Yes... Shopvac works fine and picks up a good bit of you dust....better than nothing at all.

If you want to give your filter a rest, just have an extra trash can between the vac and the dust pickup to work like a CYCLONE.

http://www.amazon.com/DUST-COLLECTIO.../dp/B001399USU

Dont get me wrong....I'm quite frugal too !!;)
hate spending for too much....for what's not neede !

BUT....in dust collection, a believe a minimal $$ allowance should be considered...( see this one ...if not a good cyclone )...considering how dust can harm your health !
:-).....

But....again.....little shopvac is in deed better than....nothing !

If you are on a budget, get a cheap dust collector and make one of these.
Thien Dust Separator
A few here have made them!

I did it: small shop vac a thien baffle separator. It's work very well for the gross dust.

I have a few pics of a Harbor Freight collector with a Thien baffle in my build thread as well. Probably gets 80% of the dust. Would probably get more, but I use down spiral bits a lot. What it doesn't get, is packed in the cutting kerf and not airborne.

Awesome, thanks for the links to the Duc stuff. Man I need it now!

IMHO, any dust control is more important than the limit switches. There is no way one can work safely with wood dust/chip piling all over the place.

So true. Hey Mike, what will my serial number be when I finish the logos? 109?

Well that is up to you :)

111 just got his number so it will be above that one for sure !!!

Ok, thanks Mike, I'd like to get 118 if that is ok? I'll put Logos on this week.

On another note, Is there a way to rotate a program by a set coordinate system, in order to set your system coords perfectly square to the stock sheet on the table? I've been working with patterns in whole plywood sheets without sheering the edges off to offset it and I've noticed that most of the sheets are inherently out of perfect square or some are longer or wider than others by 1 mm to 2mm. With the patterns that I am doing ,it throws the whole pattern out by a couple mm from the far edge in some places by the ends. It would probably be beneficial to just start with a larger sheet of plywood then cut the edge off square in program, but this isn't the case with this run. Any ideas?

Cheers,
Chris

G68
 

You could try G68 (Coordinate system rotation)

My 2 cents, a dust collector is essential. Wood workers have a greater risk of paranasal cancer. I opted for a Jet dust collector. I am sure there are similar one available where you are at.

Any dust collector is better than no dust collector.

Agreed

Well, I just finished cutting 45 of these panels. I ran the machine for nearly 2 weeks straight with very little break time, 3 four hour sessions per day, not a problem for the mechmate. They turned out really good but then I received a call to get back stateside for a project which I had to leave the next day for. Now I am probably going to start building another Mechmate straight away in the US, almost exactly the same spec but I'm going to probably powder coat the next one.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the decals made prior to departing, so it will have to wait another month as I'm away. Unless I have someone else stick them on. We'll see.

The machine is really amazing, and I'm so happy with it's performance. It cuts fast and holds it's steps. The power supply I made is just the right combo, the motors do get hot, but I can still hold them a while before my hand gets too hot. I'm running them a bit higher voltage than what the charts say and it seems to really kick up the torque. Though I don't know how they would behave otherwise with a smaller power supply. A few more volts seems to kick arse.

http://s15.postimg.org/gfcl4tnaz/IMG_0436.jpg
how to screenshot on windows 7

Are you in the states?

I can mail you some logos.

Yep, I am at the moment. I'll probably need a laser kit, so will let you know Mike.

I have both in stock and ready to ship. I will pm you.

Okay, I'll bite. What's the panels for?

They were for Acoustic/decorative panels for a hallway at the Airport.

Back yet?
 

Hey Chris, are you back in Auck yet? I think we need to get together and talk...I have some upcoming projects at MOTAT that I'll need some things made for and think they are right up your alley.

Cheers
Matthew

Hey Matt,

Incidentally, YES i am back. I'll PM you my details!

CC

Hi Matt or Leko?
Just noticed that you are in Ohio? North side of Columbus here, getting close to having my machine running (I hope).
Mark

Matt & Leko, one and the same :)

Was in Ohio, born and bred...Canton

But now on the beautiful north shore of Auckland New Zealand...paradise on the ass end of the world!

Well hello from your old stumping ground...glad you found your paradise!
If you make it back to the big O, you're welcome at the shop anytime.
Best
Mark

I'm from Akron and Matthew is my best bud!
Helped me with #5....I made him come by the shop and pull cable chain and wire with me!

Next time I am up in Ohio I might have to stop by!

If you go through St. Louis on the way.....you are welcome to stop in here.

You are welcome as well Sean...seems only fair, your investment in time answering umpteen questions! There is no question my build would not be nearing completion without all of those that have gone before me and posted to the forum and people like yourself that have answered questions that must seem very basic to you.
Mark

What happened to Chris "Litemover"? Nothing serious, I hope.