Experiments in Gantry Design: What makes this CNC so special?

Making use of some scrap materials to design and make a peculiar and unique gantry for the CNC machine. It performs better than expected!
If you would like to help Sam and me AND have a play with the 3D model of this machine have a look here: ko-fi.com/s/90...
Metalized epoxy guide: ko-fi.com/s/bb...
More videos on the CNC on our other channel FE4SuperNerds - / @floweringelbow4supern...
Casting and making the z-axis video: • Bigger castings, melti...
Tips on how to do actually good aluminium castings: • Al Metal Casting: Tips...
The spindle motor in the video is a Jianken JGL-100mm 3.2kw 24000rpm BT30 ATC. It has ceramic bearings and thus far seems very nice. We chose a 4 pole one, which has somewhat more torque at lower rpm than the 2 pole, but requires an 800Hz VFD. We will do a whole video on this spindle in the future. You can find them here: jianken.en.ali... and if you do buy from them, message them and mention 'Flowering Elbow' - you should get a discount.
Lets Connect!
Shout us a coffee: ko-fi.com/flow...
Our website: www.FloweringEl...
FB: / floweringelbow

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Friend, if you would like to support us, earn our unending gratitude AND get the 3D CAD model to play with, and/or get our metalized epoxy recipe/guide, go here: ko-fi.com/s/906751d449 We are in the process of putting together a big document, full of diagrams and details about this machine build. When it's done we will add the links here & in the description above. If there is any element of this you are curious about please ASK! We love to hear from you and will reply, and it might be something we write about in the document we're making... Peace n Love, bongo and sam

[@FloweringElbow]

@oddjobbob hahahaha.We really appreciate that Bob :D

[@jamespeterson1148]

Just been looking at the metal epoyx putty details and buying u a coffee. Good info. Thanks a lot for putting that togeter!

[@FloweringElbow]

@@jamespeterson1148 Really appreciate that friend :D It means a lot to sam and me!

[@guillzf]

Hi there , Do you include Bill of Materials?

[@FloweringElbow]

@@guillzf Hi, thanks for watching good question - not with the CAD model, no. To be honest we used so many scrap materials and bits we saved from skips or got great deals on eBay, it wouldn't be super useful. I think if/when we write a book on it we will include an extensive list. Some things, like the spindle are in the video description. Hope that helps. Thanks again :)

[@kwaaaa]

Why have i only now discovered your channel, love the content!!

[@FloweringElbow]

Welcome aboard, thanks!

[@Thundermuffin93]

Your appealing alliteration's, charismatic chorus of consequences, and defiant determination to finish this really make watching your videos a treat. Thank you For sharing all the granular and gritty details.

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning alliteration master. Thanks a lot :D

[@YippeePlopFork]

You are a seriously clever guy! I really like that you took the road less well travelled and basically invented methods as you went along… That being said, seeing you clamber atop your milling machine gave me the willies! 🤦‍♂️😂😂 Can’t wait to see your next project 👍

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks Raptor - appreciate that :D Seen the more recent video on this machine?

[@alanherrera5421]

That precission is incredible for a complex unrecomended choice, making it feasseable is a completely joy I can see in your video...

[@bobr9731]

Your natural intelligence and vision is a site to behold. Thank you for Sharing. Looking forward to more.

[@gary_glover]

I'm sure most would enjoy whatever content you two desire to share with us! Thanks for sharing!

[@FloweringElbow]

Ha, sounds like a challenge 🤣

[@jamespeterson1148]

Echo garys comment. Great fun and i learn something each time!

[@MicahFunk]

I love that you didn't give up but kept finding ways to overcome the obstacles you encountered. Bravo, sir!

[@jamesgibb9737]

This is so cool! I love the fact that you did this your way rather than the easy or prescribed way. It makes for a bumpy far longer journey, but my god the skills and knowledge you've acquired more than compensate and as valuable if not more so than the destination! Thank you for sharing this and continuing to inspire. X

[@FloweringElbow]

Good afternon James. We sooo appreciate your comment. Couldn't agree more with the 'journey before destination' sentiment, but it sure helps to be reminded from time to time, so thank you!!!!

[@AgentJohnSteed]

This is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen on KZbin. This is an incredible build. You have the patience of a saint. A long time ago I read about the Gingery Lathe and this feel like the evolution of that idea and ethos.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey John, thanks 😊 🙏 comparing our work to Gingery is high praise indeed. Thanks :)

[@petrokemikal]

I can only admire your determination and grit for seeing it through.. I have quite a lot of patience but I think id have took a sledge hammer to it after a few nights !!! Well done...

