So I’m almost done prepping my space for my maslow build. I bought a V1 kit from someone locally who never put it together (and then I never put it together, lol).
Anyhow, I plan on building a custom Z-axis and wanted to float the entire router about 6 inches above the work surface (so as to do away with any potential issues of the circular plate moving off a work surface etc…) I was considering forgoing the standard wood frame and opting for an EMT pipe based frame and some rollers (a bit like a putnam ladder or panel saw type design). I’m looking at various wheel options as well (U groove or Cine Dolly skate designs etc.)
Anyone have any thoughts on EMT diameters and a good balance between weight and rigidity for the 10ft top rail (and price)? I was looking at 3/4, 1 and 1 1/4" pipe. 2 inch seemed excessive I think.
the biggest problem is that once you go down that route, you areally are just
building a big CNC machine, not a maslow. you would want to drive the gantry
system, not try to use the two chain approach of the maslow.
(floating the entire router 6" above the workpiece will require really long
bits)
The result (if properly done) may end up better than the typical Maslow, but it
won’t be able to use the stock firmware/motors/electronics/etc
IHf you try to keep the motors and chains, the added weight of trying to
move the gantry will significantly impact movement, I would not expect it to
work well.
The better solution to solving the problem of the side and bottom edges is to
put an adjustable ‘skirt’ around the edge that you can bring up to match the
thickness of your workpiece and provide the needed support. It only needs to be
~3" wide on the sides, but does need to be 6"+ on the bottom
If you do build a gantry system, I would go with as large a diameter tube as you
can get for the 10’ lenth, look at the MPCNC (mostly printed CNC) and lowrider
CNC for examples. They use the cheap 608 skate bearings (really cheap for the
run-of-the-mill ones, and even high end ones are only ~$1 each).
I would recommend building a COREXY architecture as that has the big X/Y motors
in a static location.