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WorkBee CNC build - My honest opinion, tips and help

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by T4Concepts, Feb 6, 2018.

  1. dave dennett

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    yes, it's a 1.5kw with VDF. i read somewhere the 2kw and higher versions are too heavy, and as i live in a flat, a normal router will have the neighbours burning me at the stake :D
     
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  2. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Like the look of that Dave, all in black, very nice ! :thumbsup:

    I see that fwm891 has already asked about the spindle, where could I get one of those ?
    Whether the stepper motors are at the front or at the back, the overall depth will be the same. I chose the rear as they seem to be a little more protected there.
    I was wondering whether it's possible to install limit switches at the other end of their travel ? or is that not necessary ?



    TURK
     
  3. CNCKitCompany

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    Cool - I think this is the first all black machine I've seen. I too am curious about the spindle.
     
  4. dave dennett

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    spindle is off ebay from a supplier in germany. was about £150
     
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  5. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    @dave dennett Looks great, first i've seem it with them mounted at the front. But doesn't effect things really, i think just the wire runs may be longer. Also thanks for the feedback on the limits!

    Yes you can install them at any end you want, just change the input mask accordingly.
     
  6. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    Just took another look, and see you switched the drag chain around as well, so wire runs are the same :thumbsup:
     
  7. CNCKitCompany

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    Nice job again Turk. I see you added information related to the electronics and software. I really like your clean writing style and documentation.
     
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  8. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Thanks Tim, very much appreciated mate :thumbsup:

    I'm also going to include where I got confused ( which is quite easy for me ! :rolleyes: ), and hope it will help others to understand what can go wrong, and how things can get very frustrating for the newbie CNC'er. The information is all out there, how to setup your cnc for the very first time .................... but boy did I have to search for it ! I'm going to try and cover that subject here, all in one place. In layman's terms.



    TURK
     
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  9. pauna

    pauna New
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    Hello
    The list of ooznest AVAILABLE OPTIONS is indicated by: mount + makita RTO 700

    Can not you say that this is a perfect mount 65mm if you have the extra cylinder makita?

    [​IMG]
     
  10. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Hi,

    I'm not sure I understand the question Pauna, if it's a question at all, or maybe just a statement. Would I say it's 'perfect' ........ not at this stage, as I haven't used it in anger yet ! But it is a perfect fit for the Makita RT0700 that has the 65mm barrel :thumbsup: Sorry, don't know what you mean by 'extra cylinder makita' ..........


    TURK
     
  11. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Hi guys,

    I uploaded an update to my WorkBee DIY build thread, thought it may be of interest to some to see and maybe understand what happens when the self build is complete. There are a few things to set up, they have to be set up correctly and in the correct order, before you do anything else like diving right in and producing wonderful 3D shapes ! ................. it's going to take a while before I finally get to enjoy that moment I think :D

    Right now I need a little help finding a tutorial for simple writing ( plotting ) text, can't for the life of me find one ! Something like sign writers would use.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated, I also believe that a simple guide would help newbies run a simple cnc script, like a drawing on a sheet of paper.


    Many thanks :thumbsup:



    TURK
     
  12. pauna

    pauna New
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    I'm interested in the mounting bracket for the router from 71 mm to 65 mm for your production? As I think, this detail is made on a 3D printer
    If it is made by ooznest?
     
  13. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Hi Pauna,

    Yes it is, 3D printed part, It's very very hard plastic though.I don't think that Ryan has put it on his website yet, but he does supply them through Ooznest, just give him a call I'm sure he'll sort you one out :thumbsup:


    TURK
     
  14. pauna

    pauna New
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    Thank you very much

    By the end of this month I have to buy 1500 mm,

    It is interested that in the list there is ooznest. mount + makita of RTO 700C.

    Other parts of mount or 3D - the press which you have....
     
  15. johnnycnc

    johnnycnc New
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    Keep posting Turk. I enjoy your candidness and the experience from a newbie. I plan on diy a machine and getting a perspective from your build and the fact that you are sharing solutions in your posts is great reading.
    Learned a lot from your build. Keep going!!
     
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  16. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Many thanks Johnnycnc, glad you're enjoying the updates also ........................ I thought it would be a good idea to share not only my experiences from the kit build stage, wiring up the system and installing the software, but also, now that you have one of these and that you've tested it ........................... what next !? :nailbite:

    How do I make my cnc do what I want it to do ?

    That'll be my next update ;)



    TURK
     
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  17. johnnycnc

    johnnycnc New
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    I will be very interested to see your build, Puana. I am planning on building a unit the same size and would be particularly interested in how you setup the x-axis with regard to deflection and the weight of the spindle on the z-axis? What size motors are you planning on using?
     
