OpenBuilds Style Build

[WoodKnot]

Thanks Jazz

I did not expect any positive comments.

Yes, I am making mistakes. No, i don't want to learn how to use CAD and just wanted a basic machine to create some simple signs.

Even the most basic things are now causing me issues! The machine screws for fixing the rails to the profiles!

They appear to be M6 through the exit hole but will not take an M6 head.

The M5 head is a reasonable fit but there is a bit of play at the exit hole. I have also measured the protrusion on the 16mm screws and these appear to be just biting into the aluminium profile when tightened down.

To be fair, I did not want all these issues and should have stuck to the kit form styles of others and had done with it.

Again, I am not a damn engineer, I am a hobby woodworker that wanted to make some simple signs and now I need to be an engineer creating full CAD drawings of things i don't want to make!

I can buy Blue OX plates from the US if i had stayed to the standard design!

I feel that this whole process has been nothing more than a huge mistake and have wasted my time and money, as nothing will ever be good enough nor will i ever do it the right way.

So, with a feeling of ever increasing disdain whilst remaining polite -

WoodKnot

[mekanik]

Regarding the socket cap screws for your rails i think you will find that these are 5mm, the clearance in the hole is to allow you to adjust the rail to get it straight. i was going to reply yesterday to your post but without any design drawing to eyeball there was no input i could give.
Don't give up.
Regards
Mike

[WoodKnot]

Regarding the socket cap screws for your rails i think you will find that these are 5mm, the clearance in the hole is to allow you to adjust the rail to get it straight. i was going to reply yesterday to your post but without any design drawing to eyeball there was no input i could give.
Don't give up.
Regards
Mike

Thanks Mike

Appreciate that - I thought on top of everything else - something as basic as that - i was just getting frustrated!

Do they have to be socket cap?

There are that many different profiles of 'machine screws' i thought as long as they are stainless steel.

I have bought quite a few different types - but guess what, not socket cap.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a really good website for these kind of parts -

Buying off Amazon Prime for 20 screws per time starts to work out expensive, especially when i need about 128 just to fix the rails on

Thanks again

WoodKnot

[mekanik]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184437108...Cclp%3A2334524
I would prefer the steel screws, you can get plastic plugs to seal the countersink in the rail but check on the engineering drawing for your profile rails to see how deep the countersink is.

[WoodKnot]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184437108...Cclp%3A2334524
I would prefer the steel screws, you can get plastic plugs to seal the countersink in the rail but check on the engineering drawing for your profile rails to see how deep the countersink is.

Ha - now there's the joke!!

There is no engineering drawing for the profile of the linear rails, I had to use a digital calliper.

I did check on the sellers website - i could have checked and used others, but thought that i could not guarantee that the profile is exactly the same

There is a technical drawing for the aluminium extrusion though.

Thanks for the links

WoodKnot

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks Jazz

I did not expect any positive comments.

Yes, I am making mistakes. No, i don't want to learn how to use CAD and just wanted a basic machine to create some simple signs.

Ok first off I wasn't having a pop at you or trying to discourage you with negative comments. Most of what I said was and nearly always is said for the sake of others who are thinking to build and reading this. It saddens me that I have to do this and use you as an example of "How not to do it" and I know with 100% certainty, because been here many times before, that if you had done more research and made at least minimal drawings this wouldn't have happened.

Regards learning CAD then how do you think you are going to create parts to cut without even basic CAD.?

Even the most basic things are now causing me issues! The machine screws for fixing the rails to the profiles!

They appear to be M6 through the exit hole but will not take an M6 head.

The M5 head is a reasonable fit but there is a bit of play at the exit hole. I have also measured the protrusion on the 16mm screws and these appear to be just biting into the aluminium profile when tightened down.

To be fair, I did not want all these issues and should have stuck to the kit form styles of others and had done with it.

These things would have happened on those kits as well, they just don't tell you these trivial details.

I feel that this whole process has been nothing more than a huge mistake and have wasted my time and money, as nothing will ever be good enough nor will i ever do it the right way.

So, with a feeling of ever increasing disdain whilst remaining polite -

Ok well nobody's giving up on my watch.! . . .So if we can't make a stubborn bugger listen then I will just have to help him get it sorted out and working..

You probably won't need to scrap the ball screws and I'm sure we can make something to extended them if your only 40mm short, you may lose 40mm travel but won't cost you anything.

However, before we or I can help you further will need to give me a detailed list of what you have and the length and dimensions. Either post it here or drop me an email and I'll help you get this together. YOU ARE NOT GIVING UP..

[WoodKnot]

Ok first off I wasn't having a pop at you or trying to discourage you with negative comments. Most of what I said was and nearly always is said for the sake of others who are thinking to build and reading this. It saddens me that I have to do this and use you as an example of "How not to do it" and I know with 100% certainty, because been here many times before, that if you had done more research and made at least minimal drawings this wouldn't have ha
Regards learning CAD then how do you think you are going to create parts to cut without even basic CAD.?

Who said anything about making parts Jazz - Just pretty little signs!!! Things that sell at craft fairs and the like - if i decide to go down that route?

Ok well nobody's giving up on my watch.! . . .So if we can't make a stubborn bugger listen then I will just have to help him get it sorted out and working..

Yeah - thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we are both clearly in the same but opposite camp there

You probably won't need to scrap the ball screws and I'm sure we can make something to extended them if your only 40mm short, you may lose 40mm travel but won't cost you anything.

OK, open to suggestions - i did have an idea!! an outer plate and an inner plate - how the bloody hell i was going to make them though?

However, before we or I can help you further will need to give me a detailed list of what you have and the length and dimensions. Either post it here or drop me an email and I'll help you get this together. YOU ARE NOT GIVING UP..

All my extrusions are exactly 1000mm

All my linear rails are exactly 1000mm

All my ball screws are exactly 1000mm

You kind of see my problem - i can understand how the 'linear and ball screw kit worked - but it was never for my profile of extrusions!!

To be fair (as I like to say!) why would i not assume that the ball screws would be longer, they are when you buy them separately

Oh, just to make you smile, laugh or cry? Why did no one tell me that if you take the nut off the ball screw, that all the bearings fall out! What a crap design

WoodKnot

[Fivetide]

All my extrusions are exactly 1000mm

All my linear rails are exactly 1000mm

All my ball screws are exactly 1000mm

You kind of see my problem -

WoodKnot

I do see the problem

A. you can't attach the stepper coupling
B. It wont reach each bearing also :(

[JAZZCNC]

Who said anything about making parts Jazz - Just pretty little signs!!! Things that sell at craft fairs and the like - if i decide to go down that route?

Parts, pretty little Signs, or great big honking signs, call them whatever you like they all have to start with lines and arc's so you can generate the G-code in CAM. How do you think you are going to generate the files for cutting if you are not going to use Cad or some Vector drawing software, which is basically a kind of Cad.?

[WoodKnot]

Parts, pretty little Signs, or great big honking signs, call them whatever you like they all have to start with lines and arc's so you can generate the G-code in CAM. How do you think you are going to generate the files for cutting if you are not going to use Cad or some Vector drawing software, which is basically a kind of Cad.?

I know I keep saying it, but Easel is like many programmes I use, you drag and drop image's, choose cutters and routing depths, it generates all the codes and outputs it to the CNC.

Can someone do me a favour and have a look at it?

It's free for a month, has some restrictions, but still very usable

It's very intuitive I think and easy to use.

WoodKnot