Hey guys, I’m kinda new to the MPCNC realm, but seriously considering building a low rider v4. I was thinking about where I’d put it and what I’d put it on, and had an idea. Would it be a good or bad idea to build a table with a solid frame for the machine to be mounted to, and then in the center, the full work area could be lowered to accommodate tall items like chests or whatever? So I could just lower the work space (it wouldn’t even need to be the full work space) and stick a chest or box or something in there so its top surface is at the work plane of the machine? I realize there’s complications to building something like this because if done wrong it could just make for a shaky, off-level work plane. I’m not sure how I’d do it but is the concept sound and worth putting more time into figuring out? Maybe it’s been done already… looking for advice from you experienced guys on this. Thanks!
We do talk a lot about drop tables, but I think there have only been one or two that were actually built, can’t find the topics though, but it’s definitely doable.
https://forum.v1e.com/t/glow-rider-v4/52518/47?u=bigfoot16
This is a really cool drop table. Might give you some ideas.
I have a drop table section in my table (less than full size.)
The beam can operate out over air for a few inches on the unistruts, and the shelf can be removed for that area to be completely open to the ground for large items (I have never used it for that.) I do use the shelf area frequently for laser projects and a rotary axis (laser).
You are still limited in the depth you can cut. If you use a 2 inch end mill, you’d need to be able to raise the spindle > 4 inches or you’d drag it across your workpiece. But for inlay work on the top of a workpiece, the drop table would be perfect.
That looks great! I hadn’t thought about doing that way. I did think it’d be cool to waay over engineer this project and make the dropping section be on lead screws connected to stepper motors so it could be controlled from a little LCD on the side of the table but that’s kinda overkill and creates another spot for potential issues…
I think this is an area where the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) will pay off. I’d have the removable section slide out on runners so it was as solid as possible when installed, which is likely to be 90+ of the time. I’d have a separate solution for positioning the workpiece at the right height as it might need to be slightly different each time depending on the size and shape of the work piece.
All great and very helpful advice. Thanks