  18. johnnycnc

    johnnycnc New
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    Sorry Pauna!! (sp)
     
  19. Camvec

    Camvec New
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    Thanks Turk, just started my build this afternoon. 1500mm x 1500mm full kit! And I’ve already benefited from your build blog! Namely the pesky little z axis limit switch!!! Luckily in a way I’m on hold till more spacers arrive as some were missing, so I decided to look at your build post (which is amazing by the way)! And noticed I’d done the exact same as you and brushed past the part about the limit switch!! Phew! So chuffed, fantastic mate! Your build is such a valuable resource for me, a complete newbie to this game!!! Cheers Cam
     
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  20. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    That is one very large 'Meccano' set you have there Camvec, over one and half meters square you must have quite a large workshop mate. Glad some of my hick-ups have at least helped other newbies, it's so easy to just breeze past what is in effect a very important step in the build. The other one was the 'extra' power cable ! There was no mention in the user assembly manual that it was indeed a spare, it just says to feed two cables through the drag chains. Now that I've fed mine through, I'm just going to use it to power-up a larger cooling fan as my plan is to install the X-Pro CNC controller assembly in an enclosure, just to protect it a little more.

    Something like this > Hammond 1591ETCL Polycarbonate Box 191x110x61mm Clear it would need to be a transparent Polycarbonate one though, so you can still see the activity LED's off the board. Size around 150mm x 120mm x 80mm I think.

    Wish I could just buy another WorkBee off Ryan, just for the sheer satisfaction of assembling another ! :D I guess I will eventually, a much large one though ;)
    If you've got any questions or if you get stuck on something, just send me a private message or just post it up here mate :thumbsup:


    TURK
     
  21. Camvec

    Camvec New
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    That’s really appreciated Turk! I no doubt will give you a shout soon enough. I’m a proper newbie to this cnc lark!!!!
     
  22. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Yeah, me too mate ! :D

    That's partly the reason for my last build update ......... How to make your cnc actually do something constructive. In my case I chose to make a simple text and draw it out on a sheet of paper. The sheer satisfaction of seeing your new cnc machine actually draw out something that you designed is brilliant ! :) I'm also pretty impressed at what SketchUp and the plugin SketchUcam can do.

    I'll upload some more things as I learn, as I'm sure some people will find my experiences helpful as they also learn what's involved, and what's possible with these cnc machines.


    TURK
     
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  23. fwm891

    fwm891 Well-Known
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    Watching you both :thumbsup: and waiting for my WorkBee to arrive - about 3 weeks I think...
     
  24. T4Concepts

    T4Concepts Journeyman
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    Thanks Francis ..................... the 'WorkBee' club ! :D



    TURK
     
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  25. Camvec

    Camvec New
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    Brilliant
     
  26. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    @T4Concepts Thanks for the latest updates. I am sure there is loads of people out there who will find this useful. I think i should really include a lot of this information in the manual.

    @pauna Regarding the shim, if you want one, give me a shout and i can sort you out.

    Ryan
     
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  27. pauna

    pauna New
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    thank you very much

    I have financial issues to be resolved and at the beginning of the month I will buy WorkBee CNC 1700X1700, I will definitely need the shim ...

    And will inform you



    We hope that the problem will not be 1700 mm x axis. I will certainly introduce you to my project.
    I basically have to work on wooden materials and plywood
     
  28. Camvec

    Camvec New
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    Good shout Ryan, Turk has done an amazing job in explaining his build, like fitting the z limit switch, I know it’s in the manual but maybe points like that can be in bold or highlighted in the next manual amendment. He explains it so well, even for proper newbies like me ;-)

    A couple of things that may also help is maybe adding somewhere of what size of bench you’d need for each size of machine maybe on the website so folk can pre accommodate prior to it coming. Only as I’m currently building the 1500x1500 and assumed making a bench of 1600 x 1600mm would be suffice but today as I was looking at things it’s gonna just fit and no more! Fingers crossed. I’ve got plenty of room for it however I may have to slightly alter the bench!
    I’m totally loving the build I get great satisfaction from completing a part and it looks and works as it should the quality and precision of the parts are amazing, way beyond my expectations. I’m still early days into it as I had to get extra heating installed in my workshop today as it’s been pretty cool up here in the north of Scotland!!







    shout
     
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  29. pauna

    pauna New
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    You want to say that the design of 1700 mm x1700 mm is not a good idea?
     
  30. Ryan Lock

    Ryan Lock Veteran
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    @Camvec Great suggestion on the bench size. I think i will add two measurements, the bench size you need, and the physical space you need. Because for instance with the router right at the front, it overhangs the machine by about 50mm, but you don't need a bigger bench to accomodate for this.

    1700x1700mm would be an ideal size, with it not being really tight.
     
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