[@FloweringElbow]

Thank you very much Petrokemikal!

[@pocket83squared]

HAHA! You asked a forum for advice on using an unconventional material!?! _Does anyone know how I can use an X for a Y?_ Here are the *Top 5 forum replies* to such a query: 5) No, a Y will work better. 4) X won't fit as well as Y. 3) My Y works and fits great. 2) This topic has already been covered in the 'choosing a Y' thread. 1) Dude, just buy a Y. Without watching, I'm guessing you did it anyway. From a guy who's used an X plenty of times, that's why we love your content. I'll watch the rest tonight ;)

[@FloweringElbow]

Hahaha. Made Sam and me chuckle! I guess looking back on it, the answer was somewhat inevitable: Great to hear from you + kinda looking forward to hearing what you make of the rest...? Peace, Bongo & Sam

[@pocket83squared]

@@FloweringElbow For the sake of avoiding redundancy, let's skip the usual nice, formal praise which is so obviously due for producing a piece of content such as this. I'll be more direct and constructive. The depth of this project is staggering; the application of non-standard process here was beyond anything I've seen. The video raises far more questions than it answers-but nevertheless, in doing so it manages to entertain and inform in just the sort of balanced way I find valuable. The focus on concept over detail puts this content miles beyond the stuff that other channels produce. The viewer's admission price is that he must jump in without knowing what entirely to expect of a video, which probably puts the channel at a disadvantage in terms of quickly claiming popularity/growth from sensationalism. For this reason I would advise you to be patient with getting the audience size you want (excuse the presumption), because it's hard to tell from your side of the screen 1) whether or not you are producing _really_ good content, and 2) to what extent your content compares, objectively, to the other stuff that's out there. In a nutshell, my prediction is that this channel will eventually realize a rocket-like growth when it finally gets 'discovered.' Why do I think this? Because this content is awesome: the non-patronizing, non-hand-holding delivery manages to neither lecture nor insult the viewer. It's then topped with a glaze of humor and combined good-nature that lands it in a class of its own. You carry a tinkerer's modesty & utilitarianism with you into whichever subject you wander, and our present (hyper-entitled) culture has grown too ripe with its own comfort for this sort of non-linear thinking _not_ to start to eventually affect it. My Dad used to tell me that the "Working Man will one day rise up and become valuable," in the sense that ingenuity will once again become one of society's ideals. In my opinion, he was failing to account well enough for industrialization, and just how much labor is displaced as a result of an exponential technological incline; but the sentiment is still spot-on at its core, insofar as one's problem-solving ability remains as the tool-of-all-tools. Ingenuity is the one tool to rule them all. Thus, in the most sincere way I can express the sentiment, I hope that you continue with what you're doing-because your presence makes this medium better-rough edges and all. Back on topic, and with respect to some of the details, I'd really be interested to be let in on the results of some of your epoxy-as-a-binder mixes. In my own alchemetic tinkerings I've played with a myriad of combinations, but the granite one was a real rewind moment. My curiosity here also extends to application, e.g., whether you used vibration and/or heat to modify viscosity and/or promote adhesion. Also, the use of that "replication" process as a legitimate construction technique was something that caused me to question my assumptions about _just what legitimate construction technique is,_ which is about the highest praise I have on offer. OK, my soup's getting cold.

[@FloweringElbow]

