MDF parts required.

**Jonathan** · 21-10-2013

MDF and unsupported rails. This isn't going to end well.

**JAZZCNC** · 21-10-2013

Originally Posted by Jonathan

MDF and unsupported rails. This isn't going to end well.

Been there said that, made an offer, feel on deaf ears, end of story...

**mZeles** · 24-10-2013

They will be supported by SHF16 rail support bolted with m5 bolts ant each end. Plus I am not intending only plastic wood and light metals such as aluminium and copper.

**Jonathan** · 24-10-2013

Originally Posted by mZeles

They will be supported by SHF16 rail support bolted with m5 bolts ant each end. Plus I am not intending only plastic wood and light metals such as aluminium and copper.

Supporting the ends affects how much they deflect in the middle a bit, but supporting them in the middle helps a lot more! In addition, it doesn't matter how well you support them to a weak (MDF) structure, they will still be weak as the rest of the structure will bend.

**EddyCurrent** · 24-10-2013

If you must use MDF then I would suggest something thicker than 18mm, something like 25mm birch plywood would be better I think. I can see the attraction that wood is easier to work with and I must say I looked at that myself, and if you look on Youtube for example, there are wooden machines that appear to be work quite well. The first thing that strikes me is that you want these parts cut out by cnc but it seems to me they could be cut out with a bandsaw and drilled with a bench drill. It leads me to believe therefore that you have no workshop facilities because if you did aluminium is easily cut on a decent bandsaw and easily drilled on a bench drill so why not go for that instead ?

**mZeles** · 25-10-2013

I wanted to use MDF as my first machine so that I can learn about the design and once I am not a newbie then I could use the knowledge gained from the this MDF machine to build a more permanent machine. Thus I am not intending on spending a lot as the machine will just be temporary.

And yes I have no workshop facilities I did try using hand tools but my accuracy was not good which caused alignment issues when trying to assemble the parts.

PS how do you support the rails at middle ?

**JAZZCNC** · 25-10-2013

Originally Posted by mZeles

I wanted to use MDF as my first machine so that I can learn about the design and once I am not a newbie then I could use the knowledge gained from the this MDF machine to build a more permanent machine. Thus I am not intending on spending a lot as the machine will just be temporary.

Biggest thing you'll learn from this route is how to waste money.!! . . . . . My advise is read every build thread and soak up information and while doing this save up your money and build from correct materials and components from the start.
By the time you have the money together you should have a very good idea of what's required to build a good machine.
The fact you have no workshop facilities makes things harder but not impossible just more expensive.

Originally Posted by mZeles

PS how do you support the rails at middle ?

Use Supported rails which are supported across there full length unlike the unsupported type like your intending which are only supported at each end.!!