Hi folks, I've started building up my heavy metal router after previously having a heavy with a 2.2kw spindle.. which always worked well - but this looks to be more sturdy and impressive.

I've got the following to share so far - although this is my experience - so if Topsie says otherwise, I would go with his opinion.

Things missing from the BOM:

Bearings - the stepper motor ends need 6201zz bearings - 2 per stepper motor. The other ends need 6000zz bearings - two per end.

Gantry vertical sections - not sure what size yet, haven't got that far - but I ordered several extra bits of 3060 500mm long to cope.

Z axis main extrusion - 30x120 or two lengths of 3060 (I went with 30x120) again I just ordered 500mm of it.

6060 bits also for the gantry - not sure what length yet, I ordered an extra 300mm long piece.

Missing printable parts:

White box to connect the y axis sleds to the ball screw at 2:50 in the video (will need 2)

Printed vertical spacers for the gantry (installed at 7:30 in the video)

Linear rail stops (8:30)

Printable parts that I've modified because I could only get profile 30 extrusion which needs m8 screws rather than m6 for the threaded parts:

Wheel feet : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5402554/files

end bearing holder: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5402557

My skills aren't great - but they work if you have the same problem as me and don't want to drill them manually.

I'll keep updating as I keep progressing - but it looks to be another great machine by Topsie

Cheers from Australia

Well - today I needed to align my linear rails - and I couldn't find one available. So here is a terrible one I designed: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5403973

It suits 20mm rails on 30mm extrusion - I used three to align my rails.

Well - Two more things today:

I've made some simple linear rail stops - you'll need m5 20mm long bolts : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5404891 I've printed 12, not sure how many are needed. ***edit - you'll need 8 *****

And I've made a y-axis block (the bits at 2:50 in the video) you'll need 2 : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5404890

Topsie's block will be better, especially the corners - mine works for now. Download and print at your own risk - but I've got them installed on mine.

Cheers

Thanks @nothos

Today's update - cut some bits to length for the gantry. The 6060 piece was cut to 100mm long, and I cut the 4 vertical 3060's to 340mm long. The 100mm long 6060 part is guessing based on bolt spacing - but it looks normal.

I bought 500mm ballscrew and 500mm linear rails for my Z axis - and fitting it all together today I need to shorten my rails by 50mm. My 30120 extrusion will be the same length as my ballscrew for anyone still ordering parts.

Have some more files to share:

Drill aligner and support for making holes in my spindle clamp: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5405078 it fits the standard 80mm clamp on ebay, aliexpres etc. Still printing, but I paused it and it looks to fit.

Gantry spacing block: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5405853 - like all my designs - it's industrial looking but it gets the job done. When Topsie releases the next batch of files his will be nicer - but you can always print mine now and replace it later.

Linear rail aligner for the 6060 extrusion: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5405856

Thats enough for today or I'll end up divorced with nowhere to keep my toys

hi

500mm for your ZAxis ???

It's very long, no ?

What is the length between your Gantry and your spoilboard ?

I don't actually know the max height yet - the original BOM had 450mm lengths for both the rails and the ballscrew for Z axis - and the gantry itself is 220mm wide (including the rails, but not including the mounts). I machine parts for kilns, which is probably a niche use, hopefully will have over 115mm of usable depth (the height of the bricks used in kilns and heat treating ovens).

Hopefully will get it mocked up tomorrow and will know heights then - still have to steal parts off my existing "heavy" machine before I can commission the new one.

Hi ! Very nice post, many thanks for sharing, I will fixe the design page asap with all your feedback about missing part

Hi folks,

Last update for the week - and now I'm waiting till I can build up a stock of some of the things I cut with my original TopsCNC heavy before I steal the electronics for this one (and I have to cut all the flat aluminum bracing pieces).

Made a X axis connecting block (the bit between the gantry ballscrew and the Z axis module) - you can find it here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5407531 it is 18mm thick which didn't seem right... but it seems to fit perfectly. Again - Topsie's will be better, so if you are reading this I encourage you to check if the real one is available before printing mine.

I can confirm that 450mm linear rails with 500mm ballscrew and 500mm 30x120 extrusion works.

If you followed the original BOM and bought a 450mm ballscrew - then your extrusion will need to be 450mm and the rails cut to 400mm.

I cut my linear rails with an angle grinder after blunting my bi-metal bandsaw blade trying to cut them first - I bought crappy aliexpress type ones and was expecting cheese grade steel -  but they are very well hardened all the same.

I can also confirm that this is going to be a major upgrade over the previous version - and wow it gets very heavy when you start putting it all together, but it feels very solid too.

As for maximum height - looking like 200mm with a 20mm spoilboard - but that is very adjustable, and I haven't actually mounted my gantry yet.

I hope you all have a good weekend!

Thanks again, i will have some time to spend this afternoon to update the design page 

Hope this design will fit your need in your work (and many many many thanks again for you know what).

You can send me mail if you need any help