Layout Help Needed

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nikki1492
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Layout Help Needed

Post by nikki1492 »

I need to put mini T-Tracks in my spoil board but am not sure of all the issues to consider.

My spoil board measures 13" X 27.5" X 0.625".
My machine cuts 13" X 24".
The mini t-track is 0.75" X 0.375" X 24".

I have purchased 2 tracks with 4 bolts and nobs.

Here's the cvr file I have done.

Please tell my what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it. And what have I forgotten about? :?

I hope I've presented this so it's understandable. If not, ask all the questions you need/like.

Thank you all in advance. I look forward to heaps of great info. :wink:

My given name is really Barb. :wink:
Attachments
T-Track insert.crv
(39.5 KiB) Downloaded 87 times
t-track.png

PaulRowntree
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by PaulRowntree »

Can you put tracks outside of the cutting area? It gives the opportunity to hold down wide pieces from the sides as well as the ends.

You have invested in getting a certain cutting area. Now imagine yourself trying to cut a piece that big, and how to hold a 13x27 piece of material. Two rails in the middle of the table won't do that.
Cheers!
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nikki1492
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by nikki1492 »

The bed is exactly the cutting width... 13".

I do mostly small items such a lithophanes. I also use mostly 8" wide wood.
I currently see nothing larger than this is my future. If I do I have thought about using the tiling since I'm so locked in.

Barb

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RoutnAbout
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by RoutnAbout »

Hi Barb,
I've not used T-Tracks to give any good advice.
But you've chosen to use 0.125 ballnose cutter for the T-track pockets tool path.
A ballnose won't leave a square bottom corner for the T-Tracks to be seated properly.
Using and 0.125" endmill, will leave square bottom and you'll also be able to take a wider stepover.

I've cut the end off of your material to give you a cutaway view of the T-Track Slot to show that rounded corner at the bottom
Attachments
screencap_205.jpg
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nikki1492
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by nikki1492 »

Thank you, RoutnAbout. You're right. Gonna change the bit to end mill.

One problem conquered before it was in hard form.

Barb

vtx1029
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by vtx1029 »

I put some T-bone fillets in the corners so you don't have to chizel them out :wink:
Attachments
T-Track insert T-bone.crv
(134.5 KiB) Downloaded 88 times

nikki1492
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by nikki1492 »

vtx1029 wrote:I put some T-bone fillets in the corners so you don't have to chizel them out :wink:
I've never done T-bone fillets. There is nothing special I need to do for them to be carved. Right???

Thanks, vtx1029. I appreciate this help.

Barb

vtx1029
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by vtx1029 »

nikki1492 wrote:
vtx1029 wrote:I put some T-bone fillets in the corners so you don't have to chizel them out :wink:
I've never done T-bone fillets. There is nothing special I need to do for them to be carved. Right???

Thanks, vtx1029. I appreciate this help.

Barb
Nope its just a vector tool. You just pocket the shape same as you would anything else. Just make sure the radius is greater then the tool your using otherwise it won't go in there. In the file I attached I make the radius .126 so you should be good up to a 1/4 endmill.

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ChrisInEstes
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by ChrisInEstes »

Hiya Nikki-Barb,

I'm with Paul... Give yourself room to clamp the biggest workpiece your machine will handle.

Chris
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nikki1492
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by nikki1492 »

ChrisInEstes wrote:Hiya Nikki-Barb,

I'm with Paul... Give yourself room to clamp the biggest workpiece your machine will handle.

Chris
Hey Chris,

Between you and Paul... how would I maximize my workspace with my limitations?

Barb

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ChrisInEstes
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by ChrisInEstes »

nikki1492 wrote:
ChrisInEstes wrote:Hiya Nikki-Barb,

I'm with Paul... Give yourself room to clamp the biggest workpiece your machine will handle.

Chris
Hey Chris,

Between you and Paul... how would I maximize my workspace with my limitations?

Barb
Exactly HOW to do that is hard to know w/o seeing your machine and situation. Mine was more of a general suggestion. I would see if I could put T-Track slots around the perimeter of your spoil board as well. I did a quick rendering to show you what I mean.
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Barb.jpg
Aspire 9.5 - FlexiEXPERT 11 - Vytek Rebel 4' x 8' - 5HP Perske Spindle

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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by milo30 »

Be sure that you have an opening to put bolts in the slot once it is installed. As far as maximizing the cutting area I would consider cutting the two tracks in half and moving them to the far edge so it will give you a few more inches. You could just screw on a larger spoil board if you needed a larger area for clamps later.

nikki1492
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by nikki1492 »

Thanks for the idea, Chris.

Here's a photo of my machine as purchased/assembled. It's the blueChick from Patric Hood-Daniel. It's the smaller (earlier) model.

The distance between the rails is 13.25" so I see no way to add tracks between them.
I could add them across the short ends of the bed.
Would that be worth it?
Would holding jigs help do the job?

My knowledge and/or experience is extremely limited in all of this.

Barb
Attachments
blueChick 1 300.JPG

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ChrisInEstes
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by ChrisInEstes »

nikki1492 wrote:Thanks for the idea, Chris.

Here's a photo of my machine as purchased/assembled. It's the blueChick from Patric Hood-Daniel. It's the smaller (earlier) model.

The distance between the rails is 13.25" so I see no way to add tracks between them.
I could add them across the short ends of the bed.
Would that be worth it?
Would holding jigs help do the job?

My knowledge and/or experience is extremely limited in all of this.

Barb
Cool looking machine you have there. I've never heard of them. I've found that holding your material in place can be tricky. You'll learn with practice. Any option you can use for holding your material in place is a benefit. I use all sorts of clamps, screws, tape, special jigs, etc... Sometimes it takes longer to figure out how to hold material in place than it does to machine it.

Chris


Check to see if there's a user forum for your blueChick. There could be videos on Youtube as well.
Aspire 9.5 - FlexiEXPERT 11 - Vytek Rebel 4' x 8' - 5HP Perske Spindle

PaulRowntree
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Re: Layout Help Needed

Post by PaulRowntree »

What about running the T-track from side to side? You could hold down at the edges by a clamp strap running parallel to the long axis on each side, between tracks.
Paul Rowntree
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