6 years since I built my C-Beam, back when this thread first started 55 pages ago. I've done a few minor modifications to it but most of the machine including the Z height has remained the same as originally introduced. I have the standard waste board set up of 2 layers of 3/4" MDF board. Most every cut is made on a 3rd 3/4" MDF waste board clamped to the first 2. I may make a few cuts then remove that waste board and save it for the next time I want to repeat the job and then I reinstall it and run more cuts. The issue is clearance under the Z beam of only about 5/8". Not much room for the clamps to hold the actual material (.032 sheet aluminum) being cut. I need more Z clearance. If I could find 1/2" MDF I could use that and gain back 3/4 of an inch but 1/2" MDF is not available that I can find. I'd like to raise the Z height 2" by replacing the Y V-slot side columns which are 10" with 12" pieces. I will then extend my router mount lower in the holder, currently it is set at about 1/3 of the router and it would end up about in the middle. I realize both these mods might effect rigidity of the machine. But I wonder if it would even be noticed. Has anyone done this before and how did it work out. Cam you point me to some fo these modes on this forum so I can see how they were accomplished. Thanks

 

I raised my x axis by 20 mm with the stock hw by putting the bottoms of the vertical 20x60s on top of the rear bottom crossbar instead of behind it. See my earlier posts. It seemed sturdy but I had electrical gremlins due to cheap knockoff “Toshiba” drivers. I since have done other mods to lower the table and make the zaxis more rigid.
Then life intervened ….
I have only recently been able to work on it again.

 

I see how you might have done that Stwspoon. Thanks for the idea, I like it. There is 20mm under the z column I can get.
Attached is a picture of how my router is currently clamped. I'd like to move it down in the holder say 20mm but of course that won't do anything for rigidity. Or will it make a difference? Where on on the router are most people clamping the router and how high on the router can you get away with? Thanks

Bruce

 

Not seen in the photo, my current router clamp, is that there are 4 black corner connectors holding it, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. Would 2 clamps make it more rigid?

 

Yes my 50's era Atlas 10" has flex, I understand. I should have phrased my question better. Considering the rest of my C-Beam is basically stock, would it be necessary to add another clamp to eliminate flex caused by extending the router down an inch. Or would adding a second clamp be one thinin a list of thins that could be done to tighten up the C-Beam?
I'm not asking for an absolute answer, just an opinion from folks who might have already gone there. The only why I'll really know is to try it and see if I notice any ill effects.
Thanks

 

I was wondering if there was a way to recover old log files. Specifically, the information output into the log/serial terminal tab?

 

Well it's now been 10 years since I built my C-Beam. It's still pretty stock though there have been a few mods made. At the time there was videos showing exactly every piece of the puzzle. A C-Beam kit, controller board, power supply and for software we used Sketchup and an extension to Sketchup called SketchUcam, a Gcode plotter to show you cut paths and a few other extensions from Phlatboyz. We sent the Gcode to the C-Beam with GrblPanel. I'm still using all this software. I'm sure I'm stuck in time.
About every month, maybe even more often, I get notices from Open Builds and I've occasionally considered an upgrade to a newer style router. But to tell the truth I will never seriously consider it because I have yet to find complete instructions and or examples that lay out all the new stuff and how to use it to create a working machine.

Where are the complete, and I mean complete, list of products from the machine kit, router, controller, controller software to run it and design software. How is the Gcode created.
Where are the latest how threads, instructions and videos? Have I missed them someplace?

 

Not really. Everything you are using today is still valid. That's one of the beautiful (and frustrating) aspects of this hobby and these machines; you can set them up and use them as you see fit.

If you want an almost one stop shop, then Openbuilds has what you need. They can provide everything but the CAD software. For the hardware, they offer everything for a turnkey machine, including controllers, interfaces, and spindles. For software, they have pre compiled firmware for the controllers (grbl based), and the controlling software (Openbuilds Control). To make the gcode, the have cam.openbuilds.com, which will generate gcode for a whole host of machines, from a whole host of file formats (but not 3D files).

I've had a C-Beam Machine for about as long as you have. I swear, I upgrade the thing more than I use it. I did many of the mods that were mentioned in the post above, and are valid mods, but I'm currently working on converting to linear rails on all axes. I was getting tired of the need to clean and adjust the wheels. Also, the router we have at work of which I used to make the plates for the conversion) uses linear rails, and they are butter smooth.

And I'm not the only one making mods. I doubt there are very few stock machines out there in the wild. You just may not see all of them on this forum (I'm not very active on forums any more)

 

Mark and evili66, thanks for your replies. When we started way back Open Builds was the first place I saw a total solution ie we were told if you buy A, B, C, and D, and put them together as you see in our video, Then download F, G, H and you can draw your design, create G-code and send it to the controller as you can see in our video, and make your part. Back then if your hobby was figuring out how to assemble parts and software to build a tool, there were many more options I'm sure. But if you wanted to collect parts and software and be almost assured success because building a machine was not your intended hobby, Open Builds gave and sold the solution. Open Builds and C-Beam, I think was a break through.

Now it seems there are lots more choices and there is a library of millions of pages of threads to read and figure out how we got to where we are today. But that is way to hard just to figure out what a sure path might be to the best solution using todays hardware and software. I did not watch any Lead 1515 videos so I wouldn't know the same tutorials existed as those the C-Beam had. How would I. My C-Bead and it's build was not because I wanted a new hobby, I wanted a new tool that would enhance a number of hobbies I already have. The C-Beam has and the old setup has done that. It's a tool and I don't sit and fiddle with it.

I will watch the Lead 1515 videos maybe it will answer some questions, maybe generate more.

The question I have now is, is there a reason I would want to upgrade from the Sparks Concept xPRo to a Black Box?

Thanks

Bruce

 

Ok so I've looked at a few videos. I tried using the free online SketchUp to create a test project to bring into OpenBuilds Cam to add tool paths and generate g-code. I was unsuccessful. Seems you must have a subscription to SketchUp in order to export in a file format that can be opened by OB Cam. OK I've yet to have to pay for SketchUp but I've stuck using my PC and the 2017 version when I prefer my Mac. So I opened the Hello World test file and deleted the tool paths then got frustrated trying to create tool paths. I don't think in metric, read the OB Cam documents and can't see how I can change that. Then while I was poking around and reading I think I read OB Cam is for use with the Black Box controller. Well I don't have that. Maybe this is not true and maybe there is a way to select Imperial rather than metric for measure.

It seems to be coming clear. Unless I get a Black Box for my C-Beam I'm stuck using all the old software I've been using. Do I have this wrong?

Also, as a forum moderator myself, I've sensitive to sticking somewhat to the subject of the thread. I'm wondering if there might be a better thread to read and post my questions about the 'new stuff" and how I might move a little bit past 2017 with my C-Beam. Is there a better forum or thread to post my questions.

Thanks.

Bruce

 

Guys, thanks. FYI SketchUp Make 2017 is no longer available for download. See this page https://help.sketchup.com/en/make-access. I got excited for a second thinking 2017 might work then the 2016 version I have on my preferred Mac platform.

 

Thanks Peter, I found the link to SketchUp's site first. I'm using Mac OS BigSur version 11.7.10 which is the latest current OS. I'd hoped SketchUp 2017 would run on it but it does not. SketchUp's site says OS 10.12 was the last OS version SketchUp 2017 was written for. What happens SketchUp 2017 will open on Big Sur but in a short time will unexpectedly close. Oh well, forced to stick with my Windows based PC.