Machining the Bed on the Flex CNC

In this video we take the final steps of the Flex CNC mill installation. Typically this is is done by ‪@FlexMachineTools‬ prior to shipping out to the customer but I asked if we could do this in the shop to help getting a little more training and seat time on the machine. Everything turned out great and the machine is now ready for some work and projects. #abom79 #flexcnc #flexmachinetools #cnc #cncmachine #longbedmill
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[@hubbsllc]

In all the time I’ve watched this channel, I’ve come to understand that Adam is always learning and growing. He says he’s intimidated by the FlexCNC but that’s only temporary; just you watch. Great role model for workers of all kinds.

[@jimdean7335]

Adam, thanks to you and Flex for providing this content, which is both educational and entertaining. Looking forward to the unique projects ahead for this machine.

[@Driver944S]

A wash hose pumping coolant works well for washing chips down.

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

That Flex CNC is going to open up a whole new world to you, Adam. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@stabilini]

Glad to see all that progress you are making Adam !

[@nuxboxen]

I'm so happy you took the plunge into this new shop, you got this brother!

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

That’s awesome this machine is going to be something can’t wait to see you get used to it and making stuff thanks for sharing

[@TroyWuelfing]

Keep at it Adam, the discomfort / being intimidated is growth. You will get up to speed in no time. It’s great for us to see you have the same challenges we have diving into this stuff!

[@TandaMadison]

I've enjoyed seeing the process and your journey into CNC. I really like that you are upfront about it all being new to you, just taking your time to do things right, and picking it up at your own pace. This is much more valuable to me, and likely your sponsors, to see it from the start. I find this niche interesting and Flex seems to have a good entry price and a recognition that we need to keep this heavy infrastructure work here in the states. I've had large weldments machined where my choices went from literally many hundreds of shops in a 200 mile radius to 2. And... judging by what I paid, they knew that. You've got this!

[@soniclab-cnc]

what an awesome tool... thanks for bringing us along for the maiden voyage

[@kclaptraffic]

I love watching this as I'm also learning cnc myself. Sort of the same, always used manual machines now trying to learn the new stuff!

[@davidhamilton7628]

Hasn't cnc been around since the 60's

[@kclaptraffic]

@@davidhamilton7628 yes it has. But what he is using and what I am learning hasn't.

[@AlainGirard79]

It's been so interesting watching you build up the new shop, keep it up!

[@graeme8755]

Adam willl be starting a 2nd story soon!

[@James-wb1iq]

That looks like a lot of fun - thanks for sharing

[@patrickcolahan7499]

Very cool mill. Thanks very much for sharing the final process with us.

[@SuperYellowsubmarin]

What a neat shop you've just built !

[@lcjnsb]

Flex and MItronics x 2 and other new machines, I give Adam full respect, I would be way over my head. But I'm 73 years old, I'm sure his younger mind can grasp all of this new technology. More power to you Adam... Love the videos.

[@ismetarslan7]

The joy in your face when you have a new machine or tool..

[@MegaCabCummins6]

Congrats on the new machine. It's amazing how far these machines have come since I started with on NC (tape machines, no computers lol).

[@86automotive32]

Love your new workshop the equipment is looking really good carnt wait to see you making chips fly .

[@xdrfan]

Awesome Adam! Can’t wait to see some projects on this machine. I’d bet in a few months you will be practically an expert.

[@angelramos-2005]

Pleased to see that thing are working well for you.Thank you for sharing.

[@erichoff7926]

You have a great shop and it is a tribute to your upbringing and skill. Your dad and grandpa would be proud!

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing! Fantastic, start for many years of rewards and challenges.

[@jamesmiller1562]

I always enjoy watching your videos I have learned a fair share of manual tricks I look forward to learning more Cnc tricks

[@dominicwroblewski5832]

I give you a lot of credit learning to use those CNC machines. To say it is intimidating is an understatement.

[@iancoupe20v43]

thats one hell of a machine, cant wait to see it doing a job.

[@TheCuriousOrbs]

Really looking forward to seeing some interesting (and profitable) jobs come off this machine.

