Scratch Build Lean and Green - 20-Dec-12 - preview of next project & status update

[kinghong1970]

Holy smokes... that's one detailed response...

Originally Posted by Waynio

The 30" model because there wasn't a big difference in price to the 20" & it gives better capacity, was £528 when I bought it so has gone up in value which is a good sign of how good it is.

yea, i actually opted for a 16" model as i plan to do my larger cuts in my soon-to-be finished cnc router... but damn, that's big!

Originally Posted by Waynio

Some negative words in the reviews part about it bending the ends of blades, it's true it does but it isn't a problem at all but it gets worse if using crazy high teeth per inch jewellers type piercing blades with them being really weak so it can cut the tips off if you don't fine tune the tension for them or if you over tighten the blade clamps but once you snap ends off once you should know why they snapped off which should make you learn what not to do to not break blades.

i saw this on one of the reviews, wasn't there a set screw (left side when facing machine) that you can use some thread locker and pull it back so that the saw blade does not get pinched?

cut back on coffee...

Originally Posted by Waynio

Here's my take on it though.
I know you probably only want to know if I'm happy with it but I'll cover why I am could just say it's awesome but it deserves more, I came from a little usage of a rock bottom budget scroll saw which I quickly wore out, I think tools that aren't exactly cheap in the first place but easily fail are actually the expensive ones because if I tried doing what I done so far on this project I would have broken a load of them by now which would be far more expensive than this 1 saw I know it looks a very expensive tool but I figured it's something I'd use a lot & it would be a great tool but wow, it's outstanding, a tool that can make ME burn out instead of the other way around like I'm used to with tools other than files, I'd say a good fair price for how good it is & the things I can do with it.

after getting burned from lot of cheap brands, i actually jumped at the opportunity to buy the 16" model... thanks for your opinion though... it is expensive but good tools are built to last...
my ryobi broke down on first use...

cut back on coffee...

Originally Posted by Waynio

It's an excellