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  #241  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 15:43
Marc Shlaes
Just call me: Marc
 
Cleveland, OH
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to Marc Shlaes
Marc Shlaes here! Here is a photo and description of the dust collection setup that JR and I fashioned for his machine.

This was Version one of the dust foot. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have a photo of Version 2. The changes were subtle but significant. I will describe them below.

This photo shows the foot, the tube and the upper clamp holding the tube. The upper clamp is attached to an angle iron bolted to the back of the z-slide. Both the foot and the clamp were cut from expanded PVC.

Changes between Version 1 and Version 2:

JR correctly believed that the force of the fan in the router was kicking dust out the sides of the foot. Therefore, we added some bushings that spaced the foot down 3/8ths of an inch and made the front hole just large enough for the router collet and thereby sealing off most of the router's air. The change was dramatic. The efficiency probably doubled. Good call J.R. We took the router's temperature with an IR thermometer after the change to ensure that the router was getting enough air. No problem. The other significant change was the type of vinyl used in the apron. We switched from a thinner stiffer plastic to a thicker softer vinyl. We cut the apron from a piece of vinyl that is used to make those overlapping walk-thru curtains for large freezers. We simply stopped by a refrigeration contractor to obtain one vertical replacement panel. This material was perfect. The Version 1 plastic was securely attached using double stick tape. This did not work with the Version 2 vinyl. It didn't stick. Therefore, we evenly spaced some screws and problem solved. (BTW: Expanded PVC holds screws really well.) I wished I had taken some pictures after Version 2 was put into service. There really was NO dust. Even when the apron went off the edge of the wood, only tiny, tiny amounts of dust escaped. You can see in the Version 1 phote attached that it didn't work as well.

Would anyone want the dxf's for the foot and the clamp?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Dust Foot.jpg (56.6 KB, 2917 views)
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  #242  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 15:52
sailfl
Just call me: Nils #12
 
Winter Park, FL
United States of America
Team Effort

Way to go guys. That is what I consider this forum. Excellent design and plans and lots of useful information. You guys are going to make it easy to build mine.
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  #243  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 16:33
cncb
Just call me: Brian
 
Connecticut
United States of America
Cool dc foot. Are you running pvc for the rest of the piping or metal? JR can we expect a video or two anytime soon
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  #244  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 17:44
Marc Shlaes
Just call me: Marc
 
Cleveland, OH
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to Marc Shlaes
We ran 18 feet of flexible tubing to the hard pipe, which in J.R.'s shop is PVC. The flexible tubing came from Woodworker's Supply. It is the most flexible tubing I have ever seen. I bought some because it is literally twice as flexible as the tubing in my shop. Great stuff! J.R. quickly fashioned some temporary cars out of shower curtain hangers as you can see. The permanent cars will come over time.

Also attached is a picture of the 4 zone combination vacuum plenum / spoilboard we cut. It is now flipped over and anchored. Just for fun we attached his shop vac to one of the zones and we couldn't believe how well it worked. There are more things yet to do to increase it's efficiency such as sealing the edges. If it works this well now it should really work well when it is done!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Dust Collector Hose.jpg (15.1 KB, 2910 views)
File Type: jpg Plenum.jpg (13.3 KB, 2928 views)
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  #245  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 17:54
smreish
Just call me: Sean - #5, 28, 58 and others
 
Orlando, Florida
United States of America
Aren't you guys just busy beavers! Nice work. I have step up a 5 zone table very similar to yours. Great minds think alike. I would love the dxfs for the foot. I have ample PVC sheet in stock to make that dc foot.
Thanks for all the great photos. They are invaluable.
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  #246  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 18:28
Greg J
Just call me: Greg #13
 
Hagerman, New Mexico
United States of America
Marc and J.R.,

OUTSTANDING !!!! The best designs come from multiple minds.

I also, would like the dxf's files of the DC foot.

My wife has been wanting me to take her somewhere.

J.R., can we come and visit your MM and shop. She's a woodworker and crafts person at heart and would actually think that's pretty cool.

Last edited by Greg J; Sun 17 February 2008 at 18:32..
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  #247  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 20:21
Doug_Ford
Just call me: Doug #3
 
Conway (Arkansas)
United States of America
That looks great guys. Congratulations. I'm still trying to fit a 6" foot into my car. I made some progress today but I won't be ready to post pictures for at least a week or two minimum.
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  #248  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 20:37
smreish
Just call me: Sean - #5, 28, 58 and others
 
Orlando, Florida
United States of America
Ahhh come on Doug, be brave, post a progress picture!

