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HandCrafted WorkBee - HCWB

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by joe williams, Aug 14, 2018.

HandCrafted WorkBee - HCWB

HandCrafted WorkBee - HCWB

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by joe williams, Aug 14, 2018.

This will be a slow build as I collect parts and materials as funds permit for 1000mm x 1000mm Workbee. I call it the "Hand Crafted WorkBee" because I will be hand making the plates and as much of the build as possible using a drill press and hand tools.

Workbee CNC Openbuilds
  1. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    joe williams published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
    #1 joe williams, Aug 14, 2018
  2. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Wow. :D What a professional looking table. I don't know what country you are in, but in the UK, the materials you used would cost more than the machine. Oak! :jawdrop:
    I can feel you are going to build a great machine, and produce even better projects with it. :thumbsup:
    We all await your progress.
    Gray
     
    #2 GrayUK, Aug 14, 2018
    Michael.M likes this.
  3. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Hey GrayUK, I'm in Louisiana, USA! Well actually the oak is reclaimed...I payed very little for it!
    I'm looking forward to some progress too!
     
    #3 joe williams, Aug 14, 2018
  4. JustinTime

    JustinTime Veteran
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    Like Gray said, nice table, Joe!

    I would have gone with a 269oz stepper (heck...I did go with the 269oz stepper :D). I know, they are $8 more per stepper but in the long run I think they'll serve you better.
     
    #4 JustinTime, Aug 14, 2018
  5. MaryD

    MaryD OpenBuilds Team

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    That is a handsome table. Look forward to following your build!
     
    #5 MaryD, Aug 14, 2018
  6. GeoffH

    GeoffH Journeyman
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    Nice table Joe! My main recommendation for the Workbee is to see if you can design side plates that will give large Z travel, I think 150mm of travel is good. Look forward to seeing more...
     
    #6 GeoffH, Aug 14, 2018
  7. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Yeah, thought about that too...I'll try this size first. Plan on using drivers with enough 'muscle' for bigger steppers just in case!
     
    #7 joe williams, Aug 14, 2018
  8. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    I was thinking about adding a little to the side plates as well as setting the spoiler board low,...good recommendation!
     
    #8 joe williams, Aug 14, 2018
  9. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    Wow, looking forward to seeing this! The table looks great :thumbsup:
     
    #9 Ryan Lock, Aug 14, 2018
  10. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    So the steppers came in. Looks like I've got enough parts gathered to start making the plates!
    Now all I need is some time! IMG_20180818_235134.jpg
     
    #10 joe williams, Aug 19, 2018
    GrayUK likes this.
  11. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    An Arduino Nano might be coming in today:

    A000005_ISO_2.jpg
    and one of these drivers too, the TB6560

    51NGTxPqVdL._AC_SR260,240_.jpg
    I've ordered only one driver at this point because I may go with all 4 TB6560, or I might save up and buy 4 DQ542MA drivers instead. Can anyone here help me filter thru all the DM542 based drivers available at other retailers and here at Openbuilds?

    Sainsmart ST-DM542:

    04_595_2ea5d8e5-c149-44ee-9a7d-e25295b22308_large.jpg
    Stepperonline DM542T:
    digital-stepper-driver-10-42a-20-50vdc-for-nema-17-23-24-stepper-motor-382-225x225.jpg

    Stepperonline DM542S:
    DM542S-300x300.jpg
     
    #11 joe williams, Aug 19, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 20, 2018
  12. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    I'm leaning toward the Arduino Nano/GRBL controller and TB6560 drivers combination that Metalguru has documented so well.(thanks!) It seems simple, reliable and very cost effective. However the DM542 style driver could provide some "future-proofing" for possible stepper upgrades.

    Any opinions?
     
    #12 joe williams, Aug 19, 2018
  13. JustinTime

    JustinTime Veteran
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    I haven't looked into it in a loooong time but I remember that there were issues with the TB6560 and that the successor to it is the TB6600. Look up the 6600 on Aliexpress and/or google the difference between the two.
     
    #13 JustinTime, Aug 20, 2018
  14. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Do you have a favorite "brand" of TB6600 driver?
     
    #14 joe williams, Aug 21, 2018
  15. JustinTime

    JustinTime Veteran
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    No, not really. Unless, that is, you call Aliexpress a "brand". :ROFL::ROFL:
     
    #15 JustinTime, Aug 21, 2018
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  16. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Hi Joe.
    Do check out the max handling of Amps with those Drivers. Make sure they will cope with the demand your motors, and any future motors will make. That is frequently a weakness of the cheaper Drivers on Ebay.
     
    #16 GrayUK, Aug 21, 2018
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  17. Michael.M

    Michael.M Veteran
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    Wow, excellent wood work buddy! I can't wait to see this beauty completed.
     
    #17 Michael.M, Aug 24, 2018
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  18. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Thanks Michael! I'm looking forward to it too! Just got in some more stuff this week and I've been playing around with an Arduino Nano, getting GRBL loaded on it and goofing around with UGS Platform. This came in a couple of days ago, so it will be time to hook up a driver and a stepper soon, and see if I can get them to work! 61BmWa7rGXL._SL1000_.jpg
     
    #18 joe williams, Aug 25, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2018
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  19. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Hey Michael, I followed your Sphinx build. I love that solid aluminum bed, (I might be jealous) I see you went with the DQ542MA drivers, I'm trying to talk myself into those as well!
     
    #19 joe williams, Aug 25, 2018
  20. Michael.M

    Michael.M Veteran
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    I can only speak for those particular drivers as I have no experience with anything else. With that said, installation was very straight forward and I've had zero problems so far. I think they are necessary for the higher current stepper motors. If you have any questions, feel free contact me.
     
    #20 Michael.M, Aug 25, 2018
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  21. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Thanks for everyones input. I ended up getting some DM542 drivers. They just came in. I'll be doing a test setup soon!
     
    #21 joe williams, Aug 30, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2018
  22. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    So I've been fiddling around with and old computer case. I've got the power supply, drivers and Arduino nano installed as well as the steppers temporarily connected and tested. So far so good. On to making plates next, or maybe messing around with the base frame.
    IMG_20180903_224945.jpg IMG_20180903_224959.jpg IMG_20180903_225007.jpg
     
    #22 joe williams, Sep 3, 2018
  23. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    That looks neat and tidy Joe. Do keep that air flowing with fans, it's gonna get quite warm in there :thumbsup::thumbsup:
    Do you think they will start producing computer cases for ATX boards as well as CNC drivers and Control boards??? :D
    Could be a secondary market there, the way things are going. :rolleyes:
    I know I've got an old case lined up for the next project. :thumbsup:
     
    #23 GrayUK, Sep 4, 2018
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  24. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    I can see it now: "The New Openbuilds Modular Controller/PC Case" !
    Available in 3 fine finishes:
    • Black
    • Gray
    • Camo

    camo-case.jpg
    ;)
     
    #24 joe williams, Sep 4, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2018
  25. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Don't forget the LIGHTS!!!!!!! :jawdrop::jawdrop::thumbsup::thumbsup:
    You gotta have loads of lights and stuff!! :D:ROFL:
     
    #25 GrayUK, Sep 4, 2018
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  26. Andreas Bockert

    Andreas Bockert Well-Known
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    The only problem I had with the Dm542 from stepperonline was that I had to disable the idle timeout in grbl. It seemed like the drivers needed some time to start up before they were ready to accept steps.

    Good luck and have fun!
     
    #26 Andreas Bockert, Sep 4, 2018
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  27. joe williams

    joe williams Well-Known
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    Thanks for the tip!
     
    #27 joe williams, Sep 4, 2018

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