My acquisition.

[Tenson]

How much did you pay? ;)

Wish I had a decent vacuum bed!

[m.marino]

You might try rubbing compound on the rust and see how it does (small section,if possible not on the rails to start (cleaning the side of a rack would work). IF that removes the rust then you have a solution to the rust problem and hopefully can restore the rails. The carriages need to be inspected and if they have been exposed to the environment as much as the rails and not had a good grease packing first, most likely need replacing (or will in the near future).

Strongly suggest going to a more modern smaller vacuum pump or even going over to a venturi system as that can get you the pressure levels you are going to need. Also look at getting some MDF (19mm will work) as a working bed. The level of vacuum you need to run something like that will pull right through MDF. Does it come with zones on the bed for the vacuum? If not you will want to get gasket material and set up some zones to save on force and power.

Looks like you did good on the purchase from the struture. The drivers leave a bit of a question or two for me and finding out what type of stepper motors it is using will also let you know what realistic feed rates will be and if you need to be looking at moving to servo's or to the hybrid close loop steppers.

Good luck and well done hopefully everything can be brought up to full functioning quickly.

Michael

[m.marino]

How much did you pay? ;)

Wish I had a decent vacuum bed!

Building one is not that hard. Depends on access to materials. I am working on a design at present and using information I got from another cnc'er to build a small one that will support a small table (850 x 340 cutting area size) as well as jigs. Smaller parts require higher levels of vacuum due to a couple of different issues that one of the more math orientated members can most likely explain. Once I get it done will post the design.

Michael

[kingcreaky]

How much did you pay? ;)

paid £500 for the lot !! was a ball ache actually getting it though...

Those rails may potentially be a problem then... im unsure the rust will come off with anything short of sandpaper...

[Tenson]

How about a rush removing gel like you get for cars?

[Swarfing]

I would make a temporary tank up out of plastic sheet and use the electrolysis method, much safer and will look like new for all the parts. Defo stay away from the sand paper

[kingcreaky]

I would make a temporary tank up out of plastic sheet and use the electrolysis method, much safer and will look like new for all the parts. Defo stay away from the sand paper

now that sir is a fantastic idea... its been a while since I did this last!

So; youtube...

ok recommends american "Arm and Hammer" soda.... is there any british alternatives?

as the gantry is in the middle (so the cartridges are also in the middle) with rust either side. Il have to do the cartridges aswell? if I have to replace these its no biggies though i guess?

[Swarfing]

bog standard soda from tesco or where ever is what i use. for the long stuff use long rods for electrodes each side rather than short ones at the end as wel

[Tenson]

Electrolysis? Doesn't that need some high current power supplies and the right material for the anode and cathode? I'm not sure what cola has to do with it? Confused here!