Some things I’ve “noticed” about my setup
- If the inserts are screwed in from the bottom to give clearance above, they tend to unscrew when the bolts bind.
- If the inserts are screwed in from the top to avoid that problem, the likelihood of hitting them with a bit approaches unity.
- With the clamps I have, the insert spacing is often “just a smidge too far”, and I end up using spacer strips to bridge the gaps…
- … which turns out to be a good thing because I no longer run quite as many bits through my clamps!
- I started with t-bolts and extruded tracks, but never got to like them due to clamp heights interfering with dust collection and safe-Z travel. They feel unnecessary with an AirWeight system…
I have a “one large sheet” GOAT board that requires rotation and tiling to reproduce. I’d like to migrate towards a modular version, but don’t want to sacrifice the Z-height for a combined base-board+waste-board stack. I presume one could tap screws into the AltMill’s aluminum runners and screw the modular waste-board down into them, but I’m unsure if the wall thickness of the extrusions will provide sufficient tap engagement. What is your experience?
At some point I want to experiment with a 90Ëš vertical stock holder (see Altmill with vertical board), so a modular baseboard system will be important.