OP
OP
Nymor
3 of a Kind
Bumping this to follow on a conversation from someone else's build thread - I've mini hijacked it once already so bringing it over here...
I didn't do the CNCing myself but did have to go as far as providing the dxf cut files so I have those and my original FreeCad design files. The dxf files are what they are and have different layers for the different tooling required - main cuts, holes, recesses etc.
If I was to repeat it I'd likely make a couple of changes - I'd make the drill holes, all 76 of them, 10.5mm diameter not 10.1mm and I'd make the gap between my rail sections 2mm instead of 1mm. Both changes I had to do manually and both were a real pain.
The FreeCad files are mostly dimensioned using spreadsheet lookups so are editable but I suspect it's complicated enough that it would break quite easily so I don't know how straightforward making those changes to the models and cut sheets would be. If I wanted to make a few more tables of slightly different dimensions I'd probably invest the time to make the digital side of it streamlined but as it is those two sets of adjustments would probably need to be made again.
I'd be happy to share what I have for personnel use.
I don't have a racetrack but base, rail, rail support, cup holders and a few other small pieces used 2 full sheets that was CNCed and the UK is more expensive to begin so I spent far more than I'd originally budgeted (lol) for. The sheets were ~£100/120 each I think, then add the CNC to that.
I could have saved a couple of hundred maybe but I'm glad I went for the best quality I could. I did the same with my LEDs, probably going ~£100 more on the set up than if I'd gone as cheap as I could, so quality strip, controller and dimmer, aluminium track and diffuser.
I didn't do the CNCing myself but did have to go as far as providing the dxf cut files so I have those and my original FreeCad design files. The dxf files are what they are and have different layers for the different tooling required - main cuts, holes, recesses etc.
If I was to repeat it I'd likely make a couple of changes - I'd make the drill holes, all 76 of them, 10.5mm diameter not 10.1mm and I'd make the gap between my rail sections 2mm instead of 1mm. Both changes I had to do manually and both were a real pain.
The FreeCad files are mostly dimensioned using spreadsheet lookups so are editable but I suspect it's complicated enough that it would break quite easily so I don't know how straightforward making those changes to the models and cut sheets would be. If I wanted to make a few more tables of slightly different dimensions I'd probably invest the time to make the digital side of it streamlined but as it is those two sets of adjustments would probably need to be made again.
I'd be happy to share what I have for personnel use.
