Lol I'm conducting tests today
I found a local supply of dyes and supplies
Picked up 4 colors to play with
Will see just how well I can master this science

 

No just a reply to his comment about anodizing, if you would like me to del it np

 

1. I would use a much stiffer cross arm for the gantry.

After using the twin beam setup then going to one solid 4080, the difference is night and day. It really is too bad Openbuilds doesn't offer anything heavier. In my opinion if I HAD to go with sandwiched extrusions i'd find a local welder to TIG them together into one solid extrusion, but it's easier to go with a 4080 or even a 5010 beam and use Openrail rather than V-slot.

4. Changing bits is a chore. I'd like to find a quicker way to swap in/out cutting bits, something that doesn't break the bank.

If you find one please let me know !!! I change bits, no joke 20-30 times a day during the normal work day. I have auto tool zero setup so that helps take the load off. I also found a fellow selling Sherline Air release spindle heads for a good price but for me that does really help alot. I have found options for the Porter Cable 7518 router to turn it into a ATC for 3 grand !! It's either that or a full blown ATC spindle, either way out of my budget for now.

Anyway just my 2.125 cents.....

Gerald

 

If I was to buy parts again. Then I would investigate linear rail solutions and do heavier T slot for the X and Y axis just for piece of mind.

I'm going to get a price for welding the x axis together. Good idea on the welding them together.
I would have never guessed these would flex, but experienced people say they do!

 

Ohhh, welding them together.... that is a great idea. I have a friend who owns a machine shop who always love to show off his beautiful tig welding skills. I think I have a job for him.

 

Neil thank you for the very helpful hints and tips to improve the design. Lots of really great ideas and people on this forum. It really helps a newbie like myself to have confidence in the overall project.

What I have learned on this forum, is we all bought into a machine design we liked. But the machine continues to evolve into a better design!

Neil's leadscrew's & Hyteck2k rack & pinion, to name just a few...

 

Maybe do a resource or 'build' to keep us updated without taking over an existing build ... Don't forget to point us to it.

 

Or just expand this one
http://www.openbuilds.com/builds/diy-anodizing-power-supply.1646/
to include DIY anodizing how to's.

 

Yes they do make a good paint

Another great option is the Dupi chrome color line, with a good prep of your aluminum you can get a great finish.

For ballscrews at a fare price I found this seller and received 3 ballscrews @1100 mm in perfect condition
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=131152534911

 

Thank you Robert. This sellers prices are excellent.
Any idea when you will be testing these?

 

The new production mill is in the works but I can only spend around $200 every pay from the day job to cover expenses.
I have acquired the rails, ballscrews and spindle.
I'm taking my time and designing this one with all the features I'm missing in the first one.
The new mill will also be run with the MK2/4 USB cnc board from the OB store and single axis tb6600 drivers
The reason I got three screws was because after seeing Neil's setup I figured it would just add precision to the build

 

Another note it did take three weeks for delivery so keep that in mind

 

Thank you Robert, I buy a number of things from the Far East, patience is always required but the prices are very good.

 

The 5 amp rating is their max burst current I wouldn't push them past 4 amps myself.
I will be using the USB cnc board to control them
http://openbuildspartstore.com/cnc-usb-controller-mk2-4/
I have bin using mach3 for a while and figured I would try a step into the USB realm

 

Darn eBay keeps giving me : Unfortunately, access to this particular item has been blocked due to legal restrictions in some countries.
for links as the one above. What "legal restrictions" ? It can't be the product which can be found from many all over the net ...

 

Try this
Endmachined 760~1200mm SFU1204 Series Zero Backlash Ballscrew CNC Ball Screws

 

Same thing, and I'm trying from work so different ISP and everything (except for user clicking the mouse and keyboarding). I often get this eBay "banned" message. Googling the description, I tried .ca, .com and .uk links - all with same result. I've basically given up on eBay long ago... even though they keep emailing me "items of interest" (which aren't even close to being of interest).

Here's a twist, I can get to :

• http://www.ebay.tv/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_sop=15&_nkw=cnc+ball+screws+1000&_frs=1
• http://www.ebay.fr/sch/sis.html?_nk...5 Single Ballnut For CNC&_itemId=130995693604

which are eBay sites off continent (for me). Why can't I get to eBay.ca or eBay.com ? I can find the parts at other websites anyways. Just a tad odd, that's all. It's eBay's lost, not mine.

 

Be careful with some of the Chinese sellers up there. You are responsible for all import taxes and customs, that can really screw things up. Personally I will NEVER buy from someone that says you have to handle all the red tape around importing. That is not my idea of fun.

Note in auctions:
Shipping & Handling:

International Buyers - Please Note:

• Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. Buyers are responsible for these charges.
• Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
• All items will be dispatched from our warehouse in China or Hong Kong directly.
• We cannot ship on weekends and we do not offer Saturday, Sunday or holiday delivery.
• All our items will be shipped to buyer's PayPal address, please confirm your address on PayPal before you bid

 

Here in canada we have a free trade agreement.
I have yet to pay anything more then the price listed when it says free shipping
No duties or taxs

 

I have also had good experience with items from China. I'm way more concerned about buying from American companies who do UPS shipping. 3 times UPS has charged silly brokerage charges to cross the border into Canada. Last time UPS got me, for $70 brokerage fee on a part that was valued at $15. Now any company that lists UPS I avoid.

Sometimes I get charged HST on expensive shipments like my Openbuilds shipment. Taxes you cannot avoid...

Import duties, brokerage fees and taxes are never fun. But when the parts are 1/2 the price from China, it's worth the risk sometimes.

 

Yes it is UPS that I will never use, charging duties on items that are free trade, I will never use or buy something that is shipped UPS

 

I ship to Canada from the US all the time, I use Fedex, but they're not much better then UPS, they just kick all the fees back to the shipper. Forget the shipping calculator, it's like they have a monkey punching in random numbers. I shipped a sign to Ontario and got 4 separate invoices back from Fedex spaced out over a month for customs fees, GST, transportation, etc.... I charged the customer $50 to ship, ended up costing me $78 after is was all said and done... USPS you can forget it, I don't use them at all for international, tracking sucks and they tend to play rugby with your packages, it's a crap shoot if they will arrive in one piece..

 

I have had good luck with USPS so far, apart from the last tracking problem