I’m slated to receive my AltMill in June. The AltMill standard assembly calls for a piece of MDF as the table surface (the surface underneath the wasteboard that screws to the cross-members).
I can get a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate (6061-T651) custom cut to the required 51.75"x34.3" size for about $400. I’m OK with that cost, but I want to make sure there are no other downsides. I will likely also screw T-track to the aluminum which may add to the rigidity. With this setup, do you think the machine would be any less rigid than using MDF?
As I mentioned in another thread, my reasons for wanting aluminum as the table surface are as follows:
- The MDF table surface screws in from the bottom of the machine and, for me, would be a major PITA to change. The aluminum would never need changing.
- An aluminum base layer will not be harmed by stuff like bit-lubricants for cutting aluminum.
- It will not be damaged by repeated screwing in of replacement top layer waste boards.
- I feel I would have a secure surface to create some kind of easy attach and remove mechanism for the Vortex 4th axis. (One can unscrew from the aluminum as many times as needed, unlike MDF)
- I’ll be using an OPT 45W laser sometimes and I like the idea that there would be no flammable layer underneath the work piece.
- Gain a little Z-axis height.
Anyone see any downsides?