Thank you for sharing this video on machining aluminium parts for your next build. I am in a similar situation, built a DIY cnc router but using 3DP plates all round and looking to machine aluminium plates to replace the 3DP plates. I will be very grateful if you could share the feeds/speeds and things like dept of cuts and type of end mill you used to make the parts in this video. Thanks again!
What controller you using on it? I got the queen bee pro in that size. Been wanting to do aluminum on it. Mine seems pretty rigid. No flex with the 2.2 kw spindle. Now bulkman has the ultimate bee pro to upgrade the queen bee to ball screws instead of the acme rods on the queen bee.
I am looking at going the Queen Bee route. I have been looking at others like the Sienci longmill and the Onefinity but this seems to be more bang for the buck. One positive is that you get into the spindle as opposed to a trim router. How much quieter is the spindle vs a trim router? Also, were you able to sell your Workbee and were you able to sell it close to what you put into it?
I've had the QueenBee 1515 for 2 years now, from an X carve, run both but dont think twice about that queenbee friend, you wont regret it, the linear rails really make the machine a tank and keep it well together, stay away from the wheels!!! This isnt red dead redemption, we have rails now lol
What do you think about the OpenBuilds 1010 and 1015 ? The construction is a little bit different and more easy to upgrade due to different plates than the WorkBee. Would this machine be better if shorten the X axis to lets say 800 instead of 1000 ? After all its the X beam that takes all the load from the spindle. Thanks...
I’m looking to cut MDF 1/4 to 1/2 max for a flight sim project. Would you recommend a CNC or laser cutter? I have laser cutting experience. No CNC experience. I ask as I watched your laser cutter review and saw that you were able to cut 1/2 inch MDF with it. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
I always prefer laser over cnc when applicable, it's not as messy, quicker cutting, and the file prep is easier. But, sometimes you just need a cnc if, for example, you need to cut out a pocket that is only halfway deep into your material....the laser can't really do that very well.
On your Lowrider, were you using dual endstops with auto squaring? I’m currently building one, so I want to figure out what made you not like it vs the others who do like it. Thanks.
I was using manual endstops for squaring, this wasn't really a problem itself, but combined with the issue of the z-axis motors not being able to hold up the gantry when not under power, it just made the process of starting up the machine really finicky and unenjoyable. I wouldn't want to dissuade you from building the machine, as I don't think you can do any better at the price point, but if you use it a lot and want a better experience, you may find yourself upgrading at some point like I did. I don't know if you saw my full review of the Lowrider, but you might want to check it out to see the potential issues you may have with the y-axis wheels as I and others did: th-cam.com/video/gh4UWa5n-6o/w-d-xo.html
So Travis, have you had any issues at all with EMF because I noticed you're running you spindle cables through the drag chain along with your motor signal wires. I'm just about done with my Lead1515 build and the thinking was running my spindle cables seperately overhead where you have your vacuum pipe. Any thoughts
Yes actually, it would occasionally trigger a false positive on the limit switches, they used shielded wire, but it would still happen every once in a while. I like your idea of routing it up above.
@@diyfiberlaser shielded cable is useless unless it's grounded to earth. Apart from grounding, I also used 2 ferrite cores on each signal cable, one on each end.
Hang tight, I've already recorded the Ultimate Bee footage and I should have the video up within a couple weeks. Actually, I've been really busy recording and should have videos on a number of projects soon, just need time to edit them: the Ultimate Bee, the Masso controller for a hobby CNC lathe, a DIY 1000W fiber laser cutter, and more.
Hi Travis, thanks for sharing your WorkBee experience! I'm now shifting gears to look at a QueenBee kit :)
So beautiful
Very cool projects
Thank you for sharing this video on machining aluminium parts for your next build.
I am in a similar situation, built a DIY cnc router but using 3DP plates all round and looking to machine aluminium plates to replace the 3DP plates. I will be very grateful if you could share the feeds/speeds and things like dept of cuts and type of end mill you used to make the parts in this video. Thanks again!