@pocket83² My dear fellow! I'm suitably humbled over here, I never would have intended for anyone's soup to get cold. Truly though, this hit home at just the right time and coming from you my friend, it really means a lot! In terms of epoxy. I'm using 'West Systems' and 'Gruit' epoxies, and haven't had much luck with other makes, though I'm sure there are good and possibly cheaper alternatives. I recently got given a load of passed-use-by, but still working WS Epoxy from a boat builder who emigrated, so probably won't try others for long while. I shoot for a ratio of about 15% epoxy to aggregate depending on what consistency I need. For bigger epoxy-granite (EG) fills I use mixed size pebbles from about 1/4". Some people go to a LOT of trouble to screen aggregate to different sizes so they can exactly control the proportions of different sizes. The aim always being to fill all voids as efficiently as possible and thus reduce epoxy use. I'm nowhere near as dedicated as that, because I have had, my 'by-eye and feel' mixes work well in the past. In principle, it’s very similar to a concrete mix that way. I normally just spend a while tamping it down into whatever is containing it, to remove all voids. Like I mention in the vid, I think it's best to start with a scratch coat, that’s just a runny epoxy/sand putty to get an excellent bond to containing wall. In cases like the EG fills where there is quite a lot of epoxy involved, I mix in two batches and/or chill the aggregate. Otherwise, the epoxy gets super hot and flash cures (it's happened to me once or twice). Oh, and the slow cure hardener is basically required for these higher volumes for the same reason. For replication surfaces or places where the material is going to be thin and needs to have high compressive strength, I use metalized epoxy (sometimes with sand (but not if I am injecting it with a syringe). So yeah the ratio varies quite a bit depending on application, but a rough starting point is often something like 20g Epoxy, 80g Iron powder, 20g Aluminium powder, and v-fine sand to taste. If it will be drilled I avoid the sand. Well, that’s about all the epoxy stuff I can think of off the top of my head. I have more ‘formulas’ that have worked in the past written down in the workshop, but I’m not there right now. But honestly, I don’t really use them anymore, I just start with the kind of ratio above and make it more or less thick putty by adding metal. Thanks again for your encouragement! Bongo.

[@PurityVendetta]

I'll say it again, your channel is fab. It's, sort of, proof of concept of all those things I've wondered whether they were possible but with all those tips and trick that save huge amounts of trial, error and fail. I've been collecting bits and bobs from engineering auctions and scrap bins for ages to build a CNC plasma cutter for my partner. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@ljprep6250]

Having done mostly woodworking all my life, and now bashing around with metal, I do totally understand your new engineering phrase "accuracy-exasperation equilibrium". LOL All those extra digits to the right of the decimal point sure make things interesting, having come from the "measure once, curse twice" mode of fabbing.

[@MaintDocs]

I tune machines in an aerospace shop. They frequently need to be better tolerance than the sales brochure. I always ask 2 questions: 1. What tolerance range would you like it to have? 2. For the parts made on this machine, what tolerance range does it actually _need_ to be? Since I'm talking to a machinist promoted up to production manager, I get real answers. Sometimes I have to show them things like, "this lathe turret is all wonky and these pockets are straight if bolting tools to the side, and these other pockets are straight if bolting tools to the face." (Actually, _all_ our Haas lathes have that problem. It usually comes up again when we get a new lathe operator, and they move tools around and suddenly we are breaking taps...) And I always strive to exceed expectations, but many of these machines are poorly setup for precision tuning. I've had to make a custom alignment tuning jig for at least 1 machine, because the factory did all that with the wedge off the machine, level & with no counterbalance spring on it. Without the jig, adjustments would barely move, then jump 2 decimal places out of scale.

[@ilikefrogs525]

Even if the chances were against a success, you can't argue with the results. Congratulations and thank you for proving that with cleverness you can overcome the challenges of using repurposed components.

[@kevingabriel3637]

Why doesn't this guy have more subscribers? This is ridiculous!

[@startingfromscratch7469]

Your absolute attention to detail and persistence is inspiring - great work sir

[@MaintDocs]

That's fantastic rigidity. I bet it was super exciting when you found it beat your mill.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey thanks for watching friend! It was 😀

[@CryoftheProphet]

This is so fantastic, the replication process is so extremely interesting, it means you can cast a relatively accurate base and then not have to worry about scraping provided you have enough epoxy compound and a straight edge.

[@JamesMorris-b5t]

This is just....glorious :-) inspiring stuff

[@lawmate]

Nice work making the machine. Now you've got a great tool for making all the future ones!

[@FloweringElbow]

Yay! it's far from finished, but I did cut out the first tool the other day - a spanner for opening the veg oil tank on the van conversion. Worked a treat, and would have taken me ages to make by other means... Now back to work on the machine itself though ;)

[@lawmate]

@@FloweringElbow nice. They're such useful tools. I didn't make mine, just bought it, but the first thing i made was a er collet spanner. Tools are definitely my favorite things to make though

[@fredio54]

Oh My Good Gracious - civilised even in the face of MASSIVE success, I think I would have said F*** Yeah! :-D beautiful results, man. The deflection test is great, interesting how much worse your little mill is. Nice work repurposing that random old extrusion! You're a star. Also, I love how genuinely happy and kind you are. The look on your face when you hugged Sam for a few frames after placing the gantry was so heart warming to see, just an outpouring of genuine joy for the world to see. Thanks for sharing that alone, let alone the rest :-)

