I made a critical error in my measurements before the build. The width of my x-axis is shorter than I anticipated, so my gantry beams are too long. Now I have to make the necessary modifications.
Ouch
I cut it twice and it is still too short!
What do you plan on cutting with that beast?
Nothing until I figure out how to overcome my oversight.
@George_Allen thinking it will be rigid enough for steel?
I don’t know. My main goal was to cut aluminum and all types of wood and plastics.
It will all come together, mistakes happen. Just enjoy the time building it. That’s the way I had to start looking it when I got a family.
I’m so frustrated
I understand your pain. I cut some t slot wrong the other day… 3 times…
I appreciate the comments and encouragement
@Mark_Leino my bench top RF-32 mill/drill is solid cast iron and weighs close to a half a ton. It is a bit on the light side for cutting steel though. I ran a K&T number 3 once that had no problem working steel. It made Bridgeport mills look tiny.
@Paul_Frederick I pretty much knew the answer to that already. Aluminum profile I don’t think can be built strong enough (let alone have enough mass) to cut steel. I’m always just dreaming
@Mark_Leino This Old Tony on YouTube made a steel tube machine capable of milling steel. He filled it with sand. He also went with a fixed gantry design too. THK linear guides, ball screws, the works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZJCxMN9NWk
@Paul_Frederick thanks for sharing that is pretty cool
@Mark_Leino as far as homemade CNC machines go Tony’s is pretty put together. He had the advantage of being very familiar with machinery in general before he started. So he had a more realistic view of what he needed to do.