Quote Originally Posted by wilfy View Post
While i agree that you are saying your machine works well as it is in mdf and does the job that you want it to do, I'm sure there is more reason behind everyone's arguments to use metal than just do it as that's the only way, fact is mdf bends a lot. Now the only downside I can see to this flex is that your pieces will run out by a certain amount, this is quite obviously within your tolerances so great for you. I think you may get even more play from your 8 x 4 machine but again if your happy with it then super.

I originally planned to use mdf for my machine but I wouldn't want to make it and it to have play in it, so I've decided on steel box section as I see this as the next step up from mdf/ply

Sheep :) you know , one bleats, and the others follow.

there are plenty of other sources of info and forums on the net, with many many working, and accurate, CNC machines made from wood or wood products. Quite a few cutting ally well too.

oh and - the fact is , steel bends a lot too ;) in fact, a lot more than you would imagine !

most of the ally builds on here, you will see them being beefed up /boxed / braced ..., and talk of too much flex and twist etc. etc. "oh , you need bigger/thicker sections/thicknes" ... and so on.

same goes for MDF. It can be made to not bend.

One of the longest standing moderators on the CNCZONE (Ger21 - he's on here too) has decided to build his new 8x4 machine from .... err ... oh yes ... MDF ! He knows his stuff .

There is nothing wrong with steel or Ally. Just don't dismiss MDF . or birch ply . or phenolic ply ..... bamboo ply !

Rich