[@WmSrite-pi8ck]

There's something about your ambition mixed with your humility and easygoing "oh well, let's try again attitude," that just makes your videos a real pleasure to watch. I don't mean to detract from your intelligence or hard work, which are evident and abundant, but I've always liked the KZbin videos that sacrifice fancy production for taking one on an adventure that one can easily imagine going on oneself. That's not to say that I would have your ambition and, quite frankly, your energy and positive attitude. Also, your girlfriend (wife, partner, sister, friend???) seems to be a super big part of these projects even if she is mostly behind the camera and keeping herself to herself. My better half has a job that pays way too much to allow her any free time and I don't think she'd even have a desire to help me pour concrete in a frame. That's not to complain, but you two are lucky to have each other, whatever your relationship is. All of this is by way of saying: you're doing a lot of things right and where these videos are concerned I'd prefer if you kept on like you are. Your subscriber count will get there, but in the meantime I love your whole approach to not letting bullshit excuses get in the way of doing ambitious thing (like not knowing how to do something). Good stories never have "And then everything worked out smoothly," in the second paragraph.

[@FloweringElbow]

Good evening Wm, really appreciate the encouragement. Yes, Sam and I are married :) It's great to have interested folk like yourself on board, thanks!

[@fredio54]

@@FloweringElbow He said it pretty well. I Paused and step framed through the hug for my wife to see that look on your face. Agreed, lucky to have each other, two genuine warm souls!

[@goldridgedesign9069]

Wow.. I'm impressed. I'm subscribing I love the different processes you used to build this

[@eldricliew6223]

Congrats! 37.5N/um is a really fine job! Probably one of the best routers on the market! (although the long overhang on the z axis will probably deflect more when you pull it)

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey there, thanks Eldric. Yeah that's right, I guess I will be wanting to do any metal milling as close to the top of z travel as I can get to minimize the z-deflection / twisting leverage.

[@StephenBoyd21]

That is an amazing piece of kit you’re building.

[@Magnus_E]

real treasure, sir, well done

[@atwomdeogratias6120]

Love your take on building the CNC

[@daver.236]

I love your style dude. Thanks for all the great info.

[@FloweringElbow]

My pleasure!

[@joshbrucksch]

Thank you for sharing! Like others commented, I'm likely to enjoy whatever content you share!

[@blackfoxmachining]

You earned my subscription! Excellent use of the tools you had on hand to create a very accurate machine. Unconventional? Yes! But awesome? heck yes! Keep up the great work man!

[@justmemyselfandi5532]

Admire persistency and determination to do it your way, thank you for sharing and making these videos, though good luck with maintenance of this machine :).

[@alfredoj1349]

Amazing project with outstanding results

[@dariodalcin5177]

Awesome work mate

[@MrJofArnold]

Really enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@IvCastilla]

Dear friend, you have done a great effort and work, Vibration is the big problem of machine tools (mechanical or CNC), next time you can purchase iron casting structures (new or second hand) and use as barebones. You will be suprised of how that small carbon in iron casting absorb vibration. cheers.

[@slowsloth2519]

This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing

[@dernicolas6281]

Weirdest CNC build ever but impressive stiffness and epoxying for sure! Congrats! Would love to see more on your epoxy techniques.. all the best!

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning Der Nicolas, thanks for the encouragement friend :D Much more detail on the epoxy technique here - ko-fi.com/s/bb8cbd72e1 ;)

[@cymanufacturing]

Excellent job to make such a big machine so accurate.

[@temyraverdana6421]

Wow. it's a amazing, wonderful work!

[@khhabachi6018]

love you work withe this CNC

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey there, appreciate that, thanks :)

[@beautifulsmall]

Love the epoxy jointing technique. Will check out Banburg. Split a mould open pouring lead once but then took the pattern to a foundry. Made my lockdown cnc from aly extrusions for the bedblock, Two 600mm ballscrews for XYZ, one cut to 450 and 150 for the Y and Z. . Bean can aluminium, lol. Made a vid of my turciteish filled epoxy test on a surface plate. Super impressed with the skill range.

[@rsz90182]

Now that you have made a decent machine. You can remake its parts using CAD and cutting out from billet aluminum to upgrade this machine to levels of accuracy.

