Plans ordered, Getting things together, From Louisiana
 

Well I'm not new to the cnc thing, I have had a Shotbot for 3-4 years now. I have tweeked, upgraded, and modified it. And now I am to the point with it the the frame and gantry is just not solid enough for what I want it to do.
I think that it is time for me to start my mechmate project.
I do mostly sign work but I do cut parts for a plastic distributor and I get request to cut 5x10 sheets, so this looks like a good time to increase to a 5x10 machine.
I have also just completed a conversion to cnc of a G0704 Mill with ball screws.
So all in all I think I have the skills to complete this project.

I have poked around this site for 3 years now and even looked over the plans,
I plan to start the table first, and this is where I run in to my first issue, the plans call for C7x14.75 channel for the main beams, but that is a bit hard to find,
What are others using or do you just special ordering it.?
It seems most people here are also running squaretubing for legs vs the channel called for in the specs....

Thanks I think you'll be here more from me soon...

Jerry

Welcome, Jerry.
Good luck with your build.
I believe my main beams are 8".
I used square tube for the legs, but just for aesthetics.

if I step up to C8 you think the C8x13.75 would be stiff enough its web is only .303" vs the C7x14.75 web of .419"

Jerry

It is true the higher the channel the more flex that can happen. However everyone has done something a little different with each of their build. I personally used C7 x 9.8 and I hold a very fine resolution with no problems.

Welcome to the build.

Pete

Welcome aboard !!!

I had a shopot for a few years. This mechmate is so much better. But. To be fair to the shopbot that was 16 years ago. Good luck. And have fun

Just call me don


I have 25 years of machine shop experience with some of it in cnc mills.
learn to use mastercam for machine tools. I'm hoping to build a cnc router
for home project but I am having trouble finding the blueprints

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376

You can buy them here.