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Bed (baseboard/spoilboard) ideas for Outback CNC - T-slot rails?

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Heath Raftery, Jun 26, 2022.

  1. Heath Raftery

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    Hi all!

    I have an Outback CNC on the way which is exciting. Haven't seen them talked about anywhere so fumbling in the dark a little at the moment.

    Anyway, I'm thinking about what baseboard/spoilboard (is the collective term "bed", or best to be explicit?) setup to use. I'm leaning towards T-slot rails because I think they'll be easier to work with than a spoilboard with threaded inserts. And if the spoilboard is made of strips that sit between the rails, does a baseboard under that add any value?

    To save 1000 words, here's the design I had in mind. Brown is the Outback CNC aluminium frame, purple is the T-slot rails, green is MDF spoilboard sitting a little proud of the rails.

    export.png

    To end up with something like this:

    IMG_0807.JPG

    Is that a good approach?
     
  2. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    I originally set mine up that way. I've used the t-slots a handful of times. I use screws sometimes, but more times than not I use doublesided tape.
     
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  3. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    I only put a lot of effort into my first spoilboard (threaded inserts). After I threw that one away I use masking tape and superglue for almost everything, occasionally woodscrews into the spoilboard.
    Alex.
     
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  4. Heath Raftery

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    Good to know! Thanks for the feedback. Gives me a bit of freedom to do what tickles because it probably doesn't matter much in the end!
     
  5. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    What is your preferred tape?
     
  6. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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  7. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    I've been using this one, but I've had it release on me mid-job (which is infuriating, as I'm sure you know/can imagine):Double Stick Tape Paper Backing Natural Rubber/Resin Adhesive for The Machinist, Woodworker, Crafts-Person or DIYer 33 Yard Roll (DCE)48 mm x33m / 1

    Did this happen to be one of the ones you've tried?
     
  8. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    Similar stuff, yes.

    I've never had the board fully release with the stuff I sent you. Only a corner when the wood started to twist due to too much material removal. Thats when you jump in right away and tape it down from the top :)
     
  9. Evilspawn

    Evilspawn New
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    Yeah, I have had that happen (the twisting). It's caused me to nearly throw the piece I was working on across my shop LOL. I'd been engraving a 3d relief for about 2 hours when it started and it caused the bit to dig in near the very end.
     
  10. sharmstr

    sharmstr OpenBuilds Team
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    Same. But that tape is solid. There have been times when I've had a hard time removing the finished piece from the the spoilboard.
     

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