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

[Nr1madman]

Awsome work!
I'm also thinking about going vertical with my router (thanks to Dean :) )

What do you guys think about parking the gantry up top and securing it with a clamp/bracket? Would suit my space much better ;)

[njhussey]

Solved bumping my head on the gantry.....

[njhussey]

A few ramblings about my router filmed today after sorting out the spindle cooling before I could cut some rc plane kits....sorry for the rambling and shakey phone camera work....
https://youtu.be/SPHnN4j7LV8

[njhussey]

Just like to say after using the router vertically for a few weeks that it's the best thing I've done to the machine, it's so much easier working on it....no bending over the rails to load work, no twisting to get at the collet to change the bits. If the bits are smaller than the collet then you don't have to hold them in whilst tightening...the bits fall out of the work so you're not re-cutting them.....only seeing positives at the moment

List of things to do next is...:

1. Home & Limit switches!!!!!!!
2. Dust/chip extraction (was cutting 12mm MDF letters and it goes everywhere!!!) is a must!!!
3. Enclosure round the machine to stop dust/chips.
4. Cooling Fans/filters in the control panel
5. Cooling radiators for the coolant
6. Finish off the control panel wiring.

[Clive S]

Neil I don't know how you can work without homing switches the rest of it is fair game Ah you missed off 7. counter weight!

[njhussey]

Neil I don't know how you can work without homing switches

Clive.....very carefully

the rest of it is fair game Ah you missed off 7. counter weight!

I stopped at number 6 as I was finding more and more to do.....6 is enough for now

[Davek0974]

2. Dust/chip extraction (was cutting 12mm MDF letters and it goes everywhere!!!) is a must!!!

Hi Neil, sounding really good, BUT, please please please do not cut MDF or exotic woods without a good amount of extraction and/or a damn good breathing mask ( I am only assuming you don't wear a mask of course )

My reason for butting in here is that my father died a few years back following a long painful lung condition brought on by his love of making things out of MDF and exotic woodturning in the shed. He did have the dust extract that had bags on it but he still came out sometimes looking like a snowman!

Wood dust is nasty stuff.

It made me change my views on carefree metalwork as well, I spent a lot on serious extract for the plasma table, i've stopped powder-coating now, I have stopped turning cast iron on the lathe due to the dust and so on, it focuses the mind a bit.....

Dave

[njhussey]

Hi Neil, sounding really good, BUT, please please please do not cut MDF or exotic woods without a good amount of extraction and/or a damn good breathing mask ( I am only assuming you don't wear a mask of course )

My reason for butting in here is that my father died a few years back following a long painful lung condition brought on by his love of making things out of MDF and exotic woodturning in the shed. He did have the dust extract that had bags on it but he still came out sometimes looking like a snowman!

Wood dust is nasty stuff.

It made me change my views on carefree metalwork as well, I spent a lot on serious extract for the plasma table, i've stopped powder-coating now, I have stopped turning cast iron on the lathe due to the dust and so on, it focuses the mind a bit.....

Dave

Hi Dave, I wear one of those twin filter painting breathing masks as I know MDF dust is very nasty stuff (I'm sure balsa dust is equally nasty)....look a knob but saves the lungs! I'm building an enclosure round the machine and there will be an extraction system (6" tube and for the enclosure which will also be for the lathe, welder and milling machines which will vent outside. The dust shoe will be connected to a vacuum cleaner (Nifilsk 30T vacuum) via a DIY cyclone dustbin.....

[Davek0974]

Excellent, I use one of those masks when doing a lot of grinding or finishing etc, keeps the black snot under control :)

[njhussey]

Got fed up with the end cross supports....cut through one and dims between beams didnt change....will use external bolted braces....just gained some extra length on my machine 😁