Working On A Drag Knife for Vinyl! #117 - Bassett, VA

[Tom Ayres]

Thanks Pete, I'll start with the basics and work my way up. Its probably something put together in a standing slumber. Oh well, I'm sure a detailed review with plenty of sleep will shed some light.

[Tom Ayres]

Well it was something very stupid, took less than a minute to figure it out after 4 to 5 hours sleep, sleep works every time.

This is a special occasion, I do have Movement and the spindle is controlled by mach. Yahoo!

Still have to have to determine the proxy/home set-up. I'm confused, of course, after the PMDX guy told me to set the a & y together and the others individually. Does this sound right?

Right now I have all the proxys wired NPN NO parallel together, I did this according to one of the schematics in either the pmdx or mach manual or additional notes. Should I wire them individually and assign their own pin? right now I do not have the z proxied but will eventually.

[Tom Ayres]

There's a butt load that I still have to do, the machine hold and run buttons, the zero plate set-up, calibrate the steppers (make a circle a circle, a triangle a triangle, etc). Its currently set up as direct drive but one of the first things I'm going to make after all this is done is cut the belt reduction plates on the MM.

I'll get a video together as soon as I clean up the shop a bit and post it somewhere. I'm going back out to the shop! Talk later...

[darren salyer]

Almost there. Everything except the buttons falls in the tuning category.

[pblackburn]

A for Mach is reserved for the indexing axis

X and B are together and B is slaved to X
Y is the shorter motion across the table. The Y car

[Tom Ayres]

After giving it a closer look I decided to wire the proxys separate, gives me better control. More wiring changes needed now. Did air cut the "road runner" tool path just to see it go, cool I guess.

Seems I have strut issue, its rubbing on the spider, I just eyeballed the bore where the strut mounts, it seems I was not close enough to the end of the tab. The easiest fix I see is to alter the bracket at the top of the z tube, ie. gently bend it with a hammer or something .

Pete you are right, that's a simple config change, easier "A" to "B" now before I get too far into it.

Looks like there's a whole lot to learn, apparently this is just the beginning.

[pblackburn]

It is easier now. I waited until I started my A project then had to change it and forgot what I thought I knew by then.

Did you say it moved? It's alive! Good Job

[Tom Ayres]

Oh yeah its moving just fine, a little too fine, I already found the hard stops for the z. The proxys are absolutely needed just for my own safety, lol.

[KenC]

The hard stops are the only real safety anyone can depend their life on.

[pblackburn]

And now starts the learning curve...

[Tom Ayres]

Lesson 1: Don't change settings you're unfamiliar with. I've learned that if you change settings you sometimes don't get the desired results.

[Tom Ayres]

Well Here it is, not completely together but enough to start its first cuts. There's still a lot to get it 100%, but that's just time and a lot of head scratching. Here is the video link http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomas_...n/photostream/

I know there's a lot to do and learn yet so I'll thank all involved in my disabilities . for their help and for future assistance.

[darren salyer]

Pretty Sweet, Sir.
It's a great feeling, isn't it?
Now, logos and a serial #...

[Tom Ayres]

Thanks, like I said I still have a lot to do to get it completed but I could use it as it is in a pinch. None too soon either, have customers breathing down my neck for stuff. But I want as much completed as possible before I start using it, otherwise it would never get done.

[darren salyer]

Welcome to my world.

ENJOY!!!

[hflwaterski]

Congrats Tom! Hoping to finally get there soon myself. Make sure to show us your work. I love seeing how everyone is using their machines.

[dbinokc]

Congrats Tom. I am not too far behind you.

[pblackburn]

Tom,
I don't believe it. Your long build is now finished. Well serial number wise at least, it cuts wood, moves, and has Mechmate logos on it. Well done sir. I look to see some very interesting stuff from you. Great job and most of all congratulations.

[KenC]

Your built was so long that I mistaken this is your 3rd built
Congrats!!!

[Tom Ayres]

Thanks Guys, Ken I also thought is was my third. I think I built it in my mind at least a dozen times.

[lonestaral]

Congratulations mate,
Will there be photographs of the beast forthcoming ?

[Tom Ayres]

Yes but not until I get things cleaned up and rockin'. I want to change some things already, nothing an afternoon wouldn't take care of. The size of this thing certainly changes the work flow in the shop so I may have to rethink some things there as well. Once I get rolling I'll have at least 3-4 months first round of repeating work lined up and quickly growing.

[lonestaral]

To hell with the hoover and brush.
What colour is it.

[Tom Ayres]

LOL Its Blue and Black with touches of Aluminum and Raw Steel, ARRRR!!! I'll see if I can put something up today just for you.

[lonestaral]

Ah !
Gone with the 'Workshop Camouflage' colour scheme.
Make sure you know where it is so you can find it again.

[Tom Ayres]

Yes it is true, I do try to hide my work...and any other thing I might be looking for...My compressor is blue as well but big (about half the size of my Mini Cooper, lol) so I cant miss it...noisy too (not the car).

[KenC]

4th coming! LOL
*pun intended!

[Tom Ayres]

When do I get a serial number? I would like to get it for at least the first one.

[pblackburn]

I still cannot get used to seeing your thread in Already Cutting.

[darren salyer]

Certainly looks like you are qualified for a # to me....(at LEAST one)