I must admit when I saw you pull out the diamond cup wheel I thought "Oh know he's going to make a mess of that!" I would have thought it would have been much too aggressive for what you needed. Did you do all the remaining sanding/polishing with sandpaper or did you use diamond pads? Just curious. Nice job either way.
It was very aggressive. Especially if I tilt it and use the edge instead of laying it flat if that makes sense. I only used the diamond wheel for roughing. The rest was done with a sander and then a wetstone manually. I'm sure there are tools that would allow the control to achieve the precision I was after but for budget reasons I opted to use the wetstone. In hindsight i would probably look for a machine tool to do it instead. But at least this way I got some exercise as well. 😀
This is perfect, I wanted to see how the process is to make a CNC using a granite base, it's cost effective and easy to make. Nice clear HD video, I can hear your voice clearly. Is it better to use inserts rather than tap into the holes? I hope you make another granite CNC and show us full details how you made it. Thanks!
@@faggan3040 thank you. I will keep note of this. Do you have any recommendations which are good inserts which might be better than what you’re using currently?
I cant know that can I? I haven't tested any others than the once you see in the video. The once I use combined with the injectable mortar is strong enough for the application.
With hand tools it's about the same I would say. It's not only about getting a level surface. The more important goal is to make it parallel to the table. While you could put a metal plate in a mill and flatten it that won't help in reaching the end goal.
Hmm, I have to ask, was neither side of granite sides flat enough? It doesn't matter if it's parallel to the other side of the same block as long it was flat, since you shimmed it when mounting anyway? :)
You are correct in that it doesn't matter if they are parallel to each other. They do however need to be parallel to the table. If one is a bit higher off the table than the other doesn't really matter because the alignment of the X-axis rails will fix that. But you need a parallel surface for the Y-axis rails.
I'm new to machining and building these. Just been watching videos recently on other builds.If the Y rails arent parallel with each other how can they each be parallel with the table if they individually have to be parallel with the table assuming table was flat and level? Or is this being said in case the table isnt perfectly flat and level? Also why is it ok for one side to be higher than the other? Wont X being going uphill and downhill? Or are you guys saying its ok for granite blocks to not be level with each other(one being higher) that you will shim the rails later? Sorry for the dumb questions. I did see the guys using that sliding instrument youre using to check for high spots (btw whats that instrument called) but they used it on the rails and torqued down the rails till they were parallel with the table. I didnt see in the videos of them checking if the rails were parallel with each other though.
@@ChristopherJones16 - "but if the Y rails arent parallel with each other how can they each be parallel with the table if they individually have to be parallel with the table assuming table was flat and level?" You're correct, by definition they will be parallel. I wasn't explaining properly. I meant they don't need to be the same height. - "Also why is it ok for one side to be higher than the other? Wont X being going uphill and downhill?" Because the X-axis rails are not being aligned to the granite sides. They are aligned to the table. Lets say that the right granite side is 1mm higher than the left one. The gantry is now tilted, its higher on the right side. But because the rails are aligned with the table they are parallel with the table. They are however not at the same distance from the sides. The rail would be 1mm closer to the granite side on the right side. Does that make sense? - "Or are you guys saying its ok for granite blocks to not be level with each other(one being higher) that you will shim the rails later?" It is ok. BUT, there are limits. The manufacturer of the rails you are using have a tolerance for how much height difference you are allowed to have in a case like this. It is usually dependent on how far apart the rails are. The further apart the more difference they allow. On my machine I don't remember the exact numbers but I am well within the allowed height difference in relation to my rail spacing. - "Sorry for the dumb questions I'm new and didn't see mentioned in the comments of the other build videos I've seen" Its not a dumb question. I could certainly have explained myself better :) - "btw whats that instrument called" Its called a Dial indicator. they come in different styles, measuring range and precision.
I'm not sure. I don't have enough experience with self-leveling epoxy. First off, the reference is the table. The table is not necessarily level. But I guess you could level it before applying the epoxy. Even then I wonder if it will be flat enough? I have no doubt it levels itself to some extent but is it within 0.01mm? I don't know. I guess you could sand it down after. But then there is the question of the epoxy being hard and stable enough under load when the machine is running. Is there risk of cracking? You could probably do that though. I feel more comfortable that the granite won't deform over time. Even if it's a lot tougher to get it to spec..
@@aarondcmedia9585 it's running fine! I've been putting off making another video forever. Haven't felt like it. I should really get around to that though. Maybe just a short walk around or something.