[@paulm3080]

Great machine Adam, you're going to have some fun with that! As for a quick way to clean the table, write a simple program to use the machines coolant nozzle. Set it to run down the T slot of each rail to flush out the chips, then run slowly down each side of the table to flush everything down into the bed auger. Looking forward to the first project on it! 🙂

[@jasonhache389]

hey as a fellow cnc machinist thats a great tip that even long time cnc machinist dont do.

[@The_DuMont_Network]

Seems logical, Captain! Better than having to periodically get in there and swill it out. Kind of like a new car - wash, polish and keep that "New Mill Smell"...

[@MegaCabCummins6]

We do that with our big machines. Another trick is get some wood strips (we use non absorbent foam but it's expensive) to fill the slots not being used to keep chips out.

[@pool-cover]

@@MegaCabCummins6 would not recommend wood, if you leave it in the slots for too long it swells up and you will end up having to machine it out with the resultant mess it makes.

[@MegaCabCummins6]

@@pool-cover If the wood is submerged yes.

[@chuckthebull]

Great to see the evolution of your shop.. I would imagine doing this in place will ensure the level surface is spot on..

[@Chiefs1582]

That the great thing about machining Adam you learn something new everyday.

[@michaelkunzler9705]

I really enjoyed watching this thank you.

[@kamalkhadra8838]

So now it is even and horizontal bed.. good work 👍

[@fsharp86]

See if you can add a second pump and hose to the tank. This way you can rinse the table after each project. Congratulations on the new shop tools. Can’t wait for the new projects. Thanks for the great content.

[@sethbracken]

This is super cool man. I’m excited to see what you start cranking out on it.

[@summerforever6736]

nothing

[@aaronhughes7343]

Love your content. Been a viewer quite a few years now and love how you're diving into CNC. I ran CNC Grinders for bearings since 2011 until 2019 and in 2020 started running CNC mills, lathes and multi axis mills. I like and actually would prefer to mill the rails in its resting location. I always just figure the more accurate, the better. Also, a long wash down hose is what you need for that big machine, at least in my opinion.

[@damionparson247]

Nice finish!

[@toast47624]

Like you I bit the bullet last year and got a CNC Mill for my home shop. I knew nothing of it. I'm a excavator operator for a real job lol. I gotta say less than a year in and I love my CNC. I live in the shed now. I don't don't use my manual mill for anything now. I can design and program in Fusion the smallest of jobs about as fast as I can walk over to the manual mill and do a set out and dial in the DRO. You know far more than me, you will kill it in no time. Its dead easy to do. Fusion is a basic program to learn. I'm teaching my 12 year old to use it now. I want him out there building his own projects.

[@clarenceburton9654]

Awesome 😎 thanks for sharing !! 🛠📐🔩🧰

[@cncit]

Very interesting! From my own experience of this type of tool changer, sometimes the tool can get stuck in the spindle and not release which causes a lot of damage. Should be fine on a new set up but pays to regularly clean the spindle taper and tool tapers.

[@rodneywroten2994]

Awesome machine

[@OddsandEndsMachining]

Can’t wait to see some big jobs getting machined on the flex.

[@TheWidgetWorks]

Awesome video, keep up the learning and in no time you'll need a hopper dumper and a fork to keep up with the piles of chip pouring off that thing! Easy way to wash down the machine is just use the coolant and write a simple program that just moves the spindle around all those tee slots and runs the coolant over the bed and wash it's self off. Will take a little bit of tweeting/experimentation to get it to do exactly what you want but once you have it you can just load it and push go anytime you need/want to wash it down. Doing this regularly is a good idea anyway on a big machine like that as it get some fresh coolant on all the surfaces and crevasses that coolant can go stagnate in and rot/rust your machine.

[@glennfelpel9785]

Do you know why the bed way rails do not go the end of the machine. It looks like they are short on both ends of the machine. Why is this???

[@Bryponce23]

A machine that mills itself ... crazy. Great vid btw!

[@rjstiles80]

They all will if you try hard enough.😂

[@smallshoptalk589]

Thanks for the Vid Adam.

