Good or bad idea? Concreate!

[craigrobbo]

Thanks for that, some good read, especially in that 2nd link!

Gravel & sand - I think i'll give this one a shot, certainly makes more seance!

Craig

[JAZZCNC]

Not sure which bits your meaning on 3040 to fill but I've got the slightly smaller 3020 here and the only part of the machine that could be filled is the bed extrusion.!

No way will you get concrete or Epoxy granite down the small extrusion holes due to the aggregate size, Epoxy alone won't had much resonance dampening or weight.

The thing you could and I would do is cap seal the extrusion at one end then pour kiln dryed sand into then cap and seal the other end. This way you can empty the extrusion if need be for moving about.!! . . . Far better and really simple has the extrusion end is pre drilled ready for tapping for bolts to hold the caps.
Sand is a brilliant resonance dampener and heavy.!!

[craigrobbo]

Not sure which bits your meaning on 3040 to fill but I've got the slightly smaller 3020 here and the only part of the machine that could be filled is the bed extrusion.!

No way will you get concrete or Epoxy granite down the small extrusion holes due to the aggregate size, Epoxy alone won't had much resonance dampening or weight.

The thing you could and I would do is cap seal the extrusion at one end then pour kiln dryed sand into then cap and seal the other end. This way you can empty the extrusion if need be for moving about.!! . . . Far better and really simple has the extrusion end is pre drilled ready for tapping for bolts to hold the caps.
Sand is a brilliant resonance dampener and heavy.!!

Yes, the bed extrusions.

If aggregate is too large, how about epoxy & sand?

[Jonathan]

Yes, the bed extrusions.

If aggregate is too large, how about epoxy & sand?

Epoxy and sand is a valid combination. The advantage of course with using epoxy over just sand is you will add strength. It's going to need to be very thin to go through the extrusion, bubbles/voids could be a problem.

The other question is, is it worth spending lots of money on epoxy on such a cheap machine. I think you would be better off upgrading other parts of the machine. Sand on it's own is basically free so you might as well try it.

[craigrobbo]

Good point, Epoxy resin seems quite pricey these days.

Maybe sand & capping would be the better option for now.

Craig

[JAZZCNC]

Ok just looked closely at the machine and suggest you forget the idea.?? I reckon the 3040 will use the same bed profile has this machine so should apply.!

The profile doesn't have any hollow section only the slots (see pic) so the only way to do it would be to remove the bed and fill the underside slots with Epoxy/sand etc and to me the slight bennifit offerd in strength and resonance dampening wouldn't justify the cost or the hassle.!
Plus when you have cut into the bed a few times (Which will happen) you won't be able to turn over and use other side of extrusion.!!

Edit: Ignore the threaded rod thru the extrusion that won't be there on your machine.!

[craigrobbo]

That makes a lot of seance now, Thanks for clearing that up!

Maybe in time i will look at a different bed, but for now i'll just stick to stock.