Perfect is nice, but most things do not require it.
What sort of projects are you wanting to try? That will go a long way on how “perfect” your build will need to be. For example if you are carving signs…dimensions do not even matter.
Not sure yet what I will be making.
I bought the machine on an impulse that seemed like a good idea at the time.
I suppose signs, some carving of pictures, trinkets like coasters and other cut out things.
I’m starting to think I should just try to finish building it and see where it falls short and go from there
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I often say i have writers block. Sometimes i have a hard time figuring out my new project. So far i have only turned out 2 signs.
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Late to the party but I sized mine 18x24. 18" was chosen so that the entire setup could be wheeled through my workshop doorway without having to disassemble anything.
YES! This is exactly how you should proceed. Around here you will see some people building and testing, trying and complaining about 0.1mm. Just build it and see what you need. If you think about how you build things with the tools you already have, that will give you a very good idea of what you need. Why spend all the time getting things down to 0.1mm if you build with a tape measure (which at best most use to 1.5-2mm).
Signs, carves, coasters will be completely functional at any tolerance. Have fun, get to the fun parts ASAP and go from there.
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Thank you Ryan.
I’m getting ready to put the belts on and have another of my dumb questions.
Are belts on all 4 sides or just 2?
Then I’ll see if I can figure out how to run the wires
4 sides
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I’ve been away from the build for a little while and hope to get back today or tomorrow.
I need to level it up, install belts.
Wiring looks to be a challenge.
I’ve looked at the instructions and tried to watch every YouTube video there is on wiring these.
Couple easy questions.
I see a lot of builds use drag chain for the wires.
What do you think and what size would work?
Second question is a box for the controls.
Is there anything out there already made or could I pay someone to make one?
Thanks again for your infinite patience
I see builds using 1) drag chains, 2) sleeving, and 3) sleeving using the tape measure trick. All three methods work. Personally, I used these drag chains. Recently a forum topic “advertised” a nice parametric drag chain for 3D printing.
Second question is a box for the controls.
Is there anything out there already made or could I pay someone to make one?
You don’t say what control board you are using, nor whether you have a display or not. I have a Rambo board with a display, and I 3D printed this box. Out on Thingiverse and Printables there are other boxes both for the Rambo and for other control boards. I’ve also seen builds using storage boxes for their electronics.
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Thanks, Robert.
Sorry, I have a Rambo 1.4 and the remote controller.
I have no capability to print anything so I would need to buy something
How much drag chain might I need for a 30"X18" build?
I used 2 meters (two orders) of the drag chain I pointed to on Amazon for a 24 x 32 working area build for just X and Y. I would have needed more if I’d used drag chain for Z as well. With drag chains you will need to figure out how mount the chains to the trucks. You can probably figure out something, but given your lack of a 3D printer, you might be better off using sleeving (with or without the tape measure trick).
I have no capability to print anything so I would need to buy something
I assume by “remote controller” you mean a display? There are services that will 3D print items for you, and I believe the license for the housing on Thingiverse allows that kind of printing. But consider just purchasing or finding a smallish plastic box. A bit of work with a knife or rotary tool and some low-temp hot glue to mount things, and you have a housing. You can easily upgrade later. You could even carve one or (if you add a laser) laser cut one after you have your machine running. I’ve also seen builds that just mount the “raw” electronics to the base board.
Thank you for your always great help, Robert