I have been doing a lot of reading and video watching … getting closer to making the plunge.
I am going to be printing parts for some boat building, the plans all include nice nested patterns for 8x4 sheets … and the really make great use of the wood, and the parts get very close to the edge.
It looks like many of the 8x4 builds will fit an 8x4 sheet … but would actually not be able to address the full 8x4 sheet
Any advice on making sure the resulting build can truly address the full 8x4 sheet?
I think the build calculator will tell you how big your machine needs to be in order to cut a full 4x8 sheet.
My table is roughly 5ft by 10ft. Which is slightly bigger than I actually needed. Keeping it flat along it’s length is the biggest challenge IMHO.
Yep, trust the calculator and put in about 50"x98" to have some wiggle room. It will end up about 9’x5’. Tyler’s type of table is great because it is easier to make an oversized frame and you only need a spoil board the size of the work area, or 4’x8’. Also, MDF can be found a bit bigger. I think there are sheets just 1" over and special places you can order 5’x10’ sheets.
thanks !
This thread is very helpful to me. I am a newbie. I set a goal of being able to work with full 4’x8’ sheets.
I already placed an online order for 14’ feet worth of 1" OD stainless steel tubing — coming in two (2x) pieces at 7’ long each. Then I saw this thread.
So whenever I input 50"x98" into the calculator (to have some wiggle room) and then leave the Z height at the default 3.5" — it means I would come up short on my steel by about 1.25" on each of the tubes.
My question is, how would you all suggest I best optimize the 14’ of steel tubing I have coming? Reduce the Z height? Or the X&Y? Or a little on all of them?
Remember, I’m a newbie. I just started 3D printing about 3 months ago and I’ve not yet done any CNC work. All advice much appreciated.
I had noticed that some pre-built CNC machines come with a workable Z height area of 3".
If I set my Z down from 3.5 to 3, and set my X and Y down to 49.75 x 97.75, it lands me at just barely having enough. Does that sound like a good, workable plan?
Cut the cross pieces to get your full width of cut. Split the shortage evenly between the Z pipes. That has you replacing the shortest amount if you can’t get the depth of cut you need with the current materials while maximizing possible Z height. To replace the absolute minimum, put all the “shortage” on one Z pipe - you’ll only have to replace one if you don’t get the reach you want, but it will have a bigger impact on achievable height.
The calculator will be able to tell you what height you can get, you don’t need to experiment to find out.
Great advice! Thank you! That’s a clever approach.
That looks like a well used machine ! Are those 2x10s along your side? any other tips for something this big?
2x12s I think. Which are probably way overkill. I rescued them from the dumpster at work.
My advice. Don’t waste too much time trying to get everything exactly perfect. Build that sucker and make some chips.
thanks … I am printing as fast as I can !
That is a lesson we could all use from time to time !