[@FloweringElbow]

I had that thought in mind when I was making this, but TBH now that it's up and working, replacing say the cast gantry side plates, for machined versions, seems like it would make a negligible difference, for quite a lot of cost... Although those cast parts are far from accurate themselves, the metalized-epoxy replication method of jointing makes them super accurate - probably better than most machined parts. I would kinda like to make a more beefed-up spindle plate though, for when the z is at full extension. Thanks for watching friend :)

[@ProlificInvention]

Awesome Video! You guys are great.

[@sveip]

Impressive work, great job both of you!

[@rogergregory5981]

I worked on gantry laser machines the base coloums and gantry were made of a composite stone granite powder mix very stable 2micron repeatedly thay were very big machines for aerospace , next one just mix some concrete up it'll be better than all that aluminium and well done you wouldn't believe what bits of scrap have been used to put a machine together to knock components out for production keep up your infinitive work

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Roger, thanks 😊 . The frame's I beams have a concrete mix in em, was kinda tryingto keep the weight down in the gantry though.

[@cho4d]

absolutely amazing! well done must have been a lot of work. lets see it make some parts!

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey thanks cho4d 😀. It sure was / still is. Just up late getting the cables tidy and in a cable chain... fun.

[@b5a5m5]

Very cool build! With it beating the mill in that very precise strain test, maybe you should switch your steel milling operations to it 😁

[@FloweringElbow]

Hay Bam5, Yeah will have to try steel at some point. Need to get it a bit more finished first...

[@Hossein_Ash]

Great results!. Well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@FloweringElbow]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Loving this whole thing - probably not going to build one myself, but it is exciting to watch! Also, your videos are simple but very nicely edited - so sweet to always have a glimpse of a hug with Sam when you have managed a difficult bit together 💙

[@FloweringElbow]

Thank you very much!

[@middleway1885]

Great job!

[@YCM30cnc]

Fantastic Content !!! Love your vids and your approach to things … really great stuff ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍💪💪😎😎

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning YCM30cnc. Really appreciate that, thanks and happy valentines day!

[@DavidM2002]

For your next improvement, I'd suggest some of the largest Loc-Line tubing and attach it to your Z axis and vacuum. Point it down to your cutter and it will happily suck up about 90% of the swarf. Just search YT for Locline, router, vacuum for some examples.

[@MrCrankyface]

Really interesting to see the whole process, must've been tons of work getting all of this on camera.

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning Mr Crankyface, yeah, the filming certainly dose slow things down a lot - and we didn't even do filming at the beginning of this project. It's amazing how much footage gets left out of a vid like this. Thanks for watching :D PS I checked out your 3d printing channel - good stuff. Where you based?

[@MrCrankyface]

@@FloweringElbow Thanks! I’m in southern Sweden, around the Malmö region. I can really relate to it slowing things down and the amount that doesn’t get included … 😁

[@solarguy6043]

@@MrCrankyface Rule of thumb is.....if you have to document it with video and then edit the video, you have to plan for at least double the time commitment.

[@GaryHulsey]

I was a tool and die maker and diecast mold maker. For approximately 45 years. From what I can see in your parts is you have a lot of gas being trapped during your fill or pouring process.I would like to suggest in the areas wear you have what looks like a seam that you put in a .004 to .006 deep vent to allow gasses to be released . Aluminum won’t flow out a vent that is under ‘006 of a inch.’.start off with a ,250 wide vent and increase till your pour is smooth looking.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Gary. Thanks for this. Some of my early castings for this machine were truly terrible because I was using poor technique. This has improved a great deal, but I still have plenty of room to improve. Thanks for your observations and advice, and for watching :)

[@mightymoaman2485]

Cool build man! Good struff

[@gedr7664]

love love love your work !! can't wait to see your next vid

[@SparkerQ]

Fantastic work mate!

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks Sparker :)

[@SparkerQ]

I am currently a few years deep into building a diy cast cnc as well, but most of that time is sunk into building a foundry and learning to cast and use a cnc to make patterns. Love the scale and shear audacity of your project! :)

[@MrExo_3D]

I like the fixed ballscrews on Y axis

[@stevesrt8]

Congrats! impressive build

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks!

[@markgerard363]

I'm really interested in the Tool Change Code... It would be an honor to see your perspective in the way you deal with that...

[@MrChangCJ]

this is incredible!

[@ComgrowOfficial]

Love this video. It's so cool!!!

[@franciscoanconia2334]

Regarding casting.... phenolic resin casting is a MUST. Done correctly, you can use the same casting a couple of times.

