raykholo published a new build:

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@Seul Kee - Thanks!


@winand - You're absolutely right. I'm shooting for a 'RepStrap' mentality here, same as you, except mine is just cut 2 MDF rectangles, punch and drill some holes, and have a somewhat working machine. The first milling job, naturally, should be a new set of plates out of Garolite sheet so that they are available for replacement when the MDF fails (or right away). I think your AlumDF is awesome, I just don't think someone else would have the patience or confidence to do that well. YAOR is great btw, I've already seen it and want to print a control box like that.

How is the single point of attachment tool mount working out for you? I see it's a clamp, I plan to start with my Dremel and 1/8" carbide endmills, the dremel has a 3/4"-10 thread on it and I've already printed threaded mounting plates that successfully accommodate it in a slightly different context. Just worried about it not being all that rigid. In your much more sturdy case, do you need reinforcement besides at that point?

The same holds true for the 3D Printer I'm designing right now. MDF to test, Garolite for 'final' version and production.

In any case, I plan to print these plates out of PLA and will create out of Garolite as soon as the router is functional.

 

I have the dremel 3000, so yes, plastic. Apparently a rotary tool is standard on a shapeoko so in that case I'm shooting for this type of mounting solution:
http://www.cocquerez.com/post/2011/08/31/Support-Dremel-300
http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25
The first link has the correct tool (albeit I have a slightly newer version) while the 2nd link has a better picture.

Eventually I hope to either build the @Robert Hummel Brushless Motor Spindle or get a a router at Harbor Freight for the same ~$60.

What drivers are you using? I'm expecting a RAMPS v1.4 kit to arrive soon, which has the A4988 stepper drivers I'm so fond of. On my gMax Printer one of those and a Nema 17 is hauling a large 18" square of 1/2" MDF which is how confident I am of the abilities of the Routy. That said, I am aware of the potential of the DRV8825, which is pin compatible with A4988 and should be a unplug, plug and play upgrade in the future. Thoughts?

Also I'll need the ramps for the printer I'm building, so I'll rig up the equivalent of a GRBL shield with an Arduino Uno which should also be in that shipment.

 

See, it's a good thing I didn't order extra A4988's. I'll get started with the included ones and then upgrade the control board as necessary.

 

Some updates: The OpenBuilds order has been here for a little while already. Just got my shipment of Arduinos, a RAMPS board with A4988s, etc... I'm expecting a very large order from Bolt Depot to arrive later today and then I can start building everything. First thing on the list is an automated version of Mark's miter saw stop, for precision cuts today and the same cuts next week. Great for people manually cutting stock for kits, allowing repeatability in smaller batches. Build log of that going up soon, stay tuned.