ED,
Do you do a lot of work with tube amps? Guitars, tube and solid state amps are one of my hobbies. I deal with sonar frequency high power amps at work.

Ed,

Thanks for the help. Don't worry about any confusion. No big deal.

A paying job. I hope to be saying the same thing in the near future.

VHB Tape
 

Trying to attach the racks using the 3M4955 VHB Tape. Maybe got a bad roll, but it is not going to work. Not very sticky and will not hold the rack.

I'm removing the thin clear plastic that protects the tape, but still not very sticky. Am I missing something in the application? Very strange.

Guess I'll get some silicone and attach like Ed.

Works good but needs to be clamped and let cure overnight.

I couldn't get the tape to work either:(.

Wondering if we just didn't get the metal to metal tape?

Waiting on silicone. The racks are the last thing I have to do, was expecting to cut some wood today. Looks like tomorrow.

Did you rub down both surfaces with denatured alcohol and let them dry? From what I understand the longer it's held together (like overnight) the stronger the bond gets???

Odd, I use VHB the 4952 (hard to bond surface) version almost daily without fail. On occassion I have the humidity issue to deal with causing the paper tape to not come off so easily. I doubt that is an issue you have in the desert.

Was it really tacky before you put it on? Or just a little sticky?

Either you had a bad roll or your surfaces had residue.

JR.
Your correct, just like masking tape, it has a oxidizing activator in the glue surface that begins to cure after 24-72 hours.

I hope to see happy cutting pictures tomorrow.

Sean

VHB 4952 is actually for plastics and paint according to the 3M site.

I cleaned both racks and mating surface with Acetone.

The tape had less tack than blue painters tape.

Anyways, have racks clamped and will re-assemble motors tomorrow and play. I went with the 35 teeth pinions, so I need to be mindful of the speeds.

I already have a guy at work that wants a guitar made. Not a paying job yet, just for the fun of it. :)

The correct metal-to-metal 3M VHB tape is #4611. There are some posts somewhere talking about the different versions of VHB. I used 4611 and it worked fine.

Thanks David,

Just the wrong type of tape.

Little update: It's 03:00 am here and couldn't wait (actually irrigating again). Have all clamps removed and racks look good. Re-assembled all motors and went for a test drive. Everything seems to be operating fine.

Later today, I'll set soft limits, setup prox's, and router. After that may try and cut a "canned" G code from Mach.

Keeping an eye on this one ! :)

Niles,

Sorry about not answering your question. No excuse. :o

The Magnecraft unit besides the contactor is a solid state relay for the router. Very simple connect. I can not remember what pin numbers it connects to at this time. All my documentation is in the shop.

As for guitar making, it'll be an electric. I've been teaching my CAD operator 3D and he's getting pretty good. When we produce one, I'll post results.

OK, let me get a couple cups of coffee in me and off to play.

Had a great day. Getting the homing/limit "check box's" took a little time, but, my wife and I got it. :)

Had issues with the X and A motors syncing, but figured it out.

Did a dry run on the "road runner" (canned program) that comes with Mach, but I'll be Damn'd if that's gonna be my first "christening" of the beast.

I don't know about the SA Navy, but where I come from, this beast entering new service, requires something special for it's launch date.

Let me learn Vector Art (A week or so), and I'll post pictures.

Update
 

Had some issues with purchasing the Vectric products, but got it figured out and downloaded some software. :)

Playing with VCarve Pro tonight and having a blast. Conducted a "dry run" on a very simple G code and everything looked good. Well, not everything, ... need to clean up racks, tune motors, etc.

Dust Control System: Painted the ClearVue MDF parts MM blue tonight. :D No offense Gerald, but I'll be glad when all my rattle cans of MM blue are used up. My shop needs another color. :)

When someone gets to the stage that Greg is at now, I enjoy going back to the first post in the "personal" thread and re-reading the whole thing. Interesting that the first post is often a year back.......

"Did a dry run on the "road runner" (canned program) that comes with Mach, but I'll be Damn'd if that's gonna be my first "christening" of the beast.

