Hello everyone,
I’m about to buy an ATMILL 2x4 because I need to renovate my entire fitted kitchen. I have to temporarily set up the CNC machine in the house, and the doorways aren’t very wide.
The 2x4 will be perfectly adequate for the job, but once this project is finished, I have other projects in mind, and the machine will go to my workshop, which can accommodate a 4x4.
So my question is: has anyone here already completed this 2x4 to 4x4 upgrade? If Sienci Labs can sell me the two complete Y-axis rails (without the motors), all that would be left to do is extend the cable tray and the cables, so nothing insurmountable.
I’d be interested in your feedback, and thank you in advance!
David (France)
Would the 4x4 fit in the kitchen while you do your renovations? If so, why the 2x4? You mention doorways so it’s not clear if theres a constraint for moving the Altmill from the kitchen to your shop once completed.
Fwiw, you don’t have to use the supplied legs for the Altmill. You can set it up in a temporary table if that’s easier. Then it’s just a question if moving the table from one location to another.
In any case, I don’t think there’s an upgrade path from the 2x4 to the 4x4. They do it for the Longmill, but not for the Altmill as far as I’m aware.
The ATMILL 4x4 will never fit on my patio. I’m planning to assemble the CNC in my living room, then use casters to move it to my enclosed patio, which will serve as a temporary workshop. The 4x2 will just barely fit through the living room door once assembled, and through the front door to the temporary workshop.
I envisioned hinged the four legs of the 4x4 at their midpoints, allowing it to tilt and be moved on casters mounted on the edges of the CNC, much like how heavy hospital beds are moved using a set of casters.
If Senci Labs would be willing to sell me a set of two Y-rails for the 4x4 later, once the CNC is in my workshop, that would be perfect.
It is very easy to assemble - and disassemble - the Altmill, so don’t bother with hinged legs, just remove and reattach them.
If you was me, I’d
buy a 4x4 altmill, and
buy two additional 2x4 “Y” extrusions
Then I’d assemble the parts as a 2x2 with the extra long Y drag chain and cables out on the porch, stick a couple of sawhorses under it and attach the legs. I’d have the two unused 4x4 Y rails and an unused X stringer/spoilboard support that I’d store in the workshop. Once the remodel is done, disassemble the 2x4 Altmill, and rebuild it as a 4x4 in your shop.
Alternately, you could find someone local who has a 2x4 and see if they would sell it to you for less than new$ (so that they could upgrade to a 4x4…), use it, sell it (again) and buy your own 4x4
