Anything Manufacturing - Small to Medium Scale Metal Work (CAD/CAM included!)

Amazing detail!

 

The Z axis travel alone (as well as how it jumps up when avoiding tip ups) is crazy fast.

 

Also, something I learned earlier today when my friend called me. He said when he does long runs (cutting out entire 5' x 10' sheets of steel), he does micro-tabbing.

After dialing in the settings for 14 and 16 gauge, he went full ham but said that sometimes parts fall out and tip up. Well, micro tabbing leaves the tiniest bit of metal allowing the parts to easily be pushed out with your finger. But, it's strong enough that it remains if left alone.



Just uploaded the video he sent -

https://youtube.com/shorts/EELaXuohIUA?si=HyhPxs75NxX6jnDU

 

Why did I not get this table sooner? The only issue I have had were tipups so far. What kind of consumable life can I expect? Still cutting fine at 1/2 hr cut time, I forget the pierce count. I'll check tonight. IPT 60 hand torch cutting mostly thicker stuff(3/16-1/4)

Building a flatbed for my truck and these mounts took a half hour to design and cut out....

If Interested you can see more here.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flatbed-information-thread.558179/page-26




Shock mounts? 5 minutes....

 

Badass!

A flatbed project has been on the list for awhile, just need a truck for one.

If you're running on basic air drying, I'd expect between 350 - 500 pierces per set. If you've got a refrigerated air dryer and more, definitely over 1,000 pierces.

Firecontrol keeps track of that which I always thought was cool.

And if you're not a machinist to make your own break-away mount (I forget who does what in this thread), then you can buy Beck's Armory aluminum break-away.

Goheen Cycles is another person that makes a break-away mount but I believe his costs less since it's 3D printed. A ton of people run it without issue.

 

Yeah its an interesting project for everything I am trying to package in there. Some compromises but I think it is coming out really well so far.

Forgot to mention Id say its basic. Separator at the compressor, desiccant at the table, motorguard, then another built in separator. I think I am over 500 already and still cutting well.

I could make a mount myself but I think I'll just buy. Not worth the time.

 

Cut me some tail light boxes.

Guess who forgot to change his lead in?

 

Hopefully by tomorrow I can start coating the pan with flex seal.

$33 3M 5200 (06504) Permanent Bonding and Sealing for Boats and RVs Above and Below the Waterline Waterproof Repair, Black, 10 fl oz Cartridge

3M 5200 is considered to be cured once it no longer feels tacky. Yesterday it was still really tacky and this morning it's a lot less.

However, I think I'll have to order another can of flex seal because I didn't think the pan would be so tall.

 

That is so fun. Some day I will join in the joy. My wife is on sabbatical and so we're going to Maine next week until fall. Between that, HS robotics and that boat... damn - I miss my shop! I did get in there and clean up a bit after the chaos of the last weekend before our last robotics tournament (I think I machined 70 parts in 7 days). 3D printed some patterns for some boat parts I'm going to try to cast in Maine... Made room to move the table where I think it's gonna live. But now I'm headed out!

 

The casters though

 

Scuffed up the water pan as best as I could so I can flex seal it tomorrow.

Plan to do a thin coat really as it's more to keep from letting the surface rust and less about leaking.

On the plus side, I have a whole 53" of travel on the X axis. On the Y I'm keeping it at 48" so I don't have to worry about my sprinkler system power cable.

 

I love Maine, between the coastline and the north woods it’s amazing. Around where are you headed?

Is this frc robotics? I did it in high school and that’s when I first started machining. Super great program

 

Can't live without 'em! I'd have put my mill and lathe on casters if it wouldn't mess everything up.

Stonington/Deer Isle/Brooklin. I love it out there. So quiet/slow. We'll probably spend some time in Camden too, with friends.

And yes, FRC. it started just a couple years after I graduated HS. One of the schools in my district was the first HS FRC team - woodside CA. Team 100! I can't imagine what that would have been like as a highschool kid. Now, as an oulder guye it feels good to give back - participating in it as a mentor has been super rewarding. Super tiring too - I think I put in 400 hours in 12 weeks, but it's a blast and it really feels like it makes a difference in kids' lives. I like to call it a varsity sport for nerds. (said with love)

Half the reason I got the plasma is so we can blast out prototype plate out of steel or 1/8 (or thicker?) aluminum. Send cut send is awesome but still takes 5 days at least!

 

Mine is on castors, too. It's staying that way. Lol.

 

Heh we do Vex over here.

 

Big fan of casters myself, but just keep an eye out if you ever decide to move it.

Tons of those tables go out of square when moved even the slightest on casters.

Lots of new threads with "my Y axis is binding"

 

Tomorrow I'll run a light coat on the second pan, and let it all sit until Friday or Saturday after which I'll run a complete thick coat over everything.



This way I give the 3M a bit more time to cure before going over it all.

 

Yeah I was on 1153 and made a whole mess of parts. All on a bridgeport with a prototrak.

This was 2017, I was 17-18. It was pretty funny cause I'd go straight from lacrosse games straight into the shop. Cup still on

A few of my friends are trying to convince me to mentor but Im not ready to put the time in. Much prefer fishing/camping/sidework at the moment

 

Good to know! Out of square x/y? (like... parallogramming?) or just not level?

I wish we had a mill and lathe at school! Ha ha.

 

what is Vex and where is over there?