Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT 3rd time's a charm with a 3 car workshop

[loganb]

Well Happy Lost Time of the Year in that weird between holidays time where it's a mix of nothing, everything and for those with with small humans the normal routines seem to go out the window with parties and tables of desserts

Santa fortunately found our house this year much to the delight of the kids....nothing too crazy for me under the tree as I may have treated myself well enough the past several months....welder....Nova.....accessories for the Nova.....new to me CNC last week.....so hopefully for 2026 I get more time to use/enjoy/break said new toys & tools

Christmas day did bring some uncommon weather....not often do we have upper 40's/low 50's and fog:



Way better then had it been 15 or 20 degrees cooler and it been slick!

I get some "pushback" from my wife about getting rid of things the kids have outgrown....so to try and avoid that while having the kids "buy in"....I set them to work cleaning the toy room and sorting all the stuff they don't play with or want to keep....in about 10 minutes we had a pretty good pile and when my wife found out what we were doing she was a bit taken back by the size of the pile they were ok with getting rid of



All the stuff in that cage or next to it is things they said they were done playing with....the pile got a lot taller which was great and pretty similar to the first step of a "5S" type event I've led in the factory before. On Monday or Tuesday the stuff goes to donation...hopefully I can get rid of some other stuff with it ....probably about time to do it with the garage too

We're hosting a smaller gathering at our place....once again overflow space in garage came in wonderfully handy...even tossed up a fireplace screensaver on the TV for some "ambiance" or something



Onward and upward for the rest of 2025....see how it goes and maybe I can get the new CNC moving around tonight!

 

[loganb]

Some progress on new CNC project occurred...



To recap....the larger CNC the baby machine is sitting on was bought from a coworker as a project....maybe 3 years ago? Couple of commercially available kits for framework and motion he started to work on and realized it was too small for his needs, so bought a much larger Avid and I bought this one for little less then component price....one of those projects I should have passed on.

I've put a new Z axis on it, got the CAD work started for how I will redo the Y axis....but haven't gotten much farther as life and kids and other things got in the way.

I've been debating on trying to unload the CNC as is and moving on, then replacing with something else that is not a diy project but haven't found what I may want, can justify in my head and fits in the space I'm willing to give up. There was a 4' x 2' Laguna this past spring that had other life events been different might have owned but timing wasn't right but continued to watch

So this one popped up, it's a couple models old so bit slower, but the size was such it could fit in the existing CNC bed so no new square footage devoted, plus work envelope wasn't bad at around 17 x 30 x 4.5" vertically. It has the upgrade to the router to be replaced with a spindle for quieter operation and less runout, takes ER 11 collets so will be running 1/4" shank bits primarily. It was nearby in the metro, and for $500 it should give me some experience and able to move it on down the road/south to Marc in KS when ready?

Because of the VFD for speed control and a little water cooling setup needing 12v....figured might as well improve the functional but to be desired wiring it came with. The control panel was already sitting exactly where it's shown as intention is it's the future panel for the larger machine....but as that's not doing much now this isn't hurting anything.



Pretty basic wiring as the motion control is all built into the machine. Large gray box is the 120v input VFD controlling the spindle...on/off, rpm, direction etc. The water cooling setup for spindle is 12v, power supply for that is that teal faced shiny metal box next to the vfd. Reusing as much of the wiring that came with it for now until I confirm it's all working(was demoed before I bought it) then will probably change a few things. If I like it enough once it's running there are some pretty simple "ease of operation" upgrades to be made.....but going to focus on making it work first...famous last words

 

[RickP]

That CNC looks like a great size to get you started machining.
Nice score off Marketplace!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

It was nearby in the metro, and for $500 it should give me some experience and able to move it on down the road/south to Marc in KS when ready?

You don't have to put fool ideas in the head of a fool....

 

[slik560]

 

[loganb]

Lol so true!

If it wasn't for the interest rate issue I probably would've moved in 2023 as 2 awesome garages with acceptable houses came up but with interest rate more then double vs current was included they were a no. I still have a Zillow alert or 2 for properties cause it's fun...but am accepting that no move for more garage space will happen so fitting 7 or 10 lbs of **** in a 5 lb bag becomes part of the fun

 

[loganb]

It's not my best wiring work, but I'm reminding myself it's also not the proper shielded cable and it worked fine for the prior owner

Before



After



And it at least powers up the spindle and it's turning and reversing directions....now to install the motion software and see if that works

 

[loganb]

It's not my best wiring work, but I'm reminding myself it's also not the proper shielded cable and it worked fine for the prior owner

Before



After



And it at least powers up the spindle and it's turning and reversing directions....now to install the motion software and see if that works

And it moves! Software installed and working, jogs around smoothly....so onto making it do something....but first need to

-Install new tubing for water cooling and complete wiring on pump and radiator fan
-Make cable strain relief/support for spindle cable
-wire up cabinet cooling fans...overkill for what's inside the cabinet but they're already installed so it's just wiring to an existing power supply
-Peruse the online sites for a dust boot I can 3d print

Then it's come up with a project to actually make....a selection of bits are here....so running out of excuses!