[@allanthompson783]

I've been looking into the same machine with the fourth axes I'm heavy into the lawn care machine maintenance and small engines that would greatly improve my fabrication of replacement parts and r&d of new parts. Adam it's a learning curve for me too

[@zenonbambarya7844]

I must say that shop looks impressive

[@mjdthemaker7574]

That machine is huge!

[@tdg911]

Nice equipment you have in your shop.

[@csnelling4]

You are doing great Adam😊👌🙂🥇

[@davidmott2090]

What a freakin beast. Love it. Can't wait to see the magic you wield.

[@Jazzythebarbarian86]

Man I do love how some fresh inserts be cutting 🤌

[@jimfuller395]

I can’t wait to see what you have cooking’ for this machine.

[@rolandolievanoagudelo.5112]

Muchas gracias por brindarnos estás experiencias con esta hermosa máquina CNC maravillosa y en esta profesión todos los días se aprende algo nuevo bendiciones.

[@jobos98]

Awesome Machine. Love it. Great Video..

[@bobbyvance6622]

I miss the old shop and its content. I’m a retired Tool and Die Maker and I enjoy seeing the chips fly. Not interested in machinery commercials. Good luck with the new direction you have chosen.

[@Rimrock300]

His hundreds of manual machining videos are allowed to wacth more than 1 time. He want's to develop and move on in life learning something new.

[@BlueFlyer21]

Now that a clean shop

[@Snirrealm]

Adam, you got some good looking machine shop right there! The cnc is really cool

[@renetebbens]

Love your vids man!

[@tomparker7140]

Thanks for the "cutten iron" hope to see a lot more.

[@naula53]

Great work Adam! Without of experience of that I think this is the only way to do it right. The machine is levelled good and after that you do the final milling for the bed. What could be better.

[@michaelrossetti7061]

Can't wait to see a job on the flex

[@canonicaltom]

Glad to see you making some chips!

[@accuracymark]

Good work! Don’t let these machines intimidate you!

[@mikebrowne5152]

Get you some cheese cloth or filter paper for your chip pan to keep the fines out of your tank and a C-Thru Separator, really makes maintenance a lot easier. Nice machine! Good luck!

[@summerforever6736]

this machine is for demo only

[@kamper4140]

Our haas mills always had a coolant wash down hose. Wash the chips right into the conveyor. Cool machine be awesome to see that baby make some chips on a project.

[@hydewhyte4364]

The scene where it changes tools reminded me so much of the movie Logan's Run.

[@rcbax434]

Very nice equipment, I will miss the garage type of shop and that type of work is why I started to watch this channel. I learned so much that I could apply to what I do. Not sure that I will ever be into CNC, just not my style.

[@Rimrock300]

Manual machining is mostly used for hobby these days, while CNC is more about making a living. When machning is just a hobby, a side show economically, naturally no need to invest into CNC, if one not have a special interest and/or need for it

[@metriconejkt]

Good tools

[@renetr6771]

Haimer Shrinking machine, with variable coil. Cool, had the same here in germany a few years before - good choice! Never seen this adjustable parallel before, that seems to be an absoluteley helpfull tool.

[@maldo72]

nice shop ... humble man ...

[@kingfishstacy]

Very Nice Mill! 20f 😲😲

[@aussieboy424]

I've just purchased my first lathe and rewatch your vids if I'm not sure on something. Thankyou Adam

[@TagmakersCoUk]

Very best wishes for many profitable projects on this lovely machine. I envy you for owning such a beauty.

[@BrianEltherington]

Very excited for your new endeavors Adam. Also fun to see the master of machining go back to school. Imagine you feel the same as I do now as I try to learn manual machining in my little hobby shop. Very encouraging to see you wade right into the deep end! Thanks to you and many other KZbin machinists for helping me get into this hobby.

[@jeffrawe6486]

Like you Adam l found learning the various codes quite intimidating but as time goes on and you become familiar it does get easier. Very interesting video as usual……

[@702Grizz]

A wash down run is a great idea. You can also set up a wash down hose off your coolant pump system. For those areas that the mill head can’t reach.

[@h2opower]

Hi Abom, this is where coolant is supposed to be used to keep the temps of the entire process as close to equal as possible. The reason for that is metal expands when it gets hot and thus the need to keep the temps constant.