I got the Queenbee from bulkman, learned the wheel business lesson with the x carve 😞
What controller you using on it? I got the queen bee pro in that size. Been wanting to do aluminum on it. Mine seems pretty rigid. No flex with the 2.2 kw spindle. Now bulkman has the ultimate bee pro to upgrade the queen bee to ball screws instead of the acme rods on the queen bee.
I am looking at going the Queen Bee route. I have been looking at others like the Sienci longmill and the Onefinity but this seems to be more bang for the buck. One positive is that you get into the spindle as opposed to a trim router. How much quieter is the spindle vs a trim router? Also, were you able to sell your Workbee and were you able to sell it close to what you put into it?
Spindles are quiet, pack more torque and are made to run for hours, routers are made for intermittent use.
I've had the QueenBee 1515 for 2 years now, from an X carve, run both but dont think twice about that queenbee friend, you wont regret it, the linear rails really make the machine a tank and keep it well together, stay away from the wheels!!! This isnt red dead redemption, we have rails now lol
Do you ever require to calibrate the CNC using a dial indicator?
What do you think about the OpenBuilds 1010 and 1015 ? The construction is a little bit different and more easy to upgrade due to different plates than the WorkBee. Would this machine be better if shorten the X axis to lets say 800 instead of 1000 ? After all its the X beam that takes all the load from the spindle. Thanks...
I’ve never built the openbuilds kits, but they look very similar …certainly the shorter the beams, the more rigid it will be
I’m looking to cut MDF 1/4 to 1/2 max for a flight sim project. Would you recommend a CNC or laser cutter? I have laser cutting experience. No CNC experience. I ask as I watched your laser cutter review and saw that you were able to cut 1/2 inch MDF with it. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
I always prefer laser over cnc when applicable, it's not as messy, quicker cutting, and the file prep is easier. But, sometimes you just need a cnc if, for example, you need to cut out a pocket that is only halfway deep into your material....the laser can't really do that very well.
On your Lowrider, were you using dual endstops with auto squaring? I’m currently building one, so I want to figure out what made you not like it vs the others who do like it. Thanks.
I was using manual endstops for squaring, this wasn't really a problem itself, but combined with the issue of the z-axis motors not being able to hold up the gantry when not under power, it just made the process of starting up the machine really finicky and unenjoyable. I wouldn't want to dissuade you from building the machine, as I don't think you can do any better at the price point, but if you use it a lot and want a better experience, you may find yourself upgrading at some point like I did. I don't know if you saw my full review of the Lowrider, but you might want to check it out to see the potential issues you may have with the y-axis wheels as I and others did: th-cam.com/video/gh4UWa5n-6o/w-d-xo.html
Hey mate is there a way to share ur upgrades if possible
So Travis, have you had any issues at all with EMF because I noticed you're running you spindle cables through the drag chain along with your motor signal wires. I'm just about done with my Lead1515 build and the thinking was running my spindle cables seperately overhead where you have your vacuum pipe. Any thoughts
Yes actually, it would occasionally trigger a false positive on the limit switches, they used shielded wire, but it would still happen every once in a while. I like your idea of routing it up above.
@@diyfiberlaser shielded cable is useless unless it's grounded to earth. Apart from grounding, I also used 2 ferrite cores on each signal cable, one on each end.
“Cool”
What are your thoughts on the Ultimate Bee? I am thinking about ordering one with similar specs to the machine you have in this video.
Hang tight, I've already recorded the Ultimate Bee footage and I should have the video up within a couple weeks. Actually, I've been really busy recording and should have videos on a number of projects soon, just need time to edit them: the Ultimate Bee, the Masso controller for a hobby CNC lathe, a DIY 1000W fiber laser cutter, and more.
Hey mate is there a way to share ur upgrades if possible