Just starting out. Looks like I stumbled upon LR4 right as it was released. Ordered the hardware and started printing the parts. Had previously bought a small CNC from alibaba for $500. It ended up being a toy more than anything(not in the literal sense, just that I couldn’t get much use out of it for the projects I wanted to build). Then I gave up on CNCs because any of the bigger ones were too expensive and building your own would be equally expensive plus time consuming.
So, really thankful to this community for coming up with LR4, it’s right in the sweet spot for me where I can justify the cost.
Progress:
So far only printed core and one yz plate and the other one is in progress.
I was in the same spot when I built the LR3 last year, I remember feeling so good when the prints finished, and then even better when the parts went together! I also remember re-reading the docs before the build and then at ever single step on the build haha! Let us know if you have any questions, you’ll find this group is very happy to help!
Thanks everyone. I did have a question. Has anyone ever encountered issues with heating and warping because of it? I mean I was looking up CNC spindles and saw there were even water cooled ones. If they heat up that much I would guess PLA could possibly warp? I had initially bought Bambu’s PA6-Glass fiber filament that I haven’t used at all, so was wondering if I should re-print my core using that?
It is definitely exciting. I keep checking the shipment status of the hardware every couple of hours as if that will change anything. Definitely made many passes of the documentation itself. Getting close to being done with printing the parts as well. The anticipation is killing me at this point.
Nah, the core is usually good. Ryan exchanged the tool mounts to PETG because newer Makita routers sometimes get really warm, but I haven’t had a single problem with PLA yet.
Yes, EMT is sold based on Inside Diameter (ID), but for our use in LowRider we are concerned about Outside Diameter (OD).
I also had 1" (OD) stainless steel from my previous LR3 build that I am no longer using because of upgrading to LR4. The EMT’s larger diameter means it is stronger even though it’s not stainless. Stainless is somewhat stronger than plain steel, but not enough to make up for the larger size — at least as I understand it from Ryan’s answers to me.
Printed some more parts. Ended up printing the tool mounts in PA-GF, just cause I had the filament laying around.
Would have been done by now, but no one to clear the plate and queue the next print when I am at work.
Getting my hardware tomorrow. Thanks to Ryan for pretty quick shipping. Can’t wait to start assembling this.
Just ordered my hardware kit plus printed parts (no printer). Can’t wait to get started. Glad there is this post so I can follow along. Are you anywhere near Fresno by chance?
Progress update:
Built both the YZ plates. Had printed one less z nut so printing that now. Have to say @vicious1 you are awesome. The level of engineering that must have gone into this is beyond incredible. I mean just the cable routing itself blew my mind, it’s one thing to just create a channel for cables and a completely different level where the cables go to there designated slot when pushed.
I did run into one issue that I don’t have a fix for, the nut that tightens the back wheel for both the plates has gone free. So now I can’t even unscrew it and no way to get to it either, not that I need to, both are sufficiently tight. One might have a very little play but I don’t think it should be a problem.
One thing I noticed in the assembly instruction that could save some time for some people is the instructions around sending the wires through the last channel. It says to first send all the 3 wires then do the z motor wire. But if you send the z motor cable first, it’s way more easier to push the other 3 wires since they go straight in. For me, it was almost impossible to push the z motor wire through in the order the instructions stated.
“ But if you send the z motor cable first, it’s way more easier to push the other 3 wires since they go straight in. For me, it was almost impossible to push the z motor wire through in the order the instructions stated.”
Exactly the same thing, I am videoing my entire build and found that I had to remove the previously installed wires before routing the Z stepper, which was just not possible with the other wires in there.
Odd, I tried it both ways and the other way was much easier for me. We made a ton of them durning the beta. I will be making another so I will pay close attention.
The single vertical M5 that holds the back wheel assembly on, on both sides?