[@gottagift]

Only trouble i saw was when Y axis was milling the first couple rails. It sent a lot of coolant towards the door which then dripped onto the shop floor. Have fun Adam.

[@RippenSXS]

Even went with the heat shrink tool holders. Very fancy

[@stuartschaffner9744]

I've never been a machinist, but I designed and built software for most of my adult life. About the only advice I can give is to take your time and program for safety. Learn how from the beginning to add in extra tests and sanity checks. Yes, that will take extra time, but so does fixing broken machines and making parts over again. As you get more experienced, you can slowly remove the extra tests and training wheels. I can't wait to see what kind of new work you get for this amazing machine.

[@pyrobeav2005]

The Distance-To-Go screen and single block mode are super handy when you're running a program for the first time.

[@senorjp21]

Dream machine

[@thisolesignguy2733]

it would be cool to watch you do the clean up, I just think it would be interesting and satisfying

[@DIGGER19860]

Colin furze from the uk gave you a big shout out in his shop build video the other day he has millions of subs. He picked his new lathe from your recomendation (because it was what you had). If you have seen a subcriber jump or view jump the last few days thats why. I was pretty stoked when he said abom79. Your new shop is awesome.

[@jamesupton143]

Colin built a shop that will be the envy of a lot of people who make stuff.

[@ricksosbee3913]

Getting something that big indexed is pretty cool. My layout table is a 60 yr old concrete slab that would make a challenging green

[@Dysan72]

Actual table? Have you thought about putting a temporary lip around it and using some self leveling compound to flatten it out? You would need to make sure to prep the table to make sure the compound sticks properly.

[@teddarling3773]

Adam, I have a suggestion to help with clean-up of your flex. Remember the carwash Brush that went on a garden hose? It would clean up the whole inside, even between the rails.

[@sinchrotron]

Every time the name Flex CNC puts a smile on my face :) Flex. Not rigid :)

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

LOL - haven't you seen the FLEX ARM a79 uses? I've never seen such a wobbly "tool" for professional use in my whole life and it has made me shy away from FLEX equipment. The arm itself looks weak but seems to be adequate BUT the drill head is visibly wobbling when he uses is. Yacc!!

[@victorbaker7957]

Man, you've come a long way Adam from the early days! i am a guitar maker with 20+ years cnc use, I have no idea what you'd machine on a 20ft bed but I'll be eatn snacks watching you do it.

[@matter9]

Multi op setups seem prime use imo. Accurate finishing of one large part might be stretching capabilities but having multiple setups per part per op that could be left standing could be a good way of utilizing the footprint. Otoh more spindles make short work. I’m curious too though.

[@catfishgray3696]

ADAM, GOOD LUCK, BETTER YOU THAN ME, GREAT VIDEO...

[@nathanrippeto1469]

very cool machine and excellent content. For cleaning the tray might I suggest either putting an additional "coolant" line the length of the tray with flood spray nozzles in each bay and/or a low-pressure hose long enough to cover the entire length to wash the chips down to the trough.

[@hyperformancellc]

exciting machine. I looked at this machine before purchasing my DMS. I really made the wrong decision! cant wait to see what you make with it. I hope they give you plenty of training so we can all follow along.

[@Rimrock300]

Don't they do about the same tasks?

[@hyperformancellc]

@@Rimrock300 The DMS is a noodle, really sloppy, bad construction with double drilled holes. broken drillbits in the machine, loose hardware, badly done electronic cabinets. weld splatter on the rails, DMS sucks. I had to hire an outside company to come finish setting up the machine because DMS once they got the money for the machine they just dropped us and didn't want to finish setting up the machine or fixing its issues. I made a whole video about it on my channel.

[@TedRoza]

G'day Adam... The flex looks like a marvellous machine. With the 1/2 to 1 thou variation, besides the possible tool wear, you also have to take into consideration of the bed temperatures versus the tool temp, & whether run coolant or air to disperse the chips etc. Great video, hope to see it in operation soon. Lol at least you will never run out of "T Nuts " 🤣 😅 🙂

[@stuartschaffner9744]

There's a very experienced CNC machinist who runs a KZbin channel called "edge precision". He's constantly using a special "bit" in his machines, with a white rod and a red ball on the end. This way he always knows where his parts really are and how well they are lined up.