[@manic_tinkerer]

I know this is years later, but great job. Your off your shed, in a good way. I just started a plasma table build and screwed up and bought normal ballscrews and was wondering the best way to unscrew my design faux pas because of them whipping at plasma table rpm's, and found your vid on your rotating ball screw nuts & was working out how to make them in my homeshop from junk and I have done some diy casting and know how frustrating it can be at times. Then realized the same thing about the ballscrew pitch being too fine for rapids. Rather than find the right pitch screws like you did, I've just gone to a rack and pinion setup because its just for plasma. On the plus side for unconventionality, for a table frame I'm using a old JCB 3c digger/backhoe chassis turned upside down. Rigidity isn't a issue :) Curious why you used vb for the atc code etc, I just tend to use linuxcnc for everything cnc as its easy to dig round inside, although it tends to be crusty old grumpy people on their forums, they know their stuff if you develop suitably thick skin, but hey, you've been on the 'zone, you have that off pat I'm sure :) You can get structural adhesive from BA or 3M that's (relatively) reasonably priced (for structural adhesive) for potting surfaces together, although I'm sure your diy epoxy grout worked great. I built a dragbike and rather than weld on the crankcases and risk distortion to critical dimensions, I bonded in stiffeners with it. Its designed to glue airplane wings together, so more bond area the better, but it strong stuff.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Jmp, thanks so much for commenting and watching :D Yeah good call on the rack and pinion for plasma - that's the way I'd go for that. A JCB chassis turned upside down!!! Now that sounds very cool! Would love to see. We have an old 3CX and after grubbing round under that thing, it sounds like a good use of a LOT of steel. Love it ;)

[@FloweringElbow]

Oh and as for the linuxcnc - I just sorta fell into using Mach 3, and now I don't want to do the work to switch - It wasn't really a fully considered choice...

[@manic_tinkerer]

@@FloweringElbow This is a 3C2, that had been properly wrecked when it was rolled into a lake when the bank gave way. I bought the remains as a engine & parts donor for my newer 3C3 (previous model to the 3CX) and lots of leftover yellow lumps round the back of the shed to make things from. So far I've trimmed off bits from the frame so it could fit through my machine shop door, inverted it & put heavy casters on as the forklift doesnt fit through the door either, and started to clean up & test fit HGR20 linear rails for Y and X giving 2000x1000 work envelope. There's a pic on linuxcnc's forum. Nasty looking but form follows function and its surprisingly plane given its history as a submarine. I'm using the roof inverted and cut down as the water tank and inside the integral diesel tank at the front is a great place for mounting sensitive electronics with heavy emi shielding from plasma noise. forum.linuxcnc.org/media/kunena/attachments/19839/jcb_plasma.jpg For motion control Mesa 7i76e & THC-5 interface, 3NM closed loop steppers & supporting hardware + a old pc with linuxcnc running plasmatic gui frontend have been prepared but currently blocked waiting for helical racks after my ballscrew faux-pas. I have a bridgeport interact1 retrofitted linuxcnc & steppers + originally a generic parport breakout board about 10 years ago, then redone with mesa 7i76 fpga motion controller and 4th then 5th axis so have some experience with the mesa and linuxcnc. And a working cnc mill to machine bits on. All this because I have 3 landrovers and a vw bay window to make chassis repair sections for. Probably yellow ones.

[@andriimaksymchuk8773]

nice! I like it!

[@mikegrok]

I like the printnc cnc design. however I was thinking of using several pieces of 8 inch to 12 inch "Aluminum Lighting Truss" to make the gantry. It comes in lengths of 1M, 1.5M and 2M. The light weight truss is rated for 500lbs without flexing, which should make it stiff enough. If not, it is still a good starting point.

[@Leo.Wolf.the.Engineer]

Is that the China toolchanger spindle for about 1500€? I am super curious about it and if it's any good...so what do you think about it? Thank you for you video, learned lots!

[@FloweringElbow]

Good evening Leonhard, thanks :) We will be doing a whole video on the spindle. It's a ATC motor from Jianken model JGL-100/3.2R24 220V, BT30. It's early days but thus far I'm impressed by the quality. I really need to redo the mounting method - I always intended for the spindle to be supported over much more of its length - and to have the mount add strength to the z plate... Just need to do some casting - but at lease I will be able to machine it on the new CNC this time :) I'll put a link to the spindle in the vid description when I get a chance.