 

[loganb]

Cold and no school makes for a good day to visit the inside exhibits at the number 1 zoo in the country

 

[loganb]

Little garage progress after the zoo

Trip to box store got me some fasteners and 5/16" OD tubing so I could replace all the spindle cooling tube from pump to the spindle. Got that done and confirmed the pump and radiator fan power on....now to get the air out of the system. Not exactly sure what the additive that's in it is....once I get it fully running will see if I get enough motivation to fully flush and refill. As the garage is heated, not worried about it freezing




Started to looking at clamping fixture stuff....going to likely print a couple different types and see what I like

Starting with these toe clamp style ones:




File from here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/19...ing-edge-clamps-m5-hardware#profileId-2068665

I've since scaled it up so it fits 1/4-20 fasteners instead of M5 as there is a MDF bedplate with 1/4-20 threaded inserts on 1-5/8" centers, I may remodel it...see what I think after I actually get some time on them. Will confirm this new sizing works then probably get 8 or 10 total of this style made as a starting point. Will also find/model some eccentric style cam clamps and probably some old fashioned top contact hold down ones as well

 

[loganb]

It's very crude




But a couple of printed flanges for 1/2" EMT and a hack job of bending it and I have a bit of support for the cables. Another cable track is on order that should let me route the water cooling and router cable thru it, removing the need to support over the top like it's hacked together now. Will need a strain relief/support at the top of the Z axis to manage the angles of the cables but that should be straight forward

 

[loganb]

And this delivery from School House Spools should keep me in filament for a week or two



First time ordering, looking forward to give it a try! Lots of Gridfinity, CNC clamps and some prototype floor consoles for the Nova to make

 

[loganb]

Starting to work thru converting screw/bolt storage over to gridfinity. I've got a lot of it in a similar system that was less popular and before the Gridfinity system picked up steam so the organization is mostly done...but will take some time to get everything printed.

Using the Baseplate generator at the site below you can put in the drawer dimensions and print bed dimensions and it generates interlocking baseplates that fill the drawer so no dead space which is very handy. These are going in Vidmars that are 25" wide x 19" deep(drawer dimensions)

Gridfinity Generator

Parametric gridfinity generator. Generate custom gridfinity bins and baseplates, openGrid components, multiboard, and honeycomb storage wall then download the STL or place an order to purchase.

gridfinity.perplexinglabs.com

It'll be 4 or 5 hours of print time to print that set of 4 plates if I'm quick at starting the next plate. If I'm thinking ahead I'll print baseplates in the evening/weekend when I can change them out and bins that take longer go overnight

Going to change the hardware organization a bit and try and combine more of the smaller same diameter fastener together.



In Gridfinity speak that is a 3 unit x 6 unit bin which is roughly 5" x 10" and subdivided as shown. All M3 hardware, another one will get used for socket head cap screws and other misc M3 stuff. The height is setup so they'll stack (2) high in this cabinet, as I get to larger sizes I'll reduce the number of internal dividers, adjust the height etc to accommodate.

Printed in Polylite ABS as it prints very nice, fast and I have some to use up.

 

[patlun]

While I have been using that site (https://gridfinity.perplexinglabs.com/) for a while, I had not seen the Gridplates choice before. Thank you!

 

[loganb]

While I have been using that site (https://gridfinity.perplexinglabs.com/) for a while, I had not seen the Gridplates choice before. Thank you!

It's a huge improvement over manually piecing together drawer baseplates and making fillers for the sides!

 

[loganb]

Some Xmas present time with the daughter this morning



Snap circuits... So far the propeller launcher is the favorite

 

[loganb]

Back to CNC project

Trying to make the extra cable track fit

Laid out behind the current one




Existing is just supported with some L metal pieces



Low on thin metal laying around....but had some unistrut that fit over the tab



Needed some surgery for clearance on some other wires



Drill and tap for some flat head 8-32's



First one is getting some quick black paint....once I confirm it works like I want will finish the other 2

 

[loganb]

First bracket back on and chain carrier reattached with some M3 screws, last 2 have paint drying so should get installed tomorrow then I can reroute the spindle cable and coolant lines thru it

 

[loganb]

2 printers been working pretty solid on bins



Red ones are ABS, gray are PETG. I just don't care enough to have them all the same color and will probably try and use up some old material thru this project

Also got in a Nova project



LED tail and front turn signal conversion kit. Going to see if weather and schedule allows for it to return to the garage this weekend for some progress

 

[loganb]

New battery holders for the Makita 18v



Next up are some new holders for the M12 stuff

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Also got in a Nova project



LED tail and front turn signal conversion kit. Going to see if weather and schedule allows for it to return to the garage this weekend for some progress

Did the kit come with the correct flasher to remedy othe "hyperflash"...or maybe it's got a built in solution?

