I got in just a short session tonight, but it was emotionally significant — I finally reached the point in the build of the 4×8 machine that I needed electronics, so I pulled the stepper motors (and Z axis screw) off of the 2×4 machine, and started getting the motors installed onto the new one.
One interesting thing that I hadn’t really grokked until now (at least not lately or consciously) is that, unlike the Book Machine, where I use couplers on each axis, the Blackfoot only uses a screw coupler on Z. The bones of the old machine can still be resurrected to make it work again, but there is an interesting and motley set of parts that will be needed (or, rather, that got reused).
I got the Y axis motor installed first (the other two are more complicated), which took a little longer than it should have — I bought 1″ screws to mount the motors, but it turned out I needed 1-1/2″ to get through the 3/4″ ply and the motor housing.
With the Y-axis motor installed, I decided to try to install the Y chain. Figuring out the looping was interesting. I also realized that I really did need hose clamps, because I don’t have any bolts small enough to go through the links in the chain.
Oh well, off the the hardware store. Again.
I should be able to get the X axis motor installed next session, and maybe figure out the Z transmission nut, too. If I get those installed, then I just have to pop the router in place, and we’re making sawdust! Might even get there this weekend