[@Leo.Wolf.the.Engineer]

@@FloweringElbow thank you so much I'm looking forward to it!

[@RUNCNC]

good job!

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks!

[@motionsick]

Take some pride in your craftsmanship dude. Don't think I've ever seen a hack job this bad.

[@Totalis1989]

Amazing video, and congratulations on achieving such a capable and stiff gantry. I haven't seen anything on the replication method in this context before, that is extremely interesting. Do you have a recipe for the metalized epoxy? Thanks for showing this in such detail. G

[@FloweringElbow]

Thank you very much Greg! We haven't really tested its capabilities properly yet, we really need to seal up the ballscrews and finish off other bits first... We're working on writing out all the metalized epoxy recipe stuff...(Edit: you can find it here: ko-fi.com/s/bb8cbd72e1 )

[@heinzhaupthaar5590]

I'd suggest to use a commercially available mixture specifically developed for the task like DWH from Diamant Polymer or similar products. If you mix something yourself, without extensive testing that'll most probably dwarf the cost difference between diy and professional products, you can never be sure if it'll creep and basically anihilate all the hard work when it all starts to get sloppy after some time. Creep over time is not an easy problem to overcome, and in this application there's not much tolerance for any of it. There are other areas where improvised solutions have less chances of causing substantial problems. Wrong place to save what's just a few bucks after all.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hi there Heinz, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Personally I disagree of course, but that's an interesting perspective. With good epoxy and mixing technique, I reckon the possibility of creep is effectively zero. You may be right about the price difference, though my research indicated otherwise, either way, I'm only making the machine because I like making stuff... Anyway, have written up my thoughts on this and details about how I do it in a little guide about DIY metalized epoxy etc, that can be found here: ko-fi.com/s/bb8cbd72e1

[@compassprecision]

Cool project. Really great video. Will be checking out more on your channel :)

[@FloweringElbow]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ROBOHO]

Just wondering, why didn't you use I Beam for the gantry as well?

[@FloweringElbow]

Hi there BoboHo, thanks for watching. Steel I beam, is very heavy for a gantry that gets accelerated and decelerated a lot. It is also quite poor at resisting twisting forces (which there are a lot of on the gantry.

[@hobojohnson9980]

Hi friend... I don't know if you read these comments... I actually enjoyed your build.... although, I am a designer, and I want to put this into CAD... specifically SolidWorks V2022. And I have a few changes I want to make. I would enjoy to benefit from some of your experience... such as what size your ball screw is, and where you got your parts. What size Servo Motors, and where did you get your controllers and other electronics. I am a mechanical designer, not an electronics guy. That is why I am asking for such information. I hope you can help me. Have you put together a materials list and where to get the materials? Also some tips about setting up and software you are using for your setup. I do have access to CNC Mill, and a nice lathe and surface grinder and other equipment so I can do this project. So... if you would be inclined to assist me I would really appreciate it. If your willing to assist me... I am willing to provide you with my designs, and also the plans I make. P.S. setting up the electronics is going to be an issue for me. I can put together components to build computers... so I do have some experience with playing with electronics. But I have never worked with controllers and servos. I can be reached at... I am Leslieallen [e-mail] Please contact me. Friend... if you have Signal Messenger it would be a big help, that way we can easily communicate using video or messaging. I prefer video actually. Anyway, write to us if your willing. Thank you. I will post this on each of your pages... so hopefully you will see it.

[@martinsmithson7292]

Would like more information on your x motion of the nut rotating and not the screw eliminating any whip

[@FloweringElbow]

check out our second channel, " FloweringElbow for super nerds"... A few vids on there talking about...

[@neffk]

accuracy/exasperation equilibrium... yes, I know what you mean. A proper machinist just doesn't feel the exasperation, I guess. I love the castings. Can you tell us more about the epoxy, sand, and metal fill? I recently purchased some steel-filled Moglise, which is somewhat difficult to procure. My sense is that 80% fill of steel or aluminum and any decent epoxy would be OK. What is your experience?

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning K15n1. Pretty much right with your epoxy fill estimates. I'll write up the details when I get a chance. Essentially the mix you suggested is a great starting point, and it's WAY cheaper to mix your own... Peace, Bongo.

[@nickp4793]

Great job! You are fun to watch and listen to. Are you a mechanical engineer in your dayjob?

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Nick, thanks for getting in touch. No, not a mechanical engineer, though I guess every now and again I'm called to do that kind of thing... Peace, Bongo.

