On my Altmill table, I want to open the ‘bay’ between the first two cross members, and in that 11 1/4" space mount a vertical clamping slot for tenons, a RapidChange ATC, and a Vortex 4th axis, such that, and this is point of my question: so that the axis of the 4th is level with the spoil board. Building a solid structure is no sweat. I see two advantages; better clearance for tool height, and easier to reach across to the remaining 3’ x 4’ of spoil board that will still get the most of my attention. Anybody raise any red flags? Thanks.
@RobLM I’m interested to see your design. I have a Long Mill. I have a cut out for corner joinery. It is very basic, but it gets the job done. I don’t use it for simple tenons as I have a router table and a tenoning jig for my table saw. Both are more efficient that using the CNC.
I have been considering doing something about mounting the Vortex below the table. I would like to make it so that I can raise and lower it, but I think that’s a bit much. I’m looking into ways to modify the rail setup so that I can carve larger pieces. Right now, because of the distance from the centre of the headstock and tailstock (the swing), the max size of material is just less than 4" in diameter. I would like to figure out a way to go bigger. So far, it has eluded me.
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Thanks for the encouraging response. I’ll sketch up my idea and come back.
In spite of the day job, and a life, I’m back. I sketched out my idea:
See how tightly my three add-ons squeeze in:
The short version vortex. (more on that later)
A slot, centered, to access the ends of panels.
A RapidChange ATC, the simple 4 tool, with a tool setter.
Set that closest to the operator and CPU for easy access,
and so that I can devise a simple trip lever to move a lid for dust prevention.
I already build a shelf at the middle of the legs, and weighed it down with stone,
so I’ll have fun today clearing all that and building the simple shelf.
Anyone shout a warning?
THanx!
Bonus side view with legs and rails hidden for clarity:
At the risk of dating myself: Danger Will Robinson, Danger, Danger!
I’ve got kids your age.
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@RobLM Tks much, Rob. It is much much fancier than mine. Of course, pretty much everything is. In my previous comments, I didn’t take into account that you would be using the short Vortex.
From the drawings, it looks like the centre axis of the vortex is the same height as the top of the spoilboard, correct? One thing to think about will be any implications of that as you surface the spoilboard over time. I’m not saying that there will be any. I’m simply saying that, if you have based some operational assumptions on those two things being of equal height, those assumptions will go south over time.
I like the idea that the Vortex stays in place. Right now, I remove mine when I am not using it. That’s a bit of a pain. I’m still looking for a way to increase the swing of the Vortex so that I can carve larger pieces. It’s quite limiting in its current/stock configuration.
May I suggest, and this is in reference to my earlier comment on the length of the Vortex,
and this is a very quick sketch so imagine a lot more structure and thought,
That’s about a 5" radius but the limiting factor is the height of Z with a bit in place:
Nah. You know what? Making the diameter of the Vortex any bigger is a futile exercise; expensive and not worth the hassle. The reviews of it as is are great, and most of what I want to make is small.
@RobLM I thought of that. The issue then is how do you mount shorter pieces?
You are right. It is very good as is. I simply would like to do projects larger than 3" in diameter.
Is that 3" diameter or radius? I went to the “measurements” page on Vortex
but it was kind of a mess. What is the maximum height/width & length?
Perhaps the onshape page for the Vortex will help you determine the maximum radius/diameter. It looks like 3"+ radius to me there.
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Yup. That’s where I got that image, from their model, which I downloaded. 3" radius, 6" diameter is plenty for now. I’ll take one straight out of the box. Won’t get fancy with any DIY mods until I actually need to.
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Once again I find myself with a thread of my own making, and my original question is resolved, but I don’t know how to say enough. Where’s the “solution” button?
@RobLM My apologies, Rob. I missed your question about max size. 3" is radius.
There is no solution box for this category. I will close the topic in light of your resolving your issue.