On beginning the process of fabricating an XYZ touchplate for the mini-CNC (see here ) I have fallen down a machinist Youtube rabbit hole.
If we (and I really mean me, but anyone else as well) want to do precision CNC metalwork (aluminium, brass) a number of improvements to the mini-CNC would be of great benefit, same for anyone doing woodwork on it.
If we were to buy these we are looking at well over £500, but if we (and I mean me) were to machine them then it’s just the cost of the materials and my time, and honestly it’s an education opportunity for me.
One of the best channels I’ve been watching is BlondiHacks
Here’s a video from the CNC Cookbook on the advantages of fixture plates vs T-Slots, the video also goes into a lot of details on actually making/getting, installing and maintaining fixture plates.
I think we could make this a 2-step process, fabricate the vise (should work on both the nuts bed and fixture plate) then the fixture plate.
I need to determine whether we have the accuracy to make a fixture plate, no point in trying otherwise.
I think it would be a good step to map out how orthogonal the table is to the motion platform. I would hate for you to spend a lot of time for it to not give the results you’re hoping for!
I don’t think I’m ever going to get around to doing what I originally wanted to do (bore holes in aluminium extrusion), I’m going to be spending the rest of my life making clamp and clamp like things lol.