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#16
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
It's already free. You just have to do some legwork to get in touch with a rep and get licenses.
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#17
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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I think people overestimate the necessity of 3D CAM for frc, we've never found the need to do anything that HSMexpress couldn't handle. |
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#18
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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-Abom79 -Tom Lipton -Tubalcain -Keith Fenner -Keith Rucker -Arduinoversusevil (not machining centric but hilarious) Also, here are some decent resources from MIT: Overview and videos Last edited by Mike Marandola : 18-04-2015 at 20:32. |
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#19
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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The HSMExpress still comes with adaptive clearing/pocketing feature and the same set of post processors, so there's almost no reason to go after HSMWorks. Quote:
or South Bend's how to run a lathe. |
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#20
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
I second Jared entirely. South Bend's How to Run a Lathe is definitively the best single source for instruction on lathes. The link below links to some free online PDF versions, and there are newer copies available online. The book literally explains everything about lathes.
http://makezine.com/2011/11/16/the-s...lathe-library/ |
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#21
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
Thank you for all the great tips. Here's a few follow up questions and things that I've been thinking about. If you feel very strongly about your recommendation and I have not included it let me know, so we can talk.
Follow up questions: - My big question is does anyone have any recommendations as far as size? Clearly bigger is better, but I'm thinking about something around 450 to 500 sqft to be reasonable (I think I was looking at 30 x 18) - Also what's the use of the compressed air line? When I was on the high school team, we had one in the robotics room but I didn't see that we got much use of it. - It's likely that we will be unable to get a garage door, as they re-did the end of the school (and actually removed a loading dock garage door). Do you think it's still possible to load in a floor-standing lathe (maybe...mill) through standard double doors? - Power. Bringing in a 220 (or 240V) line, is it worth it? What would it be most used for? Estimated cost? - I tried looking in the other threads but most everyone talks about mill/lathe/cnc recommendations. Anyone have recommendations for a good floor-standing drill press? Things that will definitely be getting purchased/in the shop (if we get one): - Re-vamp our hand-tool collection: Allen Key sets, Screwdriver sets, Socket Wrench set (anything else that is key for hand tools?) - Floor-standing drill press - Mobile benchtops for assembly - Workbench lining the wall (with vises) - Storage: small part shelving, tool shelving, handheld tool peg board, raw material stock rack - Power: Definitely, ceiling (or wall) retractable extension cords - Misc: Stools for mobile benchtops, 1 to 5 computers for work, cabinet for storage of paper/books/dry food, sink |
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#22
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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WRT getting machines in - if you can mange to get a loading dock/garage door installed, it's ideal. However, in the event that you can't, there's not a lot of machines that you can't get through a set of double doors (provided they have no center post, or it can be removed). You can almost always find a way to get the machine through the door, be it removing the head assembly on a bridgeport and rolling it in on a high-cap dolly, or using an engine hoist to lift up a lathe to roll it in. It helps a lot if you have someone experienced with rigging or moving machinery to direct the process along. You'll need a higher power drop for either of those machines, if they're of any reasonable size. I can almost guarantee your school has 240 volt power already, so it's a matter of getting a drop installed. Cost-wise, talk to whoever manages the contracting at the school. For a drill press, you can get a decent Jet drill press in the ~$500-600 range. It's not a precision machine, and you have to treat it kindly, but it'll drill holes, and it'll be a rather robust machine for students to utilize. If you can find an old used one from a local machine shop, that's also a good choice, but be prepared to give it a little TLC to make it happy. Good luck getting your shop together! |
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#23
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
Ah ok. I think we're some time away from sheet metal. I was looking up videos of installing an internal compressed air system and it doesn't seem terrible.
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Also do you have any suggestions for a bench-top or floor-standing bandsaw? |
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#24
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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As far as a band saw goes, a good floor-standing 13 3/4" Delta (or equivalent Jet/Grizzly) can sometimes be had for $250-300 from Lowes or equivalent. Surprisingly, I hear the Harbor Freight 9" benchtop bandsaw or MSC/Northern equivalrnt is pretty good. It is harbor freight, though, so keep that in mind. You might also consider a horizontal band saw, instead of (or in addition to) a vertical one. Horizontals are nicer for cutting thick materials and pieces with larger structural cross sections, and can cut longer sections off without having to waste material with angle cuts. Basically, anything you'd do with a hack saw is work best suited for a Horizontal. They're not suited for more delicate work, though - you can do a lot on a vertical bandsaw with a steady hand. Many horizontals can be changed to be vertical position, and come with a table for this use. Brand recommendations are the same. Used band saws can be a good idea in some cases, if you can find a robust older machine. You can often get a hold of well-used but still-good band saws for a decent price - local auctions and repocast are the places to look. Keep in mind you might be getting into a little restoration work if you go that route, but it can be well worth it. I was spoiled... we got to use a wide-mouth bandsaw that looked something like this. The thing cuts like a dream, and has a mouth wide enough to accomodate any work you throw at it. Finding a machine like that (hopefully not that big) is a great pickup. For all bandsaws, remember to get wood or soft material blades (large tooth) instead of metal blades for cutting aluminum - see here for why. |
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#25
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
We've actually got a chop saw, so I'm not sure we'd go this route for now. I think a vertical band saw would allow us to make cuts beyond straight cuts, hence the interest.
Please, correct me if I'm wrong or if you disagree. |
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#26
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
Probably will want to for the vertical, then. You can do some nice angle and curve work in tube/small sheet on a vertical.
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#27
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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#28
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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For what it's worth, McMaster does claim that their "Blades for Softwood" are appropriate for aluminum: Quote:
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#29
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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#30
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Re: Building Out a Workshop
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Today I learned a bit more about band saw blades. |
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