Hi Ryan,

Many thanks for the info mate, appreciated

Are you selling the spindles? as I would be interested for my WorkBee.

I've been looking at the software side of things these last few months. CAD/CAM, evaluating various GCode generators. I'm getting rather interested in the Vectric stuff, really interested in what they offer. Unfortunately I can't afford the 'Aspire' CNC package, or even the 'VCarve Pro', so will probably be buying the 'VCarve DeskTop' version. Are you doing deals on those?

Going back to the spindles mate, I read somewhere that anything heavier than the 3Kg spindle is too heavy for the WorkBee. Is that the reason behind your recommendation?



TURK

 

Many thanks for the quick response Ryan
OK, I'll contact Vectric directly then.

I can wait for the spindle mate, plenty research still needed in that department. I'll continue using my Makita router for the time being.

I noticed that you revamped your website, looking very nice mate .................. and you're building up quite a library of very helpful tutorial videos on your YouTube Channel as well

I never regretted buying my WorkBee from you, the support has been fantastic. Thank you so much.



TURK

 

Yes indeed Tajudeen, in less than an hour I was generating my first GCode!
It's almost like magic when you see it happen, particularly when you've done a design yourself. I began by designing a simple logo using Inkscape to create the vector graphics.

It's also all on this thread Tajudeen, including how to generate an .svg file.

Currently I haven't 'completed' this build as I'm still learning new stuff myself, and actually evaluating software packages. As I can't afford much I'm looking at the best available at reasonable costs, and also looking at the free ( open source ) alternatives. Once I've settled on something, and actually started making stuff, I'll post back my findings. Some people may find it interesting



TURK

 

I may as well post some recent pictures of the modifications I did to the WorkBee ......................

You asked the question about maximum Z travel, in my opinion the best way is to lower your waste-board, or your cutting surface, as opposed to altering the actual mechanics of the WorkBee. I considered that by altering the X axis would invariably effect the rigidity of the X axis. So I added extra C-Beam extrusions like in the following image >>




It's obviously important to note that the part or work piece will dictate how you accomplish this. I mainly bought my WorkBee to 'profile' ABS plastic headlight parts. All 24 holes of varying dimensions have to be very precise ............... there's no way I would of been able to accomplish that task accurately time and time again. This was my plan at the time, with my ABS part in place. With the cnc raised by an extra 90mm ( width of C-Beam extrusion ), it gave me a much greater cutting depth. I later also cut a hole out from my base, lowering the part further still >>




Also, doing it this way, I can still cnc flat parts ................... in fact, I have three different levels >>




When I get the time I'll post back the most recent images with the cut-out in the base and the mounting jigs for my ABS parts. And one of these days I'll also cover how to 'profile' ABS plastic parts hopefully!

Have fun with yours mate, but I'm sure you will




TURK