Epoxy granite or mineral casting

**John McNamara** · 19-09-2013

Hi All

This is my first post at MYCNCUK

This is an old thread but I hope the information helps, I have made a machine using Epoxy. It has a cast base and also two cast carriage ends. And these have a low friction cast in bearing surface on round shaft.

The machine is loosely based on the Worden grinder, however no sheet metal is used. It is very solid I can just lift it. There is very
little vibration.

As far as the epoxy mix is concerned I just used fine screened quartz gravel from a garden supply and washed sand. And Yes I used a little steel reinforcement. It is not hard to do and you do not have to use advanced calculus and have a chemistry degree to get a good result. Most resin suppliers are familiar with casting with epoxy aggregates.

I apologise for just posting a link here but I did the write up about two years ago here: New technology in Model Engineers Workshop | Model Engineer

It is a fairly lengthy post. there are many photos.

The machine has been in constant use ever since, I use it to grind lathe tools, the finish is almost mirror with a diamond wheel. No chatter.

Since then I made a CNC router with a mate for a community project A "Mens Shed" Located at Bright Central Victoria Australia.
Most of it is laser cut 5mm steel.

If anyone is interested it can be found here:
Laser Cut Frame CNC Router New build

Next up is a new router for me this time. I will post directly when I start it. It will also be based on laser cut parts.

Regards
John

**JAZZCNC** · 19-09-2013

Originally Posted by John McNamara

Hi All

This is my first post at MYCNCUK

Thanks John and Glad you did.

. . I will probably be in touch picking your experience has I've got some ideas to use epoxy granite but not just yet. It will be quite a bit larger than your Worden thou.!!

**compositepro** · 19-09-2013

John

I figured out this stuff a while ago, kind of had to, anything to do with composites has always been a bit of, ask the people who say they can how they do it,when they tell you it will cost lots and they will half heartedly supply you with information or a product that only they say they can make

most of the time its easier to tell them to p*** of and do it yourself

Nice to see someone who is trying to teach the old dogs new tricks over there ...

im pretty sure eventually making machines out of metal will be raplaced by gluing them together

**JAZZCNC** · 19-09-2013

Originally Posted by compositepro

I figured out this stuff a while ago, kind of had to, anything to do with composites

So why not share with us then.!!. . . . . Start by telling me some where local that's cheap for Epoxy.??

**compositepro** · 19-09-2013

Epoxy isn't cheap here like everything here you pay thru the nose,
Theres a firm called fibreglass supplies in leeds and im not sure if Scot bader are in leeds anymore

Locally your pretty SOL as far as the structural systems go

Huntsman do aradur ...get your wallet out though I use SP systems on the isle of wight i used to buy 25 litres at a time for about 230 quid, it goes a lot further than you think it does