Well, that didn't go well :o
The pictures seem to open up fine in a new tab. Let me know if I need to do something another way?
Also, sorry for poor pictures and messy shop. I recently have been moving things around since a 75 square foot chunk of space just got occupied :)
Mark

Looking good.

Use the insert image button and paste the URL in the popup box.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps3e9e1977.jpg

Thanks Kelly...the help continues :)

Just in case video proof is needed....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHq9i3OI5ho

Again, apologies for poor video skills and messy shop (work in progress).

Mark

Looks good. Congrats on the successful build and cut.

Nice going Mark. Looks like Serial Number time.:)

Thanks DB & John....already life this machine, and I feel like I am just scratching the surface!
Mark

Well done Mark, nice machine. Good luck!

Thank you Paulo...I can't wait to put a number after my name :cool:
Mark

It magically appears, congrats!

Thanks Tom...no number yet, but I check back frequently :)
By the way, did you change the thread heading? I've wanted to do that for quite some time (I have been finished with X rail and gantry questions for a while)?
Mark

No, you crazy? they'd never give me admin access! Good thing too, I'd have titles with no relevance.

That's weird...someone just changed it...but no number yet?
I think they should give you admin access for a day, that could turn out interesting?
And to answer your question, nope not crazy...my parents have had me tested many times...I don't meet the criteria :p
Mark

Congratulations #119.
Welcome to a new world.:)

Mark Congrats on your build !!! You get #119.

Congrats on getting your number. Obviously getting the machine working is the most important part, but the serial number brings a sense of closure. Of course the real work now begins!

Woo Hoo...One One Niner!
Thanks...feel like I get to sit at the big boy table now :)

The few, the proud, the numbered...:D

Congratulations on your machine number and first step. We look forward to seeing what you bring to the table. Great Job!!!!

Congrats to #119 from #101. Well Done, Sir!!

Builder's Log Update
 

Congratulations, Mark, on completing your MechMate and earning Serial #119.

Here's is the Updated Builder's Log with your entry added.

Please let me know the cutting dimensions of your MechMate for the Builder's Log. Also, please review your entry and let me know any changes you want to make.

So how cool is it that #26 is still an active forum member?

The first MM with red GT stripes:)

Thank you, it's been a long road. It is nice to see the first builds are still hanging around the forum.
John, I will send you apm for the build log. I will post some of my projects....most likely will make some lady bugs...I hear good things about them:)
Mark
One One Niner

Lady bugs are o.k.
A gear, now that is something else eh Darren.:D

Sure thing, Al.
If there were a "truth in thread titles" law, we would all probably share my thread title.
I'm still having fun.

GEARS!!! Must cut some gears! :cool:

You guys making fun of me.......??

Would anyone care to share anything on how they charge for CNC services?
I am assuming hourly for actual cutting time, setup charge, design charge hourly?
From what little I can find, looks like $50/hour on the very low end to $150 and more...
I know there are a ton of factors (and I am looking in the US).
Mark

Mark,
This has been reviewed before, and as your aware, the market will bear what it will bear.

I know some locally charge the following:
- 50$ a run hour + setup
- per part (negotiated)
- per design run. For instance, I cut out 100 "flower motifs of MDF"....that was 150.00

Nominal charges on each job - required.
- client provide material
- tooling charge (cost as-is per required to cut if something other than standard 1/4" carbide run-of-the-mill bit.)
- CAD/CAM drafting time if part wasn't in a good DXF or other easy to toolpath file.
.....

Or, "yeah - I can do that for 300 bucks....you have a drawing?"

Congrats Mark! :)

A quick way is to figure the price per square foot. I have talked to a lot of people that do it this way. If 3D is including that is another added price per sq ft. Remember you are making something custom and not a production run. Runs have different prices as first time development cost then cost per part. Everything Sean said is pertinent also. Do not be afraid to charge enough for the product. Make sure you have included all applicable charges including tooling wear cost and electricity usage. If you make a great product, people will pay even if it is a little high.

Thanks Heath!
Thanks Sean and Pete...that gives me a good place to start, and that's what I was looking for. I am sure there is a bit of a learning curve there as well, but I will get it figured out.
Thanks again for weighing in.
Mark

There are plenty of opportunities to do things that can help build experience. I made a little plaque for a departing coworker a few weeks ago. I wish it could have turned out better, but she was quite thrilled and moved by it. It was a great way to start getting familiar with my new machine.

3D...Pete....that reminds me.
I did some statues a few years ago on the modified #5....I charged about 80 hrs to cut those.

Thanks Sean, I knew that 3D would have an upcharge on it.
And DB, I can assure you that everyone that I know will be getting some kind of sign. Those that don't want one, will be getting one that says "here is the sign you didn't want" :D
Mark

To be fair on the statues.
Client provided NURBS based modeling scans in 3 formats to me.

16 hours was drafting, 3d model manipulation and input into RHINO and Cut3d. Amazingly, Cut3d did a better job handling the models that Rhino with 4th axis module.
8 hours set up on the machine
8 hours of test cuts
4 hours of cleaning
~36 hours of continuous cutting with 600$ worth of cutters.
...and A LOT of coffee :)

Were the cutters special or basic carbide?

The first round of cutters were from:

http://www.3dcutting.com/solutions/frogtools.html

the 12" cutter is about 280.00 US.
I had 3 other specialty tapered ones for this project.

I did find out that with a little bit of experimenting on the bench grinder, I was able to make my own bullnose and 45"/60" degree point long cutters from off-the-shelf 1/2" drill bits at home depot. The trick was grinding them so they were balanced.

I used the drill bits in a Large drill press, hand grinder in a machinist vise and radiused them while in rotation at slow speed. Then resharpened afterwards. Perfect for foam cutting at 13K RPM.

Good luck.

I was looking into to some HDU and found some 15lb, 4x8- 0.75 for about $200 delivered.
Is that about what you guys are used to?
Mark