I'm online looking for a router to fit the c beam, i cant find a U.K website that sells the dewalt 611 or the bosh colt router, i remember seeing a maketa router being mentioned? any ideas?

thanks

 

just seen this 1.... http://www.axminster.co.uk/dewalt-d26204k-plunge-and-fixed-base-2-in-1-router-1-4

and this 1.. http://www.axminster.co.uk/bosch-gmf1600ce-1-2-router

 

the Makita rt0700cx2 fits the bill nicely and is 65mm

toolstop had the best deal for me with free next day delivery

http://www.toolstop.co.uk/makita-rt0700cx4-router-laminate-trimmer-with-trimmer-guide-240v-p63809

edit. both of them routers you linked are full size and 1/2" what are too big

 

Thanks flash, ill have a wee look at that 1, are you using it with the open builds spindle mount ?, if so did you have to pack it?

 

yes I have used the OB Mount, I made a split collar up out of some 3" x 3/8 wall stock tube and turned it down on the lathe so it had a shoulder on it tbh, 3/8 wall tube was a bit thick - Then I just cut a slot in it on the saw, I never did a finishing pass on the lathe so its a bit rough - this helps grip the router - well that my story I'm sticking to it

 

I merely tapped those holes to 4mm to also use bolts.

 

I liked the doubled Y axis drive idea for stability/rigidity and doubling the length of the Y seems trivial.
a) Just change lead screw and extrusion length for the existing Y axis drive.
b) Order another C-Beam assembly, in the 1m length.

I'm not enthusiastic about mounting the NEMA 23s on just two bolts, so I hacked up the design of the end plate for the motor drive end
i) to 65mm high ii) to take 4x 5mm bolts on the NEMA motor bolt pattern.
I know it will foul things that run toward the motor end about 72mm earlier than with the stock build, but if I extend the Y axis by 500mm I will still have 428mm extra to play with.
I don't think it will be a problem on X and Z, but I can always switch back to the original end plates on whatever few jobs it becomes an issue.

 

x y z seems as easy as a b c or 1 2 3 but i'm that new to this i have to stop to think which one is which when reading posts
I just love pictures it makes it a lot simpler for simple brains like mine

I ended up buying this router, http://www.axminster.co.uk/dewalt-d26204k-plunge-and-fixed-base-2-in-1-router-1-4

I like to get double or treble use out of tools and this one fits the bill, i contacted them for the diameter of the spindle and was told its 69 mm so i just ordered it. next ill be looking at cutters.

the main thing i'm missing in my workshop now is a small metal lathe.

 

Has anyone attached a laser diode kit and tried that yet? I like the idea of burning old pictures to wood?

 

here is a couple of none lethal projects i done,

 

I don't know if these are available in UK, but Harvey Tool seems to offer a wide array of tooling in the smaller sizes that router CNC machines can use - as well as the BIG milling bits.
I'm browsing their catalogue right now.

 

I had a quick look for a U.K distributor (eating my dinner) but can't see one for Harvey tools.

 

only issue with the larger routers is weight on the Z axis and 1/2" bits are mainly are wood bits where end mills are 1/8 (3mm) and 1/4 (6mm) shank what range in size from 0.1 to 6mm there are collets available but they arnt cheap

edit. ah its 1/4, min rpm may be a issue

 

the dewalt i got is 1.9 kg with base attached . it takes 1/4" and 8mm collets, I also have a good dremmel hand tool i could use on the machine with a different mount. There is a card available for routers to the controller to moderate speeds as well as the speed control on the router.

 

I was looking at the bosch colt on the video of the c beam and the specification of that is 16000 to 35000 rpm

 

I don't know if these are available in UK, but Harvey Tool seems to offer a wide array of tooling in the smaller sizes that router CNC machines can use - as well as the BIG milling bits.
I'm browsing their catalogue right now.

 

Their "find a distributor" page says to contact them if you are outside Canada and USA;

http://www.harveytool.com/FindDistributor.aspx

Might be worth it, maybe you could BECOME their UK distributor ? (-:

 

I'm getting too old to be a distributor, a wise man once said to me ..if our life was measured by a 12" ruler, i'm on my last few inches and my time is more valuable than all the gold in fort Knox

 

Any idea what spindle/chuck/holder this is ?

I don't mind hand changing tools at pauses, but as built the C-Beam machine with a router requires zeroing at every bit change.

BTW, 5 axis would be NICE, but the kick starter goal price of this is $3500.
Not in MY beer budget for this week, I'll tell Santa that I plan to be REALLY GOOD - at least for the next three months.

 

Nice machine !

 

I downloaded universal g code sender and grbl, but i see people are having problems with bricking the card with grbl so i'm going to have to configure universal g code. There doesn't seem to be any options to configure it, should i just run it 'as is'? I noticed on the build video he set everything for grbl using the jpeg picture he has in the folder. I can't do that. i dont see a start/stop button to start the cnc router after opening the example file.

 

To change the setting in uni G code sender go into the command tab and use the $ command say you want to change the value of $102 all you type is $102 followed by the value then hit the enter key

$$ gives you the settings on the grbl board

 

Its all brand new to me flash, I'll have a look at it again and see if i can follow your guidance. Thanks!

 

The router will be here today, I got messed about with an ebay seller for the power supply so Ryan has sent one out first class so should be here soon, If I can sort the software out i should be testing soon. I didn't realize v carve pro was £470, thats a good chunk of cash, it seems easier to use than artcam software but artcam is a lot cheaper.

Its a fly move selling parts of there programs to limit our abilities so we have to purchase them as well but we just have to grin and bare it while justifying it with internal self talk to convince ourselves before convincing the misses.

 

Router arrived ! One more step in my cnc adventure, pictures attached. No need for packing it fits the mount good.

 

Now you're cookin! Looks good.

 

As long as i'm the one cooking and not my electronics

Thanks!!

 

Indeed. You'll get no argument here

If you're looking for a cheaper solution to the CAM/CAD software, have you checked out fusion360? Free for hobbyists, and worth a look if you're trying to keep the misses off your back!

 

I haven't looked at it no, but I will check it out, thanks for that!