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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 07:45:41 PM »
I edited the G-code and dropped the speed down to 8 IPM from 16 IPM. I then changed to a new mill bit I just received in the mail today. Also inexpensive (5 for $20) but speced for aluminum. The others were supposedly for stainless steel (!) but they did seem to work well on aluminum on the Bosch Colt router.

Anyway, I ran the same part again with the reduced travel speed, and it cut. Looks like a decent job. Not as fast as the router, but this also was a different offcut of aluminum, and might have been a different type.

I'd say the 500 watt spindle is usable, though slower. Definitely quieter, which is a plus. Also it is DC and can be speed controlled from LinucxCNC if I figure out how to do that.

Here's the results of both the first (bottom) and second attempt:

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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 07:36:15 PM »
Uh...... first attempt @ 16 IPM 8000 RPM and .020" DOC ....not so great. For some reason it seemed to wander sideways in the cut. I think the bit was flexing. The spindle and mount were really solid and no detectable play, before or after. It managed one pass, got back on track, then took a detour again, this time into double the depth of cut, which broke it.

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Project Logs / Re: Making the best of Global Warming
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 07:22:03 PM »
Joules, what do you have for a battery, and what does it power?
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Project Logs / Re: Making the best of Global Warming
« Last post by Joules on Today at 06:19:37 PM »
You're only one step away from making a buzz bomb Andrew...

Careful measurements were taken to clear Studio and also work out best position for winter sun, based on the x8, 100W panels we have.

I am currently seeing 750W an hour for at least 4-5hrs (sunny hot day), after around 4-5kW all our batteries are full  so don't have a true
amount for how much the tracker can produce as it gets throttled back.   These last few days not even activated the tracker as it collects enough just pointing up.  I think we produced 20kw for the air con during these heatwaves.

The array is 2m x 2m to give it some scale, so not far off 20% efficient, considering our latitude.
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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 04:16:45 PM »
It fits!  :med:

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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 04:14:23 PM »
Done!  :thumbup:

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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 03:46:43 PM »
That's really nice Andrew!  :thumbup: :thumbup: :clap:

I wonder if the one I have is for engraving? That would make sense because of the size. I'll have to dig it out and get a photo of it to post.

Meanwhile, I started in on the adapter ring for the 500 watt spindle.

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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by awemawson on Today at 01:00:33 PM »
I made it for engraving lettering on labels etc - I used the smallest centre drill that I could find as the cutter.

It seems it was 20 years ago !

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CNC / Re: My CNC Router
« Last post by vtsteam on Today at 12:38:30 PM »
That's pretty cool, Andrew.  :thumbup: What did you cut with it?

That also just reminded me I picked up a little turbine spindle, used at one of the old Bernardston Gas Engine shows. Forgot I had it. It was just a curiosity to me, and cheap. Unfortunately, there's no compressed air in the shed where the cnc router is, so I can't use it. Also it's kinda small.  I don't have much of a compressor in my tiny shop near the house, either.

Right now, I'm working on getting the 500 watt spindle fitted to the CNC. Looks like the router mount fits a 70-71mm body, and my 500 watt spindle has a 52mm body. I think I'll keep the existing mount and just make a 71/52mm adapter.

I was rummaging around in my scrap box and found this big chunk of aluminum, so I don't have to cast anything:

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Project Logs / Re: Making the best of Global Warming
« Last post by awemawson on Today at 12:32:09 PM »
Quote from: Joules on July 02, 2025, 05:56:14 PM
I hadn't considered a mini gun Andrew, but now you mention it.  Keep the pigeons and other vermin at bay...
As it happens due to an invasion of crows who eat more feed than the chicken, I'm resurrecting at the moment a propane fueled 'crow scarer'. Cunning device slowly inflates a small reservoir of propane with a diaphragm lid that lifts a mechanism that toggles and discharges the gas into the 4" diameter 24" long barrel and then clouts a piezo element sparking to fire the charge. Throtle valve controls the rate of cycling. It makes a massive bang when it fires :bugeye: Currently awaiting more neoprene as the diaphragm needs replacing before I put it back together.
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