Congrats on the build. But no mention of the inspiration of the basic idea and work flow? Not to detract from what you are building which I am full of respect for as I am hoping to do the same some day. But I feel like it's quite obvious where you got a lot of the ideas from and personally I would have like to see him mentioned or linked to.
As far as I know this have been done by at least three different people and posted on TH-cam. All of them share the same principle with a granite base design but are very different in solving some of the issues involved with the granite. In my case i have taken inspiration from all three of them and also some professional CNC machine builders such as Datron for my machine. This will become more clear once i start on the axis of the machine i think. I Hope you stick around for it! :)
@@faggan3040 OK, good on you. I know there a few out there by now, it's just that I have only seen one (Fox's) in the layout you adopted. The others I have seen are mills or moving table designs. And then of course a bunch of cast epoxy granite designs but the genious, as you know, of the surface plate idea is that you can get a very accurate frame with very simple tools measuring it all from the known quality of the base. Like I said, happy you're actually building something so of course I will follow the progress;-).
Fox have some issues with his design. One of them being his lack of Z height. He's adeessing this with his rebuild now. Because I had the chanse to look at his and other builds I could make the granite sides thicker and higher from the get go. I also have some other demands I want to include in my machine. Like a ATC magazine and the ability to fasten long materials on the front of the machine in a vertical orientation to have access to the edge.
@@faggan3040 His rebuild is a lot about chasing better tolerances. You making your sides taller is more of a personal preference than anything else in terms of what parts you need to be making and the router I have mocked up in CAD does indeed have taller side walls, too. It would also be longer in the Y than in the X and I would make end walls with gaskets closing up the "whole box" with the hopes that I could get by without a cabinet - it would just be a smaller desktop sized machine. Still, there would be zero doubt in my mind where 90% of the inspiration came from despite me being able to make it more for my use.
Thanks for sharing! Can't wait for the next!
Hope you keep up the good work!?
So do i!
New video is in the making. Things have not gone to plan..
I must admit when I saw you pull out the diamond cup wheel I thought "Oh know he's going to make a mess of that!" I would have thought it would have been much too aggressive for what you needed. Did you do all the remaining sanding/polishing with sandpaper or did you use diamond pads? Just curious. Nice job either way.
It was very aggressive. Especially if I tilt it and use the edge instead of laying it flat if that makes sense. I only used the diamond wheel for roughing. The rest was done with a sander and then a wetstone manually. I'm sure there are tools that would allow the control to achieve the precision I was after but for budget reasons I opted to use the wetstone. In hindsight i would probably look for a machine tool to do it instead. But at least this way I got some exercise as well. 😀
This is perfect, I wanted to see how the process is to make a CNC using a granite base, it's cost effective and easy to make. Nice clear HD video, I can hear your voice clearly. Is it better to use inserts rather than tap into the holes? I hope you make another granite CNC and show us full details how you made it. Thanks!
Thank you.
You need some sort of insert. The granite cant be threaded like metal.
@@faggan3040 thank you. I will keep note of this. Do you have any recommendations which are good inserts which might be better than what you’re using currently?
I cant know that can I? I haven't tested any others than the once you see in the video. The once I use combined with the injectable mortar is strong enough for the application.
Would like to see further details how you bolted it to the surface plate. Thanks.
How I bolted what to the surface plate? The sides?
Put a steel plate on the granite and level that plate. Steel is much easier to level than granite.
With hand tools it's about the same I would say. It's not only about getting a level surface. The more important goal is to make it parallel to the table. While you could put a metal plate in a mill and flatten it that won't help in reaching the end goal.
Hmm, I have to ask, was neither side of granite sides flat enough? It doesn't matter if it's parallel to the other side of the same block as long it was flat, since you shimmed it when mounting anyway? :)
You are correct in that it doesn't matter if they are parallel to each other. They do however need to be parallel to the table. If one is a bit higher off the table than the other doesn't really matter because the alignment of the X-axis rails will fix that. But you need a parallel surface for the Y-axis rails.
I'm new to machining and building these. Just been watching videos recently on other builds.If the Y rails arent parallel with each other how can they each be parallel with the table if they individually have to be parallel with the table assuming table was flat and level? Or is this being said in case the table isnt perfectly flat and level? Also why is it ok for one side to be higher than the other? Wont X being going uphill and downhill? Or are you guys saying its ok for granite blocks to not be level with each other(one being higher) that you will shim the rails later? Sorry for the dumb questions. I did see the guys using that sliding instrument youre using to check for high spots (btw whats that instrument called) but they used it on the rails and torqued down the rails till they were parallel with the table. I didnt see in the videos of them checking if the rails were parallel with each other though.
