Thanks much for gettiing those parts cut, Donald... and thanks again to you too, Gerald, for all your work...
Bill McGuire

Gerald,

Quick Question...

My bending people are trying to finish up the parts and are having issues with the litte ears that stick off the Z spider plate.

It appears they are for limit switchs/stops etc.

They are asking if they grind then partially through the bend mark bend manually and tig weld them in place. Something about they can't get them in there machine to bend correctly.

I g-clamp a bit of steel behind the bend and then hammer them over. Literally takes 2 minutes, a hammer, g-clamp and chunk of steel about the same weight as the hammer with a square corner. (They are right - those bends don't fit in a standard bender).

I talked to them again, they are going to try that, if they can't they can do it there way. They assured me you want even hardly be able to tell the difference between the two. These guys do this stuff everyday so I tend to listen them more than my thoughts. Just trying to get a good product out to the guys here.

The notch&weld process is technically okay, but maybe over-complicated (expensive?) for the end result.

Due to a small mishap, the first and second batchs are combined now.
I have 7 kits minus one part ready to ship. There is a part that was to be bent in mirrors, your guessed they didn't. I got 7 rights. Luckily I have 7 more kits coming, should be here next week early and we are bending those all Lefts and we should be good from there.

I hope to have them shipped possibly next week.

Those mirror parts are not essential at all. Maybe I should take that comment off the drawing....

Interesting. From quick memory, wouldn't it put the motors at two different places? I don't think that would be a issue either, but I want to get them out perfect as possible.

The x-motor pinions are on the center of the gantry. Looking at an x-motor, the hinge bolt would be on left and the spring to the right. Or something like that.....

If the bent parts are mirrored, then both x-motor hinges are towards X=0 and the springs are towards X=max.

If the parts are not mirrored, one end of the gantry has the motor spring to x=0 and the other spring to x=max, but looking at the motors from their backs, the springs are on the same side.

As I said, the motor pinions are center, so there is no functional difference.

Where it might make a difference in the future is when we develop a standard wiring method or wiring harness, but this is still a very vague area.....

I am totally surprised at the supposed lack of laser/profile cutting facilities in places like Sri-Lanka, India, Pakistan, etc.

A little bit of googling only proves to me that Google isn't very good at locating such facilities - a search on "laser cut steel cape town" did not quickly show me any of the 5 machines owned by 4 companies here.

As a challenge, I am on a mission to find a laser/waterjet profile cutter in Pakistan. Nearest I've found so far is "Trident Support" in Dubai UAE.

Iran: AHMADI INDUSTRIAL GROUP)

http://www.naukri.com/gpw/rishi/final/index.htm Hi Gerald,
Yahoo search turned up Rishi Laser Cutting Limited, located through out india. On my search, it was the 4th item.

Stephen

Sourcing a set of laser cut steel components to build the MechMate
 

¿Are there any pictures yet?
Regards

Ok, I have both first and second batch complete and in my hands. I just spent $70 on boxes to box these things up in. Plan on boxing this weekend and Fedex to pick them up monday.

Can we beg you for some pictures? http://www.mechmate.com/Forum/clipart/happy.gif

(Mail them to me (gerald(at)mechmate(dot)com) and I'll post them for you)

I will try to get some for you.

Congrats Wayne Painter Kit #1 Shipped Today.
47# of Goodies!

FYI The shipping cost was $42 for this one. :-)


I need about 4 more people before I can order Batch #3 if anyone wants a set.

dneisler I will be ready for an answer Tuesday. Right know I am moving my shop and that is a hell of a mess but I don't want to loose this opportunity so put me in your list and I will confirm Tuesday.
I really hope this can grow and you can continue sending those kits. I am really counting with that great opportunity you are giving.

Highest shipping so far was $50, still I was expecting some to higher. I have 5 shipped till I ran out of peanuts and stuff. Gotta get more of those.

Took me a while to figure out these are the peanuts http://www.mechmate.com/Forum/clipart/happy.gif

OK Donald. No more waiting. I will be ordering tonight. ¿How long do you think will take sending it to mi address in Miami?
Thanks

Donald It looks like my Pay Pal account is having system problems so I use my regular Visa Card. Is there is any extra payment just let me know.
Gerald check one more. The family keeps growing.

Hello is it to late to get in on the group buy on the laser cut parts. I have been looking for a sorce for getting this done local. But have had no luck yet.
Thanks

Dennis

I think it is worth having some sets in stock.
Looks like you are going to get a lot of orders and if you have them, the can shipped quickly

Not too late, I need 6 people to commit and I will start on batch #3. As for time it really depends on the laser cutter. If he can do them in a week, than I would say two weeks, but this last batch took alot longer due to laser guy was behind, and the bending guy made a mistake. Hope the 3rd batch is faster. I am taking orders still. I think I have 3-4 commited so far, so batch #3 will start real soon it looks like.

I still need 3 more orders for parts before I can send it in to be cut.

Hi Donald,
By chance are you doing a bulk buy on the bearings or any other parts? Anyone else doing bulk buy on the bearings (in the U.S.)?

Thanks,

Wayneo

I am not, I have got to much other stuff going on right now. I think Brian has gotten us a good deal on ordering the Bearings. I would ask him and can give you the details.

Hi, I was wondering which parts are being laser cut?

Loren, look at this post to see what you get:

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showp...10&postcount=3

Loren, it is all the drawings with a P at the end of the number.

Donald, that laser cut parts kit looks nice. Come on guys, just three more for Batch #3.

Okay, I'm in! Make that just two more.

Good Jay. I hope we can get two more soon.

Ok we have 6, anyone else that wants in on this batch please order soon, I plan on turning this order in Monday if at all possible. I should have a bettter ETA at that point.

Donald Neisler

Hi Donald,
I just recieved my laser cut and bent parts. They are A+ and your effort in getting this done is really appreciated. THANK YOU!!!!
Stephen

Thanks Stephen.
Learned alot from this little adventure :-)

Hello Donald,

Just as Stephen's post above, my parts have arrived and I would like to thank you for doing such a great job.

It was a pleasure dealing with you.

Thanks again,

Tom

Sourcing a set of laser cut steel components to build the MechMate
 

Donald, folk are asking me:
- where can they contact you?
- what is the price per set?
- bending included?
- shipping costs?
- whether a set is sufficient for one MechMate, or whether multiple sets are needed?

Would you mind giving a summary here please?

- where can they contact you?
via sales at donalds-hobby dot com

You can order here:
http://www.donalds-hobby.com/prod/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1203

- what is the price per set?
$225 unbent, $285 $399.99 bent

- bending included?
Optional. Yes

- shipping costs?
I have seen as low as $30 and as high as $60 so far.

- whether a set is sufficient for one MechMate, or whether multiple
sets are needed?
One Set per MechMate being built.

I think this covers most of it. Let me know if there is others.

Thanks Donald.

I am also about to have some sets cut & bent here in Cape Town. Locals can contact me if they are interested. Prices similar to Donald's

Donald
Just sent payment for the parts.
Can't wait to start building this monster.

Thanks Russ