| Author |
Message |
    
Arthur Ransom
Registered
Username: Akransom
Post Number: 5
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 11:32 pm: | 
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I am a woodworker and have little experience/tools in the metal arena. Also my mill will end up about 14’ long. Milling rails is beyond what I have the equipment for. Why couldn’t I use ½” cold rolled rod ($12 USD for a 20’ piece) attached to a 1” by 1/8” base with the 12mm rollers? I suspect that with my welding skill level warping might be a problem. A possible solution might be 3M’s epoxy part # DP460NS. 3M suggested it but the data sheet doesn’t mean anything to me. Can some one translate it for me? |
Manjeet Singh
Registered
Username: Manjeet
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 11:06 am: |
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Arthur, Isnt it better to use drawn rod instead of cold rolled. As drawn material is as cheap as cold rolled and have better shape and more straightness than rolled one.
Manjeet |
Arthur Ransom
Registered
Username: Akransom
Post Number: 6
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 01:13 pm: |
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Didn't know that. Actually I can get stainless for $39 USD for a 2M piece so material cost is not a factor. The main question is the use of adhesices instead of welding thold the rod. |
Bob Cole
Registered
Username: Bob_cole
Post Number: 19
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 01:44 pm: |
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Arthur:
Something to consider.
If it is possible to have a shallow groove milled into the mounting surface of your mill rails that would be perfectly parralell to the edge. This would provide a "bed" or guide to either epoxy or weld your rod into that would position the rail perfectly, and provide slightly more surface area to epoxy or weld to.
I have looked at epoxy welding and have done some on aluminum with great results. With a finished tensil strenghth of upwards of 20,000 lbs per sq. in. It should prove to be a reasonable solution.
Check with some of the leaders in the epoxy field, and you may find what you need.
here is one source I have used. www.lord.com |
Arthur Ransom
Registered
Username: Akransom
Post Number: 7
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 02:02 pm: |
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How about exact product? How about using it in structural components? If it will work I could see it as a great solution for those that dont have a welder or on places where warping could be a problem. Should a seperate thred be started? |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 687
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 04:57 pm: |
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I am not going to support a rod welded/glued to a flat bar - too many variables and risks.
There is no problem in butting two (short) angle iron rails together to form a longer rail, provided that the foundation is very sturdy. Such a butt joint does not need to be welded, glued, keyed or dowelled. |
Bob Cole
Registered
Username: Bob_cole
Post Number: 20
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 04:57 pm: |
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Art:
In order for you to get the "BEST"info you should contact the company directly. That being said I just talked to one of their application specialists. They suggested using their 400 series adhesives for our bonding applications. They offer 3 different speeds if you will. 403 is the fastest, 406 is intermediate, and 410 gives you the most time time to set up your job. All three series end up with the same tensil strength once they are fully cured. Usually less than 24 hours.
They offer complete brochures and samples are available from distributors. You need to do some research for yourself as to where to buy.
I am ordering samples today.
P.S. I just noticed Gerald's responce to this part of the thread. I understand his position regarding deviating from "his" build plans, and respect that position completely. If you are not welding your parts, then you ARE NOT building the MechMate per Gerald's original concept.
regards,
Bob C. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 688
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 05:04 pm: |
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"If it is possible to have a shallow groove milled into the mounting surface of your mill rails that would be perfectly parralell to the edge..... " Bob, if you could do that, why not just put the V on top of the angle iron (same machining issues) and you are done without glueing on anything further? |
Bob Cole
Registered
Username: Bob_cole
Post Number: 21
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 05:12 pm: |
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Gerald:
I was just addressing Arts' question. I agree about the milling of the edge on the angle iron rail.
Regards,
Bob C. |
Arthur Ransom
Registered
Username: Akransom
Post Number: 9
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 07:15 pm: |
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I agree that deviating from the original plans is not a desired option. Gerald has done an exceptional job and I haven't see anything nearly as well designed. In looking at MechMate it didn't take me long to reaize that he had designed something much better than I could come up with an dthe more I understand the plans the better I love them. That said he needs to reaize that there are, me included, many of us that don't have his knowledge, skill and equiptment and need to come up with another solution. In my case I need a mill that will allow me to do wood columns 24" by 12'. The only other solution is a 200K comercial machine. For my need I suspect that the MechMate with modifications is a better solution without considering the price differenc. The original plans obviously won't work But modification to meet the need is fairly simple. I will need to swing 27" to end uo with 24" finished diameter and rotation speeds will be less than 100 RPM on large balanced columns. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 690
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 08:50 pm: |
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I don't mind folk applying some lateral thinking, but I might chose to remain silent when alternatives are tossed around. If these alternatives divert the main focus, then I could move them into other threads or delete them. Sorry that I am so "narrow-minded" on this, but I have other projects as well and need to limit my time to do only the MechMate "essentials". |
Manjeet Singh
Registered
Username: Manjeet
Post Number: 21
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 06, 2007 - 06:04 am: |
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Hi All, Gerald is right if we keep discussing alternaives then we could divert in other direction rather than making something and there would only discussions like on cnczone. more and more people discuss there rather then to build their ideas.
Manjeet |
Arthur Ransom
Registered
Username: Akransom
Post Number: 10
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 03:00 pm: |
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I have received a tool rest to test from a manufacturer that uses epoxy to bond a 1/4" tool steel rod to 3/16" steel base. Apparently I have developed a reputation in my area of turning. Stresses will excede anything Mech mate will place on rails. Any way I will move this discussion to CNC Zone. |
Loren Gameros
Registered
Username: Moron_wizard
Post Number: 8
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 07:26 am: |
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Hello, I am having a bit of a hard time sourcing a company to machine/grind my rails. Can anybody make a recomendation. I am in the Western United States. Thank You. |
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