A timesaver alignment for me. I mark the middle of each end of the SmartBench using a Sharpie dot on the aluminum. I mark the middle of the spoilboard with a dot on each end. Slide the spoilboard into position, line up the dots; SmartBench to spoilboard on one end. Clamp one corner. Line up the dots on the other end of the spoilboard, set in place, done. To load a sheet stock find the middle of the sheet stock and repeat the process of lining up the dots.
Just took delivery of our SmartBench today! We've been wanting a router that could handle 4x8 for a very long time, but given the minimal space we have we were always limited to the smaller ones which then limited the size of signs we can make. Thanks Yeti for making this awesome piece of equipment!!
a handy tip to add would be to mark the aluminum bench cross beams out on the spoil board for quick and easy reference and taking out the guess work for future cuts.
What about using an MFT as a spoil board? And / or as the sacrificial panels on the bench? Presumably if we avoid holes in the wheel paths below this could be a good solution?
Do you mean the GRKs with the integrated washer in the head? If so, great idea! The wider pressure distribution from the flatter head would certainly reduce risk of stock grain from 'splitting out'. Also, big fans of star/torx drive ;-)
Are you saying that when working with full size sheet that you can't use 140mm of Y axis (70mm on each side for roller support) and that will just have to be considered as waste?
Hi Colin! Thanks for the comment. When working with full sheets, you can add additional boards to either end of the sheet to ensure the beam is fully supported. It's not completely necessary, but it's an option.
The bench with legs attached are 2.8m so you have a little bit of room. Always make sure you use the same thickness of material for best results@@ColinSherraden
I appreciate the concept, but i feel like i would really want a rigid table to just throw material on and fasten. All the finicky stuff with aligned bearings and such really eats into efficiency. How would one face a full sheet?
Thanks for the comment. When you have the machine set up for processing sheet materials, it is really quick and easy to change boards over. SmartBench can process 1.25 x 2.5m sheets, so if you are processing a 8' x 4' sheet, you have some room each side for runners which the upper wheels can sit on.
@@YetiToolLtd Ok, so the gantry doesn't sag if only supported on the outside of a 48" sheet? Could you then set it up where the support edges are higher, and let the z axis reach down to whatever height workpiece you have? And just leave it like that? You should have a kit of permanent outside guides. I'm thinking of many uses where I want to machine all the way around a block, and wouldn't have the extra 2 inches on the ends for support. I'm also thinking of a scenario where there is a cut all the way across the y axis, so moving across it, the entire row of bearings would lose contact, and how much that will affect things.
@@jasongamer8649 yes, exactly that. If you would like to find out more about SmartBench, and see it in person then you can organise a demonstration here: www.yetitool.com/request-a-demonstration
A timesaver alignment for me. I mark the middle of each end of the SmartBench using a Sharpie dot on the aluminum. I mark the middle of the spoilboard with a dot on each end. Slide the spoilboard into position, line up the dots; SmartBench to spoilboard on one end. Clamp one corner. Line up the dots on the other end of the spoilboard, set in place, done. To load a sheet stock find the middle of the sheet stock and repeat the process of lining up the dots.
This video was excellent! Very well explained. I'm putting my deposit down TODAY!!!
Great to hear!
excellent video learning all the time
Just took delivery of our SmartBench today! We've been wanting a router that could handle 4x8 for a very long time, but given the minimal space we have we were always limited to the smaller ones which then limited the size of signs we can make. Thanks Yeti for making this awesome piece of equipment!!
Thanks for the amazing feedback. Please leave us a google review if you can: g.page/r/CXPPHhcyJeTTEAg/review
a handy tip to add would be to mark the aluminum bench cross beams out on the spoil board for quick and easy reference and taking out the guess work for future cuts.
What about using an MFT as a spoil board? And / or as the sacrificial panels on the bench?
Presumably if we avoid holes in the wheel paths below this could be a good solution?
Thank you... learned a lot. I think you used GRK small head screws as I do. The don't tend to split the wood if you used properly.
Do you mean the GRKs with the integrated washer in the head? If so, great idea! The wider pressure distribution from the flatter head would certainly reduce risk of stock grain from 'splitting out'. Also, big fans of star/torx drive ;-)
Very informative video
Must admit I'm very tempted to order 🤔
Thanks Mike - sounds like a great idea to us :)
Are you saying that when working with full size sheet that you can't use 140mm of Y axis (70mm on each side for roller support) and that will just have to be considered as waste?
Hi Colin! Thanks for the comment. When working with full sheets, you can add additional boards to either end of the sheet to ensure the beam is fully supported. It's not completely necessary, but it's an option.
@@YetiToolLtd Does the bench extend that far past a full sheet? How do you ensure the seem doesn't effect the cut? Thanks for the reply
The bench with legs attached are 2.8m so you have a little bit of room. Always make sure you use the same thickness of material for best results@@ColinSherraden
I appreciate the concept, but i feel like i would really want a rigid table to just throw material on and fasten. All the finicky stuff with aligned bearings and such really eats into efficiency. How would one face a full sheet?
Thanks for the comment. When you have the machine set up for processing sheet materials, it is really quick and easy to change boards over. SmartBench can process 1.25 x 2.5m sheets, so if you are processing a 8' x 4' sheet, you have some room each side for runners which the upper wheels can sit on.
@@YetiToolLtd Ok, so the gantry doesn't sag if only supported on the outside of a 48" sheet? Could you then set it up where the support edges are higher, and let the z axis reach down to whatever height workpiece you have? And just leave it like that? You should have a kit of permanent outside guides. I'm thinking of many uses where I want to machine all the way around a block, and wouldn't have the extra 2 inches on the ends for support.
I'm also thinking of a scenario where there is a cut all the way across the y axis, so moving across it, the entire row of bearings would lose contact, and how much that will affect things.
@@jasongamer8649 yes, exactly that. If you would like to find out more about SmartBench, and see it in person then you can organise a demonstration here: www.yetitool.com/request-a-demonstration
Do you think the " Blue Tape and @Starbond CA glue " would hold the smaller pieces well.
Yes, this is certainly another option. We may explain other options in further videos.
What is the maximum size of spoilboard in X direction?
1400mm