off to start my large cnc router/plasma cnc table.
i picked up 160 ft scrap 1 1/2 square tubing this week for 45 bucks.
and a few weeks ago i found two 72" thomson ball screws for 10 bucks.
1" linear bearings and some 1/2" bearings for free.
i'm gonna build the stepper drivers, need to find 3 - 500 oz steppers yet,
but gonna build the table first.

i already have one small cnc table for electronics, and built those drivers and they work great.
need to purchase mach 2/3 software also, i like the demo software it works great.
i'll post pics as i go.

i've started the base already, and wow 6 x 6 is gonna take up some shop/garage room.

72" ball screw

bearings

need to find some plate aluminium for the z axis. gonna take a look at the local scrap yards to see
if i can salvage some.
i was gonna build a smaller one untill i got the 6' screws.
but hey why cut the screws down smaller?!
i really like joes design, but for this table size i needed to find another way.

my table will be built like the first pic with the gantry of the second pic.

gonna get back to the project in about a week, have to go back to work.

That picture shows what looks like 1 leadscrew on one side of it. I think you will have trouble with binding. Most machines have dual leadscrews on that axis to keep it from binding. Or one leadscrew in the middle.

Might want to think about that.

ball screw

this is the specs for the ball screws.

thanks for the input!
i thought about that and i would like to keep the screw to the side for plasma cutting.
if i have a problem with it i'll tie the two sides with cable method.

Alot of people use dual leadscrews. one on each side of the gantry.

I have seen several CNC Plazma cutters with this design and they have worked, because there is no cuttin force to rack the gantry.

Joe

well i'm back at it for a few more days. i think by tommarow i'll have the base welded up and starting on the
gantry, after i design my z axis with the parts i got.
i'll post pics later on this week.

didn't have time to get any pics taken, or alot of work done.
i had a weird week off, famly health maters and job concerns.
brother in law is doing so so, his kidneys are starting to fail again , and i still have my job ; dodged a layoff.
will got back to it in another week.

been adjusting to my new crew and schedule. maybe i get back to my build in a week if the stars line up
right.