Planning and getting things together

**kingcreaky** · 11-12-2013

Hi bob..

lets have some photos of this homemade powered hacksaw...

ive been meaning to make one for a while. Ive collected a few bits but like seeing all homemade tools...

matt

**JAZZCNC** · 13-12-2013

Well here's one for you.!! . . . . How about building vertical machine and save a load of space.? (Almost go thru Garage Side door then.!!). . Think Panel saw like you see at BQ etc.

My machines been working in a vertical position now for over a year and it works perfect and that's cutting aluminium. It's also in the worst vertical position because it's having to lift the whole gantry vertical not horizontal. (It's actually back on it's feet at the moment but that's for repair reasons.!!)

If I was building a 8x4 router just for wood then it would definitely be built vertical even if I had the room has it's so much easier to keep the workshop clean let alone the space saving and other benefits.
90% of the chips fall with gravity so land at the base of machine, this natural falling also helps increase cutter life and give better work finish has it's not re-cutting chips.
Because it's vertical it's very easy and simple to build an enclose around it using cheap 2XG doors and contain all the mess inside. (Think Large wardrobe with see thru doors.!)
Work handling and access to parts on bed is so much easier has now your stood directly in front to fasten or remove and not bent over struggling to reach.

Like I say plenty of positives and No real negatives.

Now what do you plan to use for Linear motion.? Ie: R&P or Ballscrews has this will play a part in how you design the machine.?

**EddyCurrent** · 16-12-2013

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

It's also in the worst vertical position because it's having to lift the whole gantry vertical not horizontal.

What if you put 2 wire ropes from the gantry over pulleys at the top attached to a counter weight at the back, I'm sure you must have considered this.

**JAZZCNC** · 16-12-2013

Originally Posted by EddyCurrent

What if you put 2 wire ropes from the gantry over pulleys at the top attached to a counter weight at the back, I'm sure you must have considered this.

No I haven't considered it really has it's not a problem and it works fine. Thats was the point in mentioning it because if it works ok in this orientation then it will work fine in the other and to be honest for this size machine it's non starter to have gantry run Vertical.!

Agree thou if space was limited and it had to be vertical then it would make sense to design a counter balance into the design from the start just to help the motor out a bit.

**bobhome** · 16-12-2013

Originally Posted by kingcreaky

homemade powered hacksaw...

Hi Matt, it's currently packed away, but once I can get some free time I will set it up and take some pictures or video.

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Well here's one for you.!! . . . . How about building vertical machine

Jazz, I've seen you mention this before. Is this your machine: Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjJ88n-ynx0

Going vertical, I'd imagine you would true the rails up horizontally and then fit the bed to the wall.
So, my first question would be how is it possible to keep the rails true when lifting it and fixing it to the wall?

**JAZZCNC** · 16-12-2013

Originally Posted by bobhome

Going vertical, I'd imagine you would true the rails up horizontally and then fit the bed to the wall.
So, my first question would be how is it possible to keep the rails true when lifting it and fixing it to the wall?

Yes that was it first proped against the wall.

Well in my case then the frame is Rock solid and rails setup on the same plane on the floor so when lifted it hardly moved. The bit it did was a simple case of adjusting with packers and plenty of test cuts to get it back true and setup permanently.

If Building from scratch and designed to be vertical then it would be completley differant and I'd probably build a sturdy Sub frame base that supports the Rails which can then be adjusted or shimmed onto the same plane. It's not really Rocket science just takes time and patience and this is why I'm always saying build has much adjustment into machines has possible because it greatly helps at DIY level.