same height using a long spirit level before welding the joining bits between. Keep checking as you tack bits into place before final welding.
Re: Making the frame square
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EddyCurrent
That's right measure the diagonals and to avoid my issue set up your 4 corner legs
To save me or Us trawling thru your thread what was your issue eddy as I haven't really closely followed your build has you seem very capable.
Re: Making the frame square
One corner was 3mm lower than the other because I just started building from the garage floor assuming it was level.
Re: Making the frame square
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EddyCurrent
One corner was 3mm lower than the other because I just started building from the garage floor assuming it was level.
Ah I see so you effectively put it in twist. But ounce positioned the epoxy will have levelled this out for you won't it.
That's a good point for Rob and others thou because while it may be obvious to others not everybody thinks that you need to start building from a FLAT level surface. It often pays out to spend a little time making a platform to work from or spend the time setting the bench level.!
Re: Making the frame square
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JAZZCNC
Ah I see so you effectively put it in twist. But ounce positioned the epoxy will have levelled this out for you won't it.
Yes, the fact that my top beams were bolted to the frame meant I could shim them to near as damn it level, then the epoxy on top was the icing on the cake so to speak.
Re: Making the frame square
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EddyCurrent
Yes, the fact that my top beams were bolted to the frame meant I could shim them to near as damn it level, then the epoxy on top was the icing on the cake so to speak.
Good That's why I like the top rail adjustable, yes it needs to be done right and takes a bit of time but gives that flexabilty if or when needed. Said it so many times but I'll say it again it's that important I feel.!! . . . Adjustment is the KEY to successful DIY machine.!!
Re: Making the frame square
If the top rails hadn't warped through welding the 10mm thick steel plates for the bolts, I think I would have been able to shim it without the epoxy.
Re: Making the frame square
Quote:
Originally Posted by
EddyCurrent
If the top rails hadn't warped through welding the 10mm thick steel plates for the bolts, I think I would have been able to shim it without the epoxy.
Yes I agree and it was the thick plate and current required to weld it that caused warping.
I don't weld plates to the top rail I just insert thick plate on inside and tack to hold then bolt thru it. That's also why I use Epoxy putty to give a nice matting between top rail and mounting plate on frame along with setting rails on same plane.
Often I don't need to use epoxy but I do anyway has it forms a kind of register, the only thing you need to take care with is that the top rail doesn't lean but that's easy sorted with holding plates until it's set.
