Paralysis by analysis

[garyrmck]

Thanks Kit,

aluminum sizes would be no more than 100 x 600mm x 10mm thick.(generally parts for telescope mounts and accessories. EDIT, maybe I could get away with 100x450x10mm.......

2 machines would be nice but I don't have the funds for that, I was hoping that something lke a Workbee might fulfill both roles. I hoped that milling in a corner where I presume the router would be strongest, might be possible? If not, I'll have to re think things and decide on priorities.
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Are there any plans around for a small fixed gantry machine that could do the sizes I mentioned above? Perhaps I could build that and save for a larger wood machine?

cheers
Gary

Gary,
After reading this forum for a while and having experimented with wooden framed and now a steel framed router I can't help thinking that the most practical and the cheapest way to achieve what you want is to build two separate machines. Do you really need to cut 1m sq lumps of aluminium to .02mm accuracy? I assume not, but building a machine that can will cost you big time if that's what you need.

However, a small, fixed gantry machine that can cut smaller pieces of metal with that accuracy would be way simpler and cheaper as would a wood-only moving gantry machine with the bigger footprint.

The key piece of 'analysis' required to relieve your 'paralysis' is "What is the largest piece of aluminum I need to cut to the finest tolerance?"

Kit