Thor, or should that be Zeus?

[Tom J]

Done on one of these

I have cast iron one 275kg. This help me a lot with my welding

[Davek0974]

These lovely welding benches :)

How do you keep spatter off of them?

[Clive S]

Dave the one I linked to is 150mm granite so the splatter does not stick

[Chaz]

I need to finalise the location of the gantry. From what I can see, the 'best' location for the spindle centre line is the middle of the machine. Keep in mind that once the gantry is fixed, its fixed.

Any reason I would not have it in the middle of the machine? The table pretty much moves the full distance of the table, except around 30mm to the rear which is where the ballscrew bearing holder is.

I could play around with table sizes, considering having a tool rack if I go with BT30 and like the Datron machines (but they are moving gantry) have tools mounted on the rear of the table for the ATC. Most of the machine images I can see online seem to feature the spindle generally in the centre of the table length.

[JAZZCNC]

Bring table to front of machine then spindle line is on or just past the inside edge of table. Allow for largest tool diameter if want to get maximum cut out of it and have travel for it.!

To be honest Chaz your wide open to world of pain if you haven't at least drawn this out on paper. Just basic Cad model will highlight any potential clashes. So many Gotcha's waiting to bite I wouldn't dream of building without basic model. Will save you time and money in long run because often these Gotcha's bite after it's too late or major hassle to change.!!

[Davek0974]

Second what JazzCNC said, even a dimensioned 'fag-packet" sketch will highlight important bits that (and have) goofed up a machine build ;)

[Chaz]

Bring table to front of machine then spindle line is on or just past the inside edge of table. Allow for largest tool diameter if want to get maximum cut out of it and have travel for it.!

To be honest Chaz your wide open to world of pain if you haven't at least drawn this out on paper. Just basic Cad model will highlight any potential clashes. So many Gotcha's waiting to bite I wouldn't dream of building without basic model. Will save you time and money in long run because often these Gotcha's bite after it's too late or major hassle to change.!!

Ive got a model, the Z Axis has some options that will move the spindle location. I just wanted a sense check as such. I wont mount till I am certain.

[JAZZCNC]

Ive got a model, the Z Axis has some options that will move the spindle location. I just wanted a sense check as such. I wont mount till I am certain.

Wasn't meaning just for this talking for every thing in general really. Like most things in life it's the little things that bite and sting the most, these are not always obvious until it's way too late into the build.!

[Tom J]

These lovely welding benches :)

How do you keep spatter off of them?

I do keep well oiled - rust protection+ anti splatter spray while MIG welding. TiG is clean so no needs for anything

[Chaz]

So, keen to get some feedback on the Z Axis.

Nothing too controversial except for the use of concrete. The concrete will be formed around the spindle with a few mm spare and then once the concrete is set, the spindle will be installed via a plate at the bottom and then DWH forming epoxy (the liquid version of the stuff I used for the rails) will be cast around the spindle. This means that the spindle (it needs to be planned so it can be removed from the bottom) will be a 'press fit' into the concrete. The aim of this is to both strengthen the Axis (Axial and Radial) however absorb vibration and improve the Z Axis overall.

The concrete will be around 39 litres which makes up a weight of around 90 kg.

Thoughts / comments / concerns?