So, this afternoon the pipes I ordered for my rails arrived. I previously built the base table out of scrap wood, though I’ve ordered a slab of MDF to go on top for a very flat work-surface.
And once I used my callipers to confirm the pipe O/D was exactly 30mm - I have now kicked off the printing phase. I’m printing the tool-holder (Makita) and brushes first, these being all the bits that AREN’T in PLA (I’m doing the tool holder in PETG for more heat resistance). Then I’ll start the other parts, meanwhile my hardware kit is shipping from China. Hopefully I can finish the prints before it arrives.
I did order a new garolite build-plate for my A1 as well which I would much prefer to do the main parts on but I’m not sure when that will arrive so I may only have it available half-way through, but I’ll use the smooth plate for everything else (except this current print where I’m using the textured plate because PETG can be hard to remove from the smooth plate).
I’ll post updates and photos as it comes together. This is targeting a 900x500 cutting area, based on the largest table I could fit in my little Dutch garden-shed workshop without using up too much of the main woodworking space.
PS. Thank you to the Dutch LR builder (I can’t find the post anymore) who shared metaalstore.nl - I ordered my pipes from there. Quick delivery, reasonably prices and pre-cut to exactly the lengths the calculator gave.
So first update - the tool holder and dust shoe prints are completed. I also received the MDF boards I ordered, And I requested the offcuts be included.
As I said before, one slab of 18mm MDF forms a second table top, this one cut exactly to the measurements from the calculator.
I also ordered 6mm MDF to cut strut plates, and the offcuts from that I attached below the leg stabilisers to make a handy storage shelf for all the CnC accessories.
Ultimately I intend to fill that entirely with gridfinity baseplates to organise all the CnC small parts, but also all the other sundry small parts from the workshop that don’t fit well on a wall or rack. One thing small Dutch houses have taught me is to use space efficiently so recovering the space under the CNC for storage is very useful.
Ide-3D said my new printbed will ship today, its coming from Germany so hopefully will get here by Monday. I’ll start printing the other printed parts then. No update on when the hardware will arrive yet.
Right - latest update: I’m busy printing all the printed parts. I’ve finished the three large ones (core, yz-min and yz-max) and am currently printing the brace_30_max. I expect to finish prints in the next day or two.
UPS has informed me that my hardware kit is out for delivery so should arrive here in the next few hours.
Unfortunately it seems my jackpot board will take longer, and probably not get here this week. Regardless this weekend I’ll be doing assembly - if the board is here I’ll try complete it, otherwise I’ll do everything short of plugging it in, and complete the rest when it arrives (particularly cutting and replacing the strut plates).
