Hello Conn,connfountain wrote: ↑Sun May 31, 2020 11:43 pmThanks!. I am going to just modify the back panel and bottom manually using 1.7. it seems to do a good job of laying out the fingers.
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I see you mention you have a DIY 60 x 120 CNC. Did you post that build information any where on the Net ??
I would love to build a new one about that size. Avid/ CNC Router parts has one but they want $10K or so (likely a little more) for it.
Great, good to hear you can use it and thanks for the feedback.
Yes, I built my own CNC. I bought a kit from Avid/ CNC Router parts in 2013/2014 (controller and motors) and built a small 24x24 mill out of MDF. Used it to learn CNC and how it changed my woodworking. Shortly thereafter, I begin milling out parts out of aluminum for a 48 x 48 mill. After about three years of use of the 48 x 48, I started building a 48 x 96 because I hate tiling my jobs. That mill I kept for about two years.
About two years ago, I decided to build what I have today a steel frame mill that is big enough to handle two sheets of 60x60 Baltic birch plywood. I put them end to end at the same time on the mill. Now I can be milling one sheet while I changed out the other sheet at the other end. I have to say, when I am running production runs of Baltic birch material the mill never stops.
I also designed it with removable tops. I wanted to be able to turn on 4th axis a piece of stock 20 inches in diameter by 120 inches long (not solid). I'm thinking front porch columns and interior wood columns. The hollow columns that are usually built up out of one by material. Today, I have only built a small version of the 4th axis for testing and learning. I have accumulated all the parts for it but haven't had a need for it so I haven't been pushed to build. Yes, Yes, I know, I'm so lazy.
Let's talk about cost, I originally spent 6K on electronics, stepper motors, spindle, software, and lots of little parts (Bolts, nuts, screws, aluminum shapes and plates and lots of tooling). As I think, I would say I spent a little more than $10K maybe $15K over a long period of time. If you talk to my wife, well, she would tell you I've spent $100K on it. LOL.
For me, the CNC journey has been more fun than the destination. If I could afford it, I would buy the 60x160 with the 4th axis from Avid / CNC Router parts. They make great products and their customer support and service is outstanding.