...waiting for prox switches and relays to arrive.......always waiting on the UPS truck.
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  #249  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 21:14
Marc Shlaes
Just call me: Marc
 
Cleveland, OH
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to Marc Shlaes
Doug,

The four inch sucked plenty well and it might be a little simpler. Also, J.R. reminded me that the new vinyl seems to have an anti-static coating. That makes sense. You wouldn't want to get zapped every time you walk thru. You can tell that dust stuck to the V1 apron but none stuck to V2.

If you get yours from a refrigeration contractor, chances are it will be the same.

Tomorrow, I'll get some text (explanation) on the dxf and and post it.

Oh, by the way, Woodworkers Supply sells two grades of 4in. flexible tubing. As you might guess, the really flexible stuff is the most expensive.
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  #250  
Old Sun 17 February 2008, 22:23
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
I can sense the euphoria!

The rest of the dust foot discussion moved to an existing thread here.
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  #251  
Old Mon 18 February 2008, 20:27
Greg J
Just call me: Greg #13
 
Hagerman, New Mexico
United States of America
J.R.,

Both my wife and I can cook. Let me get my MM operational and cutting so I can talk CNC intelligently and we are on our way to camp J.R. Oh yea, let baseball get underway also so we can catch as many ball parks as possible along the way.

Thanks for info on your DC system. Just trying to get a "feel" for the velocities and forces associated with the volume of air that is moved.
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  #252  
Old Tue 26 February 2008, 04:28
J.R. Hatcher
Just call me: J.R. #4
 
Wilmington, North Carolina
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to J.R. Hatcher
I almost hate to ask this guestion. Do the racks need to be lightly oiled?? DUCK FOOL
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  #253  
Old Tue 26 February 2008, 05:07
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
Hate to tell you this, but oil ain't good enough - lightly greased is the thing. It improves cut quality, lengthens pinion life and puts snazzy patterns on your shirt!
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  #254  
Old Tue 26 February 2008, 05:11
cbboatworks
Just call me: Gene
 
Wilmington NC
United States of America
Jr

Check out the link below

http://www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html

Wheel Covers

Wheel covers provide lubrication to the Vee interface between the track and the v bearing guide wheel to help keep your DualVee system running at its best. The guide wheel is protected from direct contact with particulate or spray. Wheel covers come in a variety of sizes and heights to accommodate various bushings and integral guide wheels.

Lubricators

Lubricators, like wheel covers, provide lubrication to the Vee interface between the track and the v bearing guide wheel to help keep your DualVee system running at its best. Lubricators come in a variety of sizes and heights to accommodate various bushings, journals, and integral guide wheels.
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  #255  
Old Tue 26 February 2008, 07:30
domino11
Just call me: Heath
 
Cornwall, Ontario
Canada
Gerald,
What type of grease would you recommend? Lithium, Moly, Bearing? Is there any pro or con from one to another?

Heath.
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  #256  
Old Tue 26 February 2008, 07:56
Bernhard
Just call me: Bernhard
 
Rougemont, North Carolina
United States of America
Would a dry film lubricant such as Dow 321 be appropriate? I am using this on all of my woodworking equipment with great success; saw dust, chips, etc. do not stick to it. I generally remove all grease and oil on new machinery and replace it with with Dow 321.
Cheers,
Bernhard
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  #257  
Old Tue 26 February 2008, 08:32
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
The best grease in this case is the cleanest one. You guys apparently have access to some motorcycle chain greases that are dryish and don't collect dirt. Every 6 months, when we dab a bit of grease on, we say "wow, what a difference, we really should do this every week!"
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  #258  
Old Wed 27 February 2008, 04:54
J.R. Hatcher
Just call me: J.R. #4
 
Wilmington, North Carolina
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to J.R. Hatcher
Design by J.R. and Marc:
Just a few pics of the 4th gen dust foot. Now that it works it will be re-cut and the black insert and the rest of the foot will be cut as one. It has a limited amount of float, about 1", it also has about 2.5" of adjustment ( so the bottom of the skirt can be flush with the bottom of the cutter). It takes 5 seconds to remove it (bit change) and 15 seconds to put it back in place and adj the height.

Special notes
1. The router brackets are laser cut from 1/2" steel. (US $14 for all 4 pcs)
2. The foot is held in place with hitch pins through the adjustment holes (8).
3. The last pic is an attachment (4, 1 in each corner) under the table used to align a 3/8" drill bit to drill a hole all the way through the spoil board, then a wooden dowel is driven down to hold everything together(not glued).
Attached Images
File Type: jpg MechMate1 004.JPG (22.9 KB, 3066 views)
File Type: jpg MechMate1 006.JPG (23.3 KB, 3063 views)
File Type: jpg MechMate1 009.JPG (151.0 KB, 3070 views)
File Type: jpg MechMate1 011.JPG (149.3 KB, 3069 views)
File Type: jpg MechMate1 012.JPG (22.5 KB, 3038 views)
File Type: jpg MechMate1 016.JPG (22.9 KB, 3052 views)
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  #259  
Old Wed 27 February 2008, 05:08
sailfl
Just call me: Nils #12
 
Winter Park, FL
United States of America
J.R.

