Thor, or should that be Zeus?

**Clive S** · 27-12-2016

Tom I am not sure you are understanding this way of moulding concrete as it is done with superplasticiser which makes a very fluid mix and MUST NOT be vibrated as it will settle the aggregate to the bottom. The way it works is that it separates all the individual fines and stones in suspension for about half an hour then they come back together for the set.
This explains it better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ySyaKb2_b0 and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICp4...w#t=107.971789

**Tom J** · 27-12-2016

Originally Posted by Clive S

Tom I am not sure you are understanding this way of moulding concrete as it is done with superplasticiser which makes a very fluid mix and MUST NOT be vibrated as it will settle the aggregate to the bottom. The way it works is that it separates all the individual fines and stones in suspension for about half an hour then they come back together for the set.
This explains it better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ySyaKb2_b0

ok, I was referring to cement mix with coarse sand. Got your point guys

**Clive S** · 27-12-2016

Originally Posted by Tom J

ok, I was referring to cement mix with coarse sand. Got your point guys

This works the same with say 22x15 aggregate but they grade it down using smaller and smaller aggregate down to ash.
I am looking at building a concrete mill with Dean's help using this method. We shall see.

**Tom J** · 27-12-2016

Originally Posted by Clive S

This works the same with say 22x15 aggregate but they grade it down using smaller and smaller aggregate down to ash.
I am looking at building a concrete mill with Dean's help using this method. We shall see.

its good for heavy work like milling in steel where damping vibration is important. Technically should be easier to build, considering your planes are smooth, even, leveled, squared etc.
All mounting surfaced for rails, bearings etc can be prepared - machined and than fix to the mold by precise adjustment before mix is filled in. That is how I would do and will in one day.

**Clive S** · 27-12-2016

All mounting surfaced for rails, bearings etc can be prepared - machined and than fix to the mold by precise adjustment before mix is filled in. That is how I would do and will in one day.

Done on one of these

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**needleworks** · 28-12-2016

I can't believe I just found this thread ! About four or five weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a link to a machine that he was considering, very similar to the machine you are building ! The only thing that concerned him was the fact that it would be coming from foreign shores, (vat, customs charges, shipping etc) I must point him towards this thread and see what he makes of it. Anyway, here is the machine he was considering, as you will see, the similarities are there

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Millin...p2056016.l4276

**Chaz** · 28-12-2016

Originally Posted by needleworks

I can't believe I just found this thread ! About four or five weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a link to a machine that he was considering, very similar to the machine you are building ! The only thing that concerned him was the fact that it would be coming from foreign shores, (vat, customs charges, shipping etc) I must point him towards this thread and see what he makes of it. Anyway, here is the machine he was considering, as you will see, the similarities are there

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Millin...p2056016.l4276

Ive seen those machines. Looks 'nice'. Similar idea, certainly, nothing really new with a fixed gantry idea.

That machine is ex Austria so no import tax etc. It's a fair bit smaller / lighter than my machine. Probably worth a look at that price (compared to say the Chinese imports).

Here's a vid of it cutting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSO0BlGFaqA . The one on sale only as a 2.2KW spindle, the one in the video is almost 4KW.