I have not yet priced the Galvanized Conduit, because the closes I can get on paper is 20mm nominal bore at 2.3mm wall, so the OD is approx 26.9mm (too big). So I priced SS as we can get this 25.00mm OD.
So your pricing maybe cheaper then the SS, but I think it will not be cheaper then the Gal conduit, but it is the correct size!
But once I have a chance to check out the other options, like :- Electro-Galvanised Heavy Duty Conduit and Hot DIP Galvanised Very Heavy Duty Conduit, I will have a better idea.
Have you considered making this design in OpenSCAD and fully parametric? Nophead did this with his Mendle90 and by changing a few initial parameters, it will scale everything so there is only one design.
As it is this is very complicated to get the geometry right. I have zero experience with openscad and from what I know about it would take a tremendous effort to do this. I am extremely fluent in solidworks I am confident I can just make a universal design that everyone can benefit from. Openscad would lead to an extremely fragmented build (think android OS). Any one who made an upgrade or add on would also need to be designed in this manner or it wouldn’t work with anyone else builds but there own. Since this keeps coming up, I understand everyone thinks openscad is the best option but I do not. If I can get a universal build to work with a range of sizes say + or minus 5mm diameter the parts could then be printed or molded, with molded parts being even more rigid and longer lasting and add ons only needing to be designed once. Look through thingiverse and you will see several add ons only made for 1 build size and not both, that’s a lose lose to me.
I hope to put serious effort into a new version in a few weeks. My main goal is one build for a wider range of rail sizes and make it compatible with the hardware people already own. So if people with version 1 want to make version 2 hopefully they will not need to buy anything but some more filament.
I use Alibre/Geomagic which is very similar in many ways to Solidworks. Unfortunately, it won’t edit the stl files that you have supplied. I’d like to add nut traps in a few spots for the nuts I want to use but I understand why you don’t do that for a universal design. Openscad would allow that to be done as it is only math, equations and functions. It is arguably more universal than most other CAD systems.
Alibre does allow me to add nut traps to the generic.x_t tool_holder files, so if you could publish the parasolid files it would be almost as good. That was the only file I saw with .x_t files.
I’m in NSW Australia, and we are a metalshop, I’ll check out what is available as far as 25mm OD tube goes, wha would be the ideal material/wall thickness? We have facilities to cut to size etc. and I’d be happy to pass it on to Aussies at cost.
BTW, what approximately in Australia is an all up cost for a final unit by the time it is all assembled, just for CNC work? I want to cut 3mm thick styrene sheets, ideally 1370x760 sheet size.
Laserman can’t see an option to PM you, do you have any idea price on sending 2 cut lengths to Melbourne. This would be for 2 machines, first would be 31200 + 3750 + 2x300 (leaving 50mm for cuts, if not enough make the 1200’s progressively smaller). The second is 750 x 3 + 355.6 x 2 + 1170 * 3 (leaving 28.8 for cuts if more is needed make the 1170’s progressively smaller). Postage would be to 3021. Havent completely decided on lengths, and am not sure we dont want to both stretch into the 3rd tube but lengths are pretty close. You can either reply here or email garry(dot)stone(at)vu(dot)edu(dot)au
Not sure re postage costs, Australia Post has a calculator on their site. You could work out a likely package dimension and weight and check postage from postcode 2800 to you. Happy to send some down.
the stumbling block seems to be Australia post not liking lengths of parcel above 1.05 metres, using the rest of the figures and calculating weight at 8kg parcel post would be $21.05. (based on being sent from sydney, not sure your actual location in NSW). Couriers please would be not a lot more $22.88 from Sydney with no signature required ($25 with signature) and no hassles on length, and they would pick up from your home or business, and I could do they payment from here and email you the consignment note.
To answer one of your earlier questions cost seems largely dependent on cost of printed parts.
Given printed parts use 2kg of filament (2 spools) the plastic itself is probably going to cost 50 plus whatever the person printing takes on top if you dont have access to a printer. (if you don't have access to a printer I can certainly print your for cost of Plastic + post)
The vitamin kit from vicous seems pretty good value at US 240 which today is $AU 330, cant see any postage options here so dont know what that will be.
If you take your tube at $70 a length and for your dimensions you would need 2 lengths and probably some extra belt in the above vitamins kit from vicous.
Australian price is in the $500 ball park plus whatever you are using for a spindle.
Thanks for the update. I have an UP! Plus 2 3D printer, it only has a 140mm print bed, but is really accurate and produces nice prints. I’m upgrading to the massive 3D Beast (http://www.cultivate3d.com/) with it’s 470 x 435 x 690mm build space, but the UP! should work for now, just need to find some $$ and get some more filament.
I need to print some 230mm wide parts for my telescope, so am looking forward to the bigger printer.
Shipping of the alloy would be either from Orange NSW 2800, or Mudgee NSW 2850, I can probably get it cut pretty precisely once you have decided the lengths you want. I’ll get it checked to make sure it is nice and straight if you do want to get some. I’ll be buying some for myself, just trying to decide on the dimensions that I want.
BTW, what is a decent spindle that is available in Oz? Mostly cutting plastic sheets up to 3mm, and maybe some MDF.
I do believe I checked this before. I could ship conduit to Australia for about $100 (shipping plus material cost), but it would be for a 24" x 24".
This would be separate from the hardware bundle which ships for about $63.
Thanks for the offer vicious, the price from laserman for the 3mm walled alu tubing actually works out cheaper as i can get 2 sets couriered for around $30, and I have a feeling the reduced weight of the alu tube would be an advantage over the galv conduit.
Laserman re the spindle: I have a birthday tomorrow and my wife was keen for me to have something bought and boxed to open so went with the makita RT0700CX from total tools http://www.totaltools.com.au/makita-710w-1-4-plunge-router-trimmer-rt0700cx/i1030085/#.ViREAX4rLmE . Had a look around the shapeoko forums and alot of the Australians have chosen this and seem happy with it, I don’t have anything specifically planned to do with the mill, but I’m assuming at this point alot will be woodwork, and the odd bits of aluminium and plastic.
Just tried for a quote from “couriers please” from both Mudgee and Orange and they don’t pickup, but transdirect use road express from both mudgee and Orange and is like $32 so not a big deal there. If you have a preference for a local courier with national affiliates let me know and ill choose based on your preference.
Yeah once I decide on lengths will get back to you, will be doing a quick look at the recycle centre at the local tip tomorrow, not expecting to find what I want, but will be cheap if its there else will finalise sizing and get back to you.
Laserman, ended up finding a local supplier of the appropriate alu tube at similar prices to yours yesterday, but with the no freight issues have bought what I needed. Thanks for the offer.
Yeah, shouldn’t be that difficult, I think the biggest issue is a lot of the places don’t have websites with what they stock and as such when you go looking on the Internet you can’t find what you are looking for, took a little bit of time on the phone then a quick drive and picked up all cut nicely to size.
