Comments sought on new build: A CNC Router for RC Gliders and Planes

[njhussey]

OK so the draught excluder is here now.



Will have a play with the epoxy sometime soon. Will level the angle that I'll be using to space the x axis rails out with a little like the pictures below. This will let me play with the epoxy and get used to mixing and pouring it and also give me a nice level surface to mount the carriages to.



The bridge between the two rails will be silicone sealant, all the foam will be stuck together and the MDF end boards will be no-nailed to the steel.



I'm seriously thinking of welding two steel 100x50x4 sections in an L shape and getting the machine up and running that way. I'll use epoxy on the steel to level the Y axis rails so they're level.

[EddyCurrent]

I hadn't realised your gantry was very similar design to mine, did you read the Kingcreaky build log ?.
If you use the 7mm hole in the wide tub (e.g. ice cream carton) idea for pouring it's very civilised and controllable, you won't have any problems.

[njhussey]

I hadn't realised your gantry was very similar design to mine, did you read the Kingcreaky build log ?.

Yes I remember reading Kingcreaky's build, I was just thinking that to get it going and to keep costs down I'd use what steel I have left (got to use it up somehow) and build the gantry out of that and level using epoxy as I'll have a bit left over from doing the x-axis rails. Then I'll either keep it as it is or...use the machine to cut parts for itself and build the proper gantry...

If you use the 7mm hole in the wide tub (e.g. ice cream carton) idea for pouring it's very civilised and controllable, you won't have any problems.

Definitely going to use that method, seems like a winner!

[JAZZCNC]

What Width is the machine to outsides of Steel.?

[Clive S]

Very apt The Avatar. ..Clive

[njhussey]

What Width is the machine to outsides of Steel.?

Its 850 to the outside of the x axis beams (100x50) I think, not got the laptop fired up so can't check.

[JAZZCNC]

Its 850 to the outside of the x axis beams (100x50) I think, not got the laptop fired up so can't check.

Ok well sorry don't think I can help then.! . . . I've got one of these spare in pieces but I'm sure it's only 800mm wide thou I will Dig parts out tomorrow and check.!

[njhussey]

Cheers for the offer Dean, I've just measured and it's 900mm wide to the outside of the end plates

I've just bought a load of (800) various size bzp metric socket cap head set screws, got a quote from the company that my firm uses and then did a Google and found these guys who seemed to be a good price...fasteners :: set screws socket allen key :: cap head metric bzp ::

[njhussey]

Cut up some of the 100x50x4 rectangular section steel to make a temporary gantry and just placed it on the x axis rails to check I cut it to the correct length!

Apologies for the blurred photo, took it on my phone...



Close up of the steel...fresh off the bandsaw so still got swarf and cutting coolant.



I'll hopefully weld up the two pieces tomorrow and drill the mounting holes for the 20mm carriages in the 200mm long bits. I'm thinking of bolting the L shaped gantry to the 200mm pieces and then once it's square I'll stitch weld them to keep them square. Going to epoxy the face of the gantry for the rails and also the bottom of the 200mm pieces so the carriages sit flush unless by some miracle the steel is perfectly flat...

Had a delivery of some cap head bolts last week, I know I'll need more and different sizes but this should get me going!

[EddyCurrent]

Any recommendations on 'best' place to get bolts ?