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4' x 8' Router Table Build.

Discussion in 'OpenBuilds Projects' started by thunder hawk, Jan 25, 2013.

  1. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Thank you Mark, and to everyone else who've given me positive encouragement.
    More pictures will be posted soon.

    Cheers.
    GHB :D
     
  2. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    What a table! Now how do I get that into my basement?
     
  3. TigerPilot

    TigerPilot Well-Known Member

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    thunder hawk, any reason why you didn't screw the top to the wood but used the brackets to hold it down?
     
  4. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    I used the brackets because the table frame rails are made of furniture grade pine.
    The brackets help to keep the table top which is made of Missoula Particleboard
    ( a type of underlayment) from warping from large changes in temperature and humidity.
    The brackets let the frame expand and contract easily against the table top without
    causing it to much stress. I do expect however that as the table ages I will have to
    re-level it and check the frame for signs of stress warping, and correct things as needed.

    No one system of constructing this type of table is perfect. You just have to know
    the environment it will be used in, and engineer a solution that works for it.

    If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask.
    Hope this helps.
    GHB :D
     
  5. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    I made my bed out of MDO plywood, the same wood that the blacktoes and blackfoots come made out of. Menards sells it really reasonable.
     
  6. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    The local Menards here does not sell MDO. I wanted to build my table surface
    and risers from it. MDO has a nice finish to it, and it is strong and stable.

    Cheers.
    GHB :D
     
  7. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    It is awesome and of course you live about as far away in Indiana as you can get from central Ohio. :cry:
     
  8. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Hay folks,

    Sorry I have not posted lately. I have been sick with a wicked case of Norovirus.
    If you've ever had this, it's not fun. :( :( :( :( :(

    I'll be getting back to my machine build shortly.
    Today is the first day in about two weeks I've felt like working on anything.

    Just thought I'd let you folks out here know where I've been.

    Cheers.
    GHB :D
     
  9. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Thanks for the update George. Sorry to hear you have been sick my friend. You will be in our prayers to recover quickly, so that you can jump back on the build! :doubleup:
    Mark and Trish
     
  10. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    I have been wondering how progress was going. Glad to hear you are ready to get back to it. :) Anxious to see how your build is going. Good luck. LaVerne
     
  11. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Hi Folks,

    Here are some more pictures of the 4 x 8 Black Foot CNC build.
    With the mounting of the Open Rail to the table, the table is now complete.
    I will keep posting more pictures as the build progresses, so everyone can see the machine
    being built to completion.

    I have to finalize the designs for the table and need to revise some of the drawings before
    I can release the plans. I want to make sure everything is accurate before posting the plans.

    Click on the pictures for larger views.






    The next two pictures are of the CNC machine with the gantry temporarily sitting in place.




    The last two pictures show the Open Rail conversion of the Z-Axis slide.
    The X and Z axis of my machine run extremely smooth with Open Rail.
    The rail allows the V wheels to sit tight on the rail.
    There is no slop or play. Just smooth accurate movement in one direction only.
    :banger: :banger: :banger: :banger: :banger:




    When I finish converting the Y-Axis to Open Rail I'll post an update showing the completed gantry.

    Remember, I will be posting more pictures of this project until the machine is completed and
    making parts. If anyone has questions please do not hesitate to ask. Ill be glad to answer them.

    More later.
    George :D Attached files [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  12. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Almost forgot :roll:

    Here is where I bought my aluminum angle. Brunner Enterprises

    Good service and fast delivery.

    Cheers.
    GHB :D
     
  13. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Ok - Now that's what I'm talking about! George, this is looking :fantastic: It is incredibly beefy and stout looking. Keep up the good work. I look forward to following along and thank you again for the reference. Very cool my friend. Love the style of this machine.

    Mark and Trish
     
  14. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Hi everyone,

    Even though the the table is complete, the table top is just a place for the
    upper table top and hold down system I'm designing to be mounted.

    I am still working out the details for this. I will post the hold down system design.
    That way you folks out here can try a new way of cutting just below the surface
    of a sheet of plywood, without having to resurface a spoil board. It will be a
    simple and easy way to keep your cutting surface level. :cool:

    I will be posting more pictures soon.

    Cheers.
    GHB. :D
     
  15. TigerPilot

    TigerPilot Well-Known Member

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    George, is the x axis stepper sitting in the y gantry space?
     
  16. 7up

    7up Moderator Staff Member

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    Very impressive machine. Nice work GHB. :doubleup:
     
  17. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    Nice work George! I'm sure this will be one smooth working machine. Keep up the great work!
     
  18. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Yes. Here is a picture showing all three stepper motors.
    The X axis shafts are coupled to both sides of the NEMA 34 stepper motor, and run through
    bearings at each side of the gantry. Sprockets are mounted to the shafts with set screws.
    There is a roller chain on both sides of the machine that pulls the gantry along the rails.
    When completed there are two back covers that are attached to the gantry to cover the
    X-Axis motor. The covers make the the gantry one heavy duty box beam.
    Very strong construction.


    I will post more pictures when I get to setting up the Roller chains for the X & Y axis.

    Cheers.
    GHB :D Attached files [​IMG]
     
  19. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    {quote]I will post the hold down system design.
    That way you folks out here can try a new way of cutting just below the surface
    of a sheet of plywood, without having to resurface a spoil board. It will be a
    simple and easy way to keep your cutting surface level.Looking forward to seeing how you are able to do this? :good:
    Mark and Trish
     
  20. TigerPilot

    TigerPilot Well-Known Member

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    That x stepper looks kind of small for such a heavy gantry, doesn't it? Even if it is a NEMA 34.
     
  21. Jnida63

    Jnida63 Member

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    That's actually a 651oz stepper motor for the heavy gantry, they are shorter but fatter
     
  22. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    It takes less than 3 ounces of thrust to move the gantry on the rails. :cool:

    Once I get the electronics installed, I will need to program the acceleration
    and deceleration into the USB-CNC controller to keep the gantry under control.

    The gantry will be heavy with the Spindle mounted.
    So it will be a lot of mass to control (speed up and slow down).
    The 34 stepper should have enough power, or holding torque to
    control the gantry.

    If it does not work out, I'll get a more powerful stepper to do the job.
    I could also mount the motor in a frame and gear it down 2:1.

    Cheers.
    GHB :D
     
  23. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Hi folks,

    I converted the Y-Axis to Open Rail. Instead of posting a picture I thought I'd post a video.
    The video shows how smoothly the machine runs on it's rails. :doubleup:



    If you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them.
    Hope you folks out here find this useful.
    GHB :D
     
  24. KX-5

    KX-5 Member

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    George, Great video of the OpenRail system. It is a smooth moving system. I can see the excitement in your eyes. I know you can see your machine cutting something very soon. :dance3:
     
  25. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    George thank you for posting this video! This really shows the OpenRail's potential and I love it! Very cool
    Thanks bro :good:
    Mark and Trish
     

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