Very nice. You guys have done a nice job.
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  #260  
Old Wed 27 February 2008, 07:54
domino11
Just call me: Heath
 
Cornwall, Ontario
Canada
JR,
Great looking dust foot. You guys are really moving along. One question though, the attachment under the table, in the corners, what exactly is that for? I know I am going to feel dumb for asking this.

Heath
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  #261  
Old Wed 27 February 2008, 08:46
J.R. Hatcher
Just call me: J.R. #4
 
Wilmington, North Carolina
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to J.R. Hatcher
Heath my machine has a 3/4" board bolted to the cross channels, then a 1/2" plenum glued to that, then the 3/4" spoil board just sitting there. This thing allows a hole to be drilled all the way through, then a wooden dowel is driven in to hold the spoil board in place.
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  #262  
Old Wed 27 February 2008, 11:29
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
JR, I suppose you intend to drill from the bottom after the hole location has been obscured by a new spoilboard stuck on top?
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  #263  
Old Wed 27 February 2008, 15:04
J.R. Hatcher
Just call me: J.R. #4
 
Wilmington, North Carolina
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to J.R. Hatcher
Gerald that is correct it will be the guide, it's not meant to hold the spoil board down only in position. The wooden dowel comes all the way to the top so as you resurface the table the dowels just get cut too . It was made by machining a 3/8" hole in a 3/4" rod probably 2" long then turning a shoulder on 1 end to fit into the hole of a flat washer, welded around the inside of the washer, drilled a few mounting holes, threw on some Ford blue paint and it was a done deal.
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  #264  
Old Thu 06 March 2008, 21:08
J.R. Hatcher
Just call me: J.R. #4
 
Wilmington, North Carolina
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to J.R. Hatcher
This is a few pictures of the latest additions.
The inside computer is working great (brainstorm of Marc and I). I have also mounted the monitor on the door of my control box using a regular wall-mount for a TV (Wal-Mart.com $38), keyboard and mouse will follow beneath.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg MechMate1 008.JPG (128.5 KB, 2989 views)
File Type: jpg MechMate1 004.JPG (136.3 KB, 2959 views)
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  #265  
Old Thu 06 March 2008, 21:51
Gerald D
Just call me: Gerald (retired)
 
Cape Town
South Africa
JR, you sure know how to cheer a bloke up - thanks!
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  #266  
Old Fri 07 March 2008, 03:02
sailfl
Just call me: Nils #12
 
Winter Park, FL
United States of America
JR

That setup looks great. I like the size of your Monitor. Nice and big.

Great Job!
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  #267  
Old Fri 07 March 2008, 03:53
cncb
Just call me: Brian
 
Connecticut
United States of America
Awesome work JR, the monitor is cool. Do you suspect you will get any electronic resonance putting the computer (I think thats what you did) inside the controller together. I've heard of people putting everything inside one tower sort of like the older shopbots do; always wondered if those bits and areas of unshielded cable to hook up to each pin terminal was enough to communicate. Is the monitor touch screen like greolts ?
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  #268  
Old Fri 07 March 2008, 04:49
J.R. Hatcher
Just call me: J.R. #4
 
Wilmington, North Carolina
United States of America
Send a message via Skype™ to J.R. Hatcher
Thanks guys.
Brian I have been running it this way for over 2 weeks with no problems at all, debounce in mach3 is set to 500. I have a new touch screen monitor but decided not to use it, this setup will work better for me.
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  #269  
Old Fri 07 March 2008, 05:01
sailfl
Just call me: Nils #12
 
Winter Park, FL
United States of America
JR,

The monitor you are showing looks like it is a touch screen. Your system must be easy to work with. I hope that when I build mine it will be as nice as yours.

Thanks for the inspiration.
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  #270  
Old Fri 07 March 2008, 08:11
cobra427mnsi
Just call me: Paul
 
Leamington, Ontario
Canada
JR
That sure is a nice looking machine. You must be proud of it. I would be, if it were mine. I hope mine looks as good as yours. I have been sidetracked from the MeckMate. My wife has me remodeling a bathroom. However, I did just pick up my laser cut pieces from the shop that was doing the bending.

Paul
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