[@VenturiLife]

99.9% of people would have just botched this badly and given up. Nice.

[@sommersetcoker5455]

!!! my newest machine.. has a stair lift rail as its gantry!!!!

[@FloweringElbow]

No way! That's amazing.. I want to see pics and details! Where can I see it??

[@ianmellin2350]

can you provide the spindle model, is it water cooled, it looks like it is. do you have details on this ?

[@FloweringElbow]

Hi Ian. Good question. If you check out the video description, there are details and even a discount code for it there. It's one heck of a spindle! Thanks for watching.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

Expect you linear rails and ballscrews to rust. Touching them with human hands can't be undone. Once touched that is game over.

[@gaithouri]

sick

[@fredio54]

Ha ha, only now after a rewatch did I spot the blatant DIY-axis joke in the thumbnail:-D well played.

[@Imba-gt7qi]

I plan a similar high Z but roughly 1/3 size :-) but 60k rpm :-)

[@FloweringElbow]

Good afternoon 1337 Imba. 60k rpm 😲 Impressive, what are you planning to cut?

[@Imba-gt7qi]

@@FloweringElbow mostly hard wood(oak, ebony, rosewood, palisander and other nice wood. with tools from 0,4mm to 6mm diameter.. but in the current situation not before 2024

[@FloweringElbow]

@@Imba-gt7qi Cool. The speed will be useful with tools 0.4mm I guess. Good luck!

[@jeremycable51]

Absolutely would like to know the epoxy granite recipe

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Jeremy, thanks so much for watching. You can get our metalized epoxy recipe/guide here: ko-fi.com/s/906751d449 if you get us a coffee, and we'll love you forever ;)

[@JohanDegraeveAanscharius]

You are supercool!

[@evanbarnes9984]

This runs on VBA?

[@FloweringElbow]

Hi Evan. Is VBA, Visual Basic for Applications? We are running Mach3 at the moment (though looking to change), and it has some visual basic scripts...

[@evanbarnes9984]

@@FloweringElbow yeah, that's the VBA I meant. Interesting! I didn't realize that that was still used by some software. I started learning that back in the early 2000s at one point. Thanks!

[@techytools5668]

why u didnt try to fill it up with concrete or epoxy. i hadmake ime cnc in my channel and i use concrete bed

[@arma3koth290]

i didn't know that bean can aluminium was a thing until now

[@FloweringElbow]

Lol. It probably isn't ;)

[@DogSerious]

I know overkill when I see it. That thing must weigh a ton?

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning Dog Serious, thanks for watching. Funnily enough, we've been doing some machining with it of late which is making me thankful for the mass! I actually need to strengthen the bed in places where the double-layer MDF spoil board spans the steel frame... Thanks again, Bongo.

[@nin1ten1do]

Thx for heart buddy... yt delete it anyway..

[@mendebil]

That thing is pretty strong. I wouldn't trust it to make concentric parts that need to fit within each other. Waaaay to many sources of error

[@aythonvida1377]

Xin chào bạn, mình là người Việt Nam. Mình đã ấn tượng sau khi xem video của bạn. Xin phép bạn, bạn có thể chia sẻ cho mình Đồ án bạn đã viết ra trước khi chế tạo sản phẩm này được không?

[@FloweringElbow]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXSlpHSBeLKHg6c

[@nin1ten1do]

Deckel Maho.. lmao XD

[@СавелСелютин]

Затраченные усилия, нецелесообразны результату, профиль надо было сдать в цвет-мет, и купить на эти деньги стальную трубу ;) было бы проще и дешевле... строю станок из природного гранита покажу что получиться....

[@johnross3752]

Galvanic erosion

[@StafPypen]

Watching the latest video.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hope you enjoy it ;)

[@StafPypen]

@@FloweringElbow sure i did. Interesting construction.

[@mannurse7421]

I’d like to see a little bit of your scavenging like where you got those CD drives. I want to make a CNC out of garbage.

[@FloweringElbow]

Good morning Man Nurse, thanks for watching. They were actually old HDD that I'd collected from people scrapping ancient PCs... they came from all over, though institutions often get rid of 1000s at a time.... Good thing about HDD is they all have a standardised size case (as well as the neodymium magnets 🧲 😀). Thanks for watching and good luck with your build.

[@jorditrevole272]

You are not heavy enough. Let me try with 80 Kg...