Good to see you are still around Tim! :)

Its Alive!
 

Well its the longest build so far but it running:D :D :D. Lots of work left to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWuVlWDjn3U

Its a 5 x 10 3 axis so far

I'll post more as I fine tune things, still need to figure out my how to hook my auto tool changer into my gecko 540.

Hey Tim, Looks Great, Lets see, blue, labels, sawdust. sounds like Serial Number Time! :)

So I take it I'm #79? Its taken so long for this build I'm still trying to find everything I've put away for safe keeping. I have a sign carving kit somewhere!

Congrats on finishing. That sn sounds right. I will verify after I return to my office. I am doing this post on my cell phone. !!!!

Again, congrats

Yes #79 it is !!!

Congrats Tim!

Thanks Guys, theres no way I couldn't have done it without the help of this forum! I think I'm the longest build time too :o
I'm still learning the software side of it (vectric V Carve pro 6) and tuning my motors, dust collection system is almost ready too. I'll send in more pictures as things progress

Builder's Log Update
 

Hey Tim,

Congratulations on completing your MechMate and earning Serial #79.

Here is the Updated Builder's Log

Please review your entry and let me know (Reply to this or PM) any changes you want to make to your entry.

I'm looking forward to your ATC and Indexer upgrades. We'll modify the Builder's Log once you've completed them.

Fine tuning
 

Wow what a machine! Thanks Gerald for the plans and Thanks to Heath for hooking me up with the laser cut pieces . It was a long build but so worth the wait. I'm still working on motor tuning on my z axis. Put a new bigger dust bag on my vacuum system and that helped, I think I have half a can of dust already :D I had to take out my cheap auto wrecker gas shock and order the real deal, put a usb connection on the head with pickups for my probes and zero plate to come. The extra wire on top of the head is for my spindle install and a plasma setup. I still need to figure out how to run my rv90 tool changer with my gecko 540. I have 3 inputs and 1 output available just have to figure out the rest in between :confused:
Setting up the z plate is next on the list not to mention catching up on my software
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_kyAgEHV1M
So much to build, so little time

Beautiful engraving! Love them!

How do you go about the G-code? CAM or wrote it from scratch?

You can build a Thien Dust Separator to increase your dust collection capacity, I build one from a 220L barrel. Its relative easy build especially with a working MM up your sleeve.

Thanks Ken, I use Vectric V carve pro 6 with 3d carve and photo carve. The Celtic weave I found on Google image search for free vector clipart. I've ordered Thermwood's magic nested dovetail bit just have to figure out how to use it. Should be here this week.

Still climbing the learning curve!

Tim , you need to show that bit.:cool:

Well Done Tim. Please tell us more about your Cyclone...

Glad things are working out for you Tim!

New bottom deck
 

Finally got around to putting in the bottom deck rails in the machine.
This is the bit I bought, still waiting on delivery. . . .
http://www.woodworkerswholesale.com/...ctCode=FSH1065
My dust collector is a 2 hp 220 v cyclone, I made it with my first machine with plans off the internet. The big bag is 1 micron, I can stay out in the shop all day with the machine cutting and its still fine for air quality, or so says the wife. I'm ordering a bristle strip from McMaster Carr 7372t6 to replace the old carpet Im using now around the dust shoe. The Vectric software I'm using is nice but I saw the new version of Delcams Artcam pro, wow! Something to strive for. . .

Have you folks see this? http://www.physicaldesignco.com/proj...ents_moma.html
I'd love to find the plans for it.

Well Its off to bed with visions of cnc projects running in my head

Do a search for "MIT House full size" the dxf is available somewhere on the web, I remember seeing it somewhere.

New bit arrived today, I'll test it after the z plate is installed. Pictures to follow

Tim,
I note the bit came with instructions. Does it give details on straight bits needed to cut tails and dimensions for the tail. Would be intreseted in a scan of the manual for the bit if you wouldn't mind.

regrads

Graeme

Sorry Graeme, I cant post copy rited material, but owning a 1/4 inch straight bit would be a good thing ;) 1/2 to 3/4 inch spacing is recommended and if I were cheating on a math test I'd remember : Thickness % = ((Material Thickness -.21")/Material Thickness) Its basically how to program a Thermwood system to use it, nothing relating to mach 3.

I Challenge You!
 

We all know the cost of good software. http://kck.st/dKDRA3 Please take the time to watch it. As a forum all Mechmate users will profit from this program. Why don't we all band together dontae $20 and we get an advanced copy. OR I Challenge this forum to match or beat my pledge of $200! Were all going to use it, so quite being cheap bastards and spend a $20! ;)
If you don't want to help out please send the $20 the the Red Cross Japan fund!

Thanks,
Tim

At this time we have 215 backers, raised 15296 out of 18k, only 32 days left!

Upgraded my mach3 screen set
 

http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/2010.html

I watched the videos, payed the guy, and It works awesome! As close to an automatic tool changer as you can get with a router :) I'm still climbing the learning curve with it but no issues at so far.

Tim

They are allready fully funded but still taking donations to further their goals. Thats a pretty cool site Tim going to explore all the other projects on there too.

http://www.rrtn.org/en/2010/09/22/de...uristic-level/

This guy changed the way I think about this Mechmate project
I'm taking his course online

is this the course: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/architect...ion-fall-2008/ ?

Thats the one, just download it, its free. Lots of info

First building system
 

Well it took awhile but I designed and built my first building system. I stole all sorts of ideas and designed this in Vectric. This is the basic set also have 90s and rafter parts. I still have clearance issues, loose, in the joints. Have to read up on that. I'll post more if theres interest.


Tim
I'm still climbing the learning curve!

Tim do your puzzle joints halfway through ( male /female) you won`t have a issue with the joint sliding lose.

Very Interested. Keep it coming.

Playing with foam
 

Had some extra foam laying about. Lions head and the Ram are painted in a stone texture paint then sealed. We'll see how long it lasts outside on the garden box. The garden cover was made with the last building system. The new system is more a diamond overlap affair, pictures will be posted of that as well.
I really behind on my emails guys, sorry about that, I'll catch up in the next few days.

Tim

i like the blue light effect.. what material is?

Hi Fernando, its blue 2" 3m building insulation. It was blowing down the back lane. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeEaVdI2A9Q
Will post more in a bit. Still doing the school thing for this machine, second building system is almost done . So much to learn. . . . . .building this Mechmate was the easy part!
I removed the dust collector in the movie, still cleaning up blue foam!

Cheers all,
Tim

A really cool thread
 

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr...r+Tank+Project

Hope that works!
cheers all
Tim

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180642920018...t_11237wt_1392

Well I went out on a limb and bought one of these. I'll let you know when it arrives and keep everyone up to date on its setup.
Cheers
Tim

2.2kW is ok but 3kw is just right :)

also for the future reference, advice everyone will give you is:

buy the spindle only and find a quality VFD local. sometimes its in same price range
and the chinese vfg you get with spindle is of questionable quality.

New Spindle
 

New toys arrived yesterday. It hasn't given me any problems yet but I still haven't hook it into mach3 yet. The cooling fan and rad adds 15 degrees of cooling. I'll mount everything on the head close to the spindle. Pictures will follow.
Cheers
Tim

Well thats it! We rented a house at Lighthouse point Florida for a week! This Canuk could use some downtime and sun by the pool! If anyone's nearby with a machine let me know we could chat by the pool in the back. :) We will be there for the first week of February
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p147088

Cheers all
Tim

Tim,

I am in Orlando but I think I am the closes one that I know of.

Looks like a nice place for a week. If you come see the Mouse let me know.