I don't know about the SA Navy, but where I come from, this beast entering new service, requires something special for it's launch date."

Yup, you don't launch a ship with cheap champagne, even if it all gets spilled onto the dock. :)

First MM Work
 

Here's my first (well, not quite), work that I feel like posting a picture. The cut quality is not good enough for a close up picture, but I'm still learning feed rates, VCarve Pro, etc. etc.

You should have seen the quality before I figured out my Y motor grub screw (set screw) was loose. I was starting to get real mad, until something Ed said, made me check the motors. THANKS ED.

Gerald, I will get the MechMate logo within the next couple of weeks. But there is dust on the machine now. :D

On a technical note: The Milwaukee router is a dream. Very quiet.

Attachment 1527


Attachment 1529

Greg

Fantastic, very neat setup, I especially like your control cabinet, break out the champagne. :cool:

Greg,
You machine is looking great. I still get a smile when I see that picture up on your wall. :)

Thanks Alan,

The shop is a mess, and I still have a bunch of clean up to do on my setup. Just couldn't wait any longer to start making dust. :)

Not much on the Champagne, (no offense to our French builders, I do enjoy the fine wines :)) but it's beer for today.

Thanks Heath,

The picture keeps the mood in my shop light, when things aren't going just right. :)

That is impressive! Very nice, Greg.
Which milwaukee router did you use ?

Paul

Paul,

The Milwaukee router is a 5625 (5 hp). They probably have upgraded by now, but it's amazing how quiet it is. I have not required hearing protection yet. I can still hear a ball game on the radio. :D
Oh, how I love this time of year. :D:D:D

Greg,
Fantastic! It's a nice feeling isn't it?
Did you get that cabinet from Global? If so, how do you like the quality? I need a few of those for the production floor in our new facility.

Keep up the fantastic work.

Sean

Sean,

That cabinet is from McMaster. I'm the biggest fan of McMaster, but, I would not buy that cabinet again. The draw for the key board and mouse is not big enough. Other than that, I like it fine. I really like the flat surface on top. The top surface is great for storing my files, binders, etc. etc.

OK, I would buy this make of cabinet again. :)

Here's a sample in oak, with one coat of tong oil.

You don't have to worry J.R., my dreams will never interfere with your business.

Attachment 1530

No worries mate, everything looks great.

Greg,

Thats a pretty sweet looking router you got there. Congrats on finishing it up and all the best to you on your business venture down there. :)

Jeesh, I wish you had a photo of me with a big smile, because that is what I have on my face right now. Well done!

The champagne is for the machine, the beer is for you (ref post 214).

CONGRATS Greg!!!!! Beautiful work. Now get to work on that dust collector.:)

Yeah Greg, I bet if you get a long enough hose - Doug's can work for you too!:D
You know I'm kidding right guys?!

...it's the envy in me that keeps me going :)

Thanks Doug and Sean,

I hung the motor and cyclone yesterday. Will run electical and duct work this week in the evenings. Maybe fire the unit up by the mid/end of the week.

If you see a huge low pressure develop over New Mexico, it's just Ed and I operating our dust collection systems. :)

Good Job Greg, Looks like it is cutting well. I had to put the dust collector on hold I just got in 50,000lbs. of steel that I have to put away LOL.
Where are you getting the Mechmate logo's at? They have shops that cutt the plastic lettering here but I don't remember seeing the logo anywhere while reading threads except for on the actual builds.

Ed,
Any *sign fast or quick sign* shops will cut for a nominal fee.
But, Since you happen to have a working CNC table....why don't you just CNC cut a "paint mask" template out of very thin material and paint your logo?
....just a thought to save a few bucks.

Sean

good idea sean, does anyone have a dxf file of the logo:)

Ed,
In the CAD and Logos section of the forum you will find it.
If you PM me your email, I will be glad to send you the cleaned up version I made for my machine files. :)

Any/all of the dxf drawings (intended for the laser cutters) have the logo in the title block.

...Gerald, I forgot about the titleblocks! Oops.

thanks sorry for the clutter on your personal page greg:o