If they do significantly increase the gantry’s stiffness, I’ll stick with them for a while… at least, until I learn how to mill aluminum. 
Besides, if there’s one thing I took away from working at a very high-end bike shop for several years, it’s that looks are at least 95% of the battle. Gotta make it look pro!
Time to bust out the Carbon Fiber Hydro dip!!
Carbon Fiber EVERYTHING!
(But actually… carbon fiber gantry tubes? )
Nope.
Nice!!
Developments:
I created a quick sketch of the base Jackpot dimensions this afternoon to cut out of the hardboard that’s still on the spoil board before taking my LowRider apart. I used the same toolpath settings as for my struts. Couldn’t tell you why, but the depth was spot on this time, not twice as deep as it should be. 
With that quick task completed, I disconnected the LR and up onto the workbench it went for disassembly. I’m a total dork so instead of settling for a quick fix, I broke down the gantry almost entirely so I could install a black brace in the middle (see also: make it look pro). Having satisfied that weird urge to create a silly color pattern that will barely be visible, I installed the bottom strut and a strip of LEDs on the underside of the braces. I’m taking a pause to do some printing and design work, because I am giving serious consideration to installing a Jackpot inside the gantry. Once I know whether or not that’s a fool’s errand, I’ll get things rewired and the other struts assembled.
Front strut mockup for fun:
Looks good!
Acrylic sheet is kind of a pain to work with. I ruined a bunch of it, but managed to bully enough into behaving that the front strut is done and installed.
For fun, the current state of the workshop:
Tomorrow’s going to be like Christmas - LEDs, ESP32s, and a V1 shipment (Jackpot!) should all arrive. 
I’ve gone down the LED rabbit hole and I’m excited to start playing around with them after work!
The acrylic was by far the worst part of putting it all together. Well that and it pushing my struts too thick. but @vicious1 came in right on time with a fix for that thankfully!!!
Did you print the mounts I designed or going a different route?
I printed one, sized to my brace spacing, but I haven’t decided exactly what I’m going to do. I have a switching power supply mounted in the gantry right now, and I intend to put the Jackpot in there somehow too, so there’s going to be a lot of fiddling, designing, and experimentation this week as I figure out how it’s all going to fit together.
Roger that. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Watching closely!
Alas, Amazon failed to come through. I got most of my stuff, but the most important bits (ESP32 and LEDs) are delayed at least a day. Boooooo!
I did get the Jackpot, though, and that’s an even more important bit! Since I’m exhausted from an early morning meeting, I’m redoing some of my wire harnesses at the dining table. I’ve got some sketches of some mounting ideas to work on in F360, too.
Hey, it might not be Buckminster Fuller, but if it works…
Not gonna lie… these LEDs are badass.
I have tweaked my Jackpot mount and @Jonathjon’s LED mount, and I’ll see how those turn out tomorrow after printing. I have a feeling the tweak-and-test process is going to take a few more days before I’m ready to do much assembly.
Best to take a little time and make sure you are completely happy with it before final assembly. I’m happy with mine but there are a few subtle tweaks I would have made had I not rushed it.
Also something I found at the last min with my mounts are the ones on the far ends interfere with the xz mount bolts. So you might want to model in some clearance for those 2 outer most mounts. I modified mine with some side cutters lol
Good to know. I also have to fight with the Jackpot and my switching power supply, since I’m trying to keep everything inside the gantry, so it will be interesting to see how that goes.
If you are doing all the way across behind the front strut like I did you will definitely want to get that in before you put anything else in the strut. I had mine all in and working before I ran any other wires or anything. I believe I posted some pics of having all the mounts wired up and ready. It was fun getting that all snaked through the beam lol. A second pair of hands really helped out. Not sure I could have gotten them in near as easy without @CarmenJ’s help
Yeah, my gantry is empty because I’m testing mounts for the Jackpot and power supply too. The front LEDs will go in first for sure. I’m actually installing LEDs across the front and rear struts, because I’m a glutton for punishment.
