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

Cheers.
GHB

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.





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 Attached files

 

Almost forgot :roll:

Here is where I bought my aluminum angle. Brunner Enterprises

Good service and fast delivery.

Cheers.
GHB

 

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.

I will be posting more pictures soon.

Cheers.
GHB.

 

George, is the x axis stepper sitting in the y gantry space?

 

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

 

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 Attached files

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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.



If you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them.
Hope you folks out here find this useful.
GHB

 

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.