[@richardjones7249]

@@stuartschaffner9744 Such an odd dimension, 0.787 being a half thou below 20mm. Why that number? not explained; and what is meant by a 'target', you usually machine within a 'range'. Adam spends a long time talking about and measuring this 'target', which he is short of by one thou. But he shies away from making the software adjustment in the tool wear menu ( in anticipation of possible tool wear given the work remaining), even though he says it would be an easy step for him to make ( and to show on camera). So unlike Adam.

[@stuartschaffner9744]

@@richardjones7249 , hi Richard, I guess that you are commenting on what Adam said since all I mentioned was the channel of an experienced CNC machinist and how that machinist uses the CNC equivalent of a spindle-mounted dial indicator to do a lot of the double-checking and measurement refinement that traditional machinists do with dial indicators. Adam is being very conservative and doing it the old way because he is very aware that he is new to all this CNC stuff. I am NOT a machinist but I think that what Adam suspects is that the tool bit radius has worn a tiny bit after cutting about 80 linear feet of metal. Had Adam used the white-rod-with-red-ball "bit" between the rough cut and the final cut, perhaps he would have been able to correct. Let's give Adam a lot of slack, he's doing something professionally very brave and letting the world know how he does. For those unfamiliar with the measuring tool I am talking about, look at the very beginning of the KZbin video "Old job new setup because of stress in material" on the "Edge Precision" channel.

[@julesc8054]

Is a coolant wash down hose a thing? Im not a machinist, but I love these videos and how down to earth and genuine Adam is.

[@charlesemmer8856]

I guess your next big purchase will be for work holding equipment. I am looking forward to the first milling job you have. Eventually adding a fourth axis would give you the fleibility to mill some very complex parts. It would be interesting to see a circle/diamond/square test cut (in wax) if that process is still used to check interpolation. Good luck and congratulations.

[@summerforever6736]

you mean the next donation...

[@ellieprice363]

@@summerforever6736 These machines are not free “donations” as you imply. They’re business agreements between two parties based on value given for value received.

[@umahunter]

Right on nice job 👍👍👍 it'd be cool if you could have a hose with a spray nozzle you could use to use coolant to wash the chips down into the conveyer

[@Bill-cg6oh]

Keep up the video's, would be cool to see some improvements on the new property you bought, with the new tractor.

[@michaelscott4766]

It'll be interesting to see if this channel can successfully evolve from one showcasing brilliant traditional precision metalworking skills into one showing CNC'ing, in which the skill is mainly in programming. I'm not sure it'll work but we'll see.

[@richardjones7249]

Those brilliant traditional precision metalworking skills were build from the ground up at his Dad's shop and alongside his machinist employee before years spent at Motion adding to and refining them. Adam is doing this the hard way. The easy way is learning it alongside experienced CNC machinists day in day out for a good few months, no distractions and other life stuff getting in the way. Learning all them G codes and M codes like the back of your hand? do the machining work that utilises them over and over; trying to remember them off a chart is the slow and inefficient way. As a kid wanting to upgrade his vocabulary, does he 'read' the dictionary, or upgrade the standard of the books he reads?. How many hours a day do kids spend on their mobiles texting their friends and following their idols, navigating through all the platforms out there ad infinitum. How many times have you heard an expert, whether trade or profession, say that he was fortunate to work for and alongside the best along the way. Not the case here; Adam is left largely to his own devices with his new toys, not fully immersed for long periods, having to learn it in small intermittent chunks, revisited in between other jobs.

[@perpetualmotion1]

I just watched a video from about 3 years ago, Adam -"I'm a manual machining guy" 😂 I think that is what we all tell ourselves until we can afford another toy and then guess what, CNC isn't so bad after all.

[@tomcarlson3244]

I am fascinated seeing what all these machines are capable of. The same way watching you work on the manual machines

[@mousemade1]

Hey Adam. Maybe you could go high tech cleaning. Place some strategically aimed coolant nozzles in the workhead area and then write a program to run the workhead full length and back so that it washes all the chips down to the auger. One button cleaning! Thanks for all your vids!