@@ChristopherJones16 - "but if the Y rails arent parallel with each other how can they each be parallel with the table if they individually have to be parallel with the table assuming table was flat and level?" You're correct, by definition they will be parallel. I wasn't explaining properly. I meant they don't need to be the same height.
- "Also why is it ok for one side to be higher than the other? Wont X being going uphill and downhill?" Because the X-axis rails are not being aligned to the granite sides. They are aligned to the table. Lets say that the right granite side is 1mm higher than the left one. The gantry is now tilted, its higher on the right side. But because the rails are aligned with the table they are parallel with the table. They are however not at the same distance from the sides. The rail would be 1mm closer to the granite side on the right side. Does that make sense?
- "Or are you guys saying its ok for granite blocks to not be level with each other(one being higher) that you will shim the rails later?" It is ok. BUT, there are limits. The manufacturer of the rails you are using have a tolerance for how much height difference you are allowed to have in a case like this. It is usually dependent on how far apart the rails are. The further apart the more difference they allow. On my machine I don't remember the exact numbers but I am well within the allowed height difference in relation to my rail spacing.
- "Sorry for the dumb questions I'm new and didn't see mentioned in the comments of the other build videos I've seen" Its not a dumb question. I could certainly have explained myself better :)
- "btw whats that instrument called" Its called a Dial indicator. they come in different styles, measuring range and precision.
Could you have added a thin layer of self-leveling epoxy to flatten the side rather than grinding the side flat?
I'm not sure. I don't have enough experience with self-leveling epoxy. First off, the reference is the table. The table is not necessarily level. But I guess you could level it before applying the epoxy.
Even then I wonder if it will be flat enough? I have no doubt it levels itself to some extent but is it within 0.01mm? I don't know.
I guess you could sand it down after. But then there is the question of the epoxy being hard and stable enough under load when the machine is running. Is there risk of cracking?
You could probably do that though. I feel more comfortable that the granite won't deform over time. Even if it's a lot tougher to get it to spec..
@@faggan3040thanks for the response, all valid questions.
How is the mill now? Still going ok?
@@aarondcmedia9585 it's running fine! I've been putting off making another video forever. Haven't felt like it.
I should really get around to that though. Maybe just a short walk around or something.
@@faggan3040 sounds good!
Nature defenitely made the rock like that on purpose 😆
I know right!
Congrats on the build.
But no mention of the inspiration of the basic idea and work flow? Not to detract from what you are building which I am full of respect for as I am hoping to do the same some day. But I feel like it's quite obvious where you got a lot of the ideas from and personally I would have like to see him mentioned or linked to.
As far as I know this have been done by at least three different people and posted on TH-cam. All of them share the same principle with a granite base design but are very different in solving some of the issues involved with the granite. In my case i have taken inspiration from all three of them and also some professional CNC machine builders such as Datron for my machine.
This will become more clear once i start on the axis of the machine i think. I Hope you stick around for it! :)
@@faggan3040 OK, good on you. I know there a few out there by now, it's just that I have only seen one (Fox's) in the layout you adopted. The others I have seen are mills or moving table designs. And then of course a bunch of cast epoxy granite designs but the genious, as you know, of the surface plate idea is that you can get a very accurate frame with very simple tools measuring it all from the known quality of the base.
Like I said, happy you're actually building something so of course I will follow the progress;-).
Fox have some issues with his design. One of them being his lack of Z height. He's adeessing this with his rebuild now.
Because I had the chanse to look at his and other builds I could make the granite sides thicker and higher from the get go.
I also have some other demands I want to include in my machine. Like a ATC magazine and the ability to fasten long materials on the front of the machine in a vertical orientation to have access to the edge.
@@faggan3040 His rebuild is a lot about chasing better tolerances. You making your sides taller is more of a personal preference than anything else in terms of what parts you need to be making and the router I have mocked up in CAD does indeed have taller side walls, too. It would also be longer in the Y than in the X and I would make end walls with gaskets closing up the "whole box" with the hopes that I could get by without a cabinet - it would just be a smaller desktop sized machine. Still, there would be zero doubt in my mind where 90% of the inspiration came from despite me being able to make it more for my use.
Whats the name of the granite you re using?
If you mean the one I use as a table it's called a surface plate.
@@faggan3040 I mean the actually name of the type of granite you used, is that the "Angolan granite"?
I have no idea. It wasn't of interest to me. Sorry. @@nelsonmiguel868