Project Information
I have been kicking around this idea for a while. I wanted to come up with a combination machine that I could combine 3 router based machines that I use quite often. I have designed a few router milling machines and some of the engineering I discovered I used in the process of this build. Although this is the rough build of my final design I am using this as an experiment to see what changes I need to do to the final version. On my mills I used a mechanical system for the plunge feature but this I used electronic.
The whole machine was built from scrap wood and scavenged parts. For the drive motor I used a dc motor from an old 12 volt battery drill then found a cheap 12 volt power supply.I even used the chuck to connect it to the threaded rod. I also made my own switch to raise it up and down, i did not use the drill trigger.
If you look you can see a contraption about knee high, that is a pivot switch. it sits in a cradle so it can be removed and used as a foot switch. I dont know if you can see them but I have included limit switches on it to set depths on a plunge.
I used V grove bearings running on angle iron to keep everything tight and smooth. I have included tensioners on the bearings to adjust the tightness. The main frame is two rails of glued up plywood 3 layers thick. They are all tied or glued in with the frame, it is very stable with no movement. The head unit is adjustable in height that slides up and down with a single bolt in the back to lock it in. The head unit itself has 6 inches of travel on the angle iron rails.
The table pivot has round disks with 60 grit sandpaper glued to one side sandwiched between the frame and the table unit . Once the outer clamps are tightened down in front and back it does not move and you can put it in any position. So far I am very pleased with it, it is a new toy and am discovering all the possibilities. I hope to post some videos in the next day or two. I have a few more pictures I will include in the comments
The whole machine was built from scrap wood and scavenged parts. For the drive motor I used a dc motor from an old 12 volt battery drill then found a cheap 12 volt power supply.I even used the chuck to connect it to the threaded rod. I also made my own switch to raise it up and down, i did not use the drill trigger.
If you look you can see a contraption about knee high, that is a pivot switch. it sits in a cradle so it can be removed and used as a foot switch. I dont know if you can see them but I have included limit switches on it to set depths on a plunge.
I used V grove bearings running on angle iron to keep everything tight and smooth. I have included tensioners on the bearings to adjust the tightness. The main frame is two rails of glued up plywood 3 layers thick. They are all tied or glued in with the frame, it is very stable with no movement. The head unit is adjustable in height that slides up and down with a single bolt in the back to lock it in. The head unit itself has 6 inches of travel on the angle iron rails.
The table pivot has round disks with 60 grit sandpaper glued to one side sandwiched between the frame and the table unit . Once the outer clamps are tightened down in front and back it does not move and you can put it in any position. So far I am very pleased with it, it is a new toy and am discovering all the possibilities. I hope to post some videos in the next day or two. I have a few more pictures I will include in the comments