I am want to start building the MPCNC. I started looking at Lowes for the tubing and I came across SteelTek structural pipe. Does anyone have any experience with using this? After looking at the SteelTek website the 3/4" pipe has a 1.050" OD. Is this within the tolerance of the 25.4mm 3D printed parts?
That stuff is pretty heavy. Stainless .065" wall thickness tube is almost half the weight per foot. Would it work? Maybe? If you’re planning on doing a 1" build, nothing stopping you from picking up a short piece and seeing if it fits. If it does fit, just know you’ll have to run slower because of the added momentum.
That’s 26.67mm - I don’t think it’ll fit. There’s only a tiny amount of spring in the plastic, and no adjustment. That’s why there are 3 separate designs with half a mm difference between them.
The critical pieces are where three bearings are spaced around the tube, as in the V1 logo. If you want to test it, print a ‘Roller’ piece, bolt on the bearings and take it along to the shop.
OTOH, it is only PLA, so you can modify it to fit with a file, dremel or heat gun, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There are some complex interactions in the centre assembley - finding the right size tube is a lot easier!
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I’d go further and absolutely forbid it! Well, as much as an internet talking primate can forbid anyone from doing anything. There are a lot of complex interactions in more places than just the center assembly, and with the exception of perhaps the Z axis spacer, every piece interfaces with the tubing directly or indirectly (clamps to it, or holds bearings against it).
Thank you for the feedback! Ill stick with the 3/4 Conduit