 

[loganb]

Did the kit come with the correct flasher to remedy othe "hyperflash"...or maybe it's got a built in solution?

We will find out! These are sequential operation in terms of the LED's light up in sequence across the board instead of all at once so hopefully no issues. Found him off a Nova site I'm now on...install should be straight forward so may try and do it over lunch one of these days

 

[loganb]

Glad this looks to be all the snow we will get out of this one



Although the 25 below wind chill isn't fun, it's easier to shovel then snow or ice. Hope those in the forecasted heavy snow/ice bands escape the worst of it.

 

[Boostingaz]

 

[loganb]

Looks like I lost this battle till one of the northern plains folks drop in...



Hope the animals are adjusting well!

 

[Boostingaz]

Looks like I lost this battle till one of the northern plains folks drop in...



Hope the animals are adjusting well!

The horses came from here and the calf was born last winter when it was freezing as well so he came out cold! So he was born adjusted lol

 

[loganb]

The horses came from here and the calf was born last winter when it was freezing as well so he came out cold! So he was born adjusted lol

Nice! We can both be glad we aren't in northern Minnesota....in good news the mosquitoes won't bother anyone today!

 

[Boostingaz]

Nice! We can both be glad we aren't in northern Minnesota....in good news the mosquitoes won't bother anyone today!

I laughed yesterday when I looked at the weather and IN was cooler than AK. I was thinking to myself, I didn't know I was signing up to have to deal with AK weather hahaha.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

0° ambient, -14° wind-chill, and 4" on the ground with more coming...wind just picked up also

 

[loganb]

0° ambient, -14° wind-chill, and 4" on the ground with more coming...wind just picked up also

This is Manhattan 20 min ago



At 6am it was maybe 2" so decent rate of snow considering how cold it is

 

[OutlawDrifter]

This is Manhattan 20 min ago



At 6am it was maybe 2" so decent rate of snow considering how cold it is

I got the same report from my cousin that lives there.

Stay warm up in your neck of the frozen wastelands

 

[loganb]

I got the same report from my cousin that lives there.

Stay warm up in your neck of the frozen wastelands

Same to you!

 

[slik560]

Odd that in the KC Metro Area, we may have 1/2 -1" so far. Really cold and windy. -1 /-17 wind chill. It's REALLY odd to think that we're on the northern edge of the storm that's headed east. It's still snowing, so it ain't over yet!

 

[Xti04]

Yall got 6 inches and all I got is rain thats slowly turning to ice. It was 50 degrees outside yesterday afternoon. Monday night is supposed to be 8 so I guess we get a little cold snap. Yall stay warm up there!

 

[wachuko]

After seeing that, I don’t feel too bad here in Florida .

 

[loganb]

Yall got 6 inches and all I got is rain thats slowly turning to ice. It was 50 degrees outside yesterday afternoon. Monday night is supposed to be 8 so I guess we get a little cold snap. Yall stay warm up there!

I'll take Uber cold for a bit over buckets of snow.....I don't have to shovel cold! I did go thru (2) 5ah batteries for the 18v leaf blower clearing the drive and sidewalk of the 1/2' or so of powdery accumulation.

 

[jake28]

Please send your snow and another 20 degrees of cold air to California.

Sincerely, the guy skiing when it’s 44 degrees out in January.

 

[loganb]

After seeing that, I don’t feel too bad here in Florida .

Good thing you got the insulation and mini split in when you did!

Please send your snow and another 20 degrees of cold air to California.

Sincerely, the guy skiing when it’s 44 degrees out in January.

It does seem like the places who need and want snow are lacking and those who don't want it at all are languishing in more then they want. Especially unfortunate for the ski areas who need it for business and ain't got squat

But I've never ski'ed a day in my life ...so it's all foreign to me. I will admit it looks more appealing than the half dozen ice fishing huts I saw on the nearby lake today.... especially on a catch and release only lake. But we all need a way to escape reality and our households....I just prefer mine to be a bit warmer then a hut on a frozen lake

 

[Boostingaz]

Woke up to this and still going......

 

[loganb]

Woke up to this and still going......

At least looks like enough for kids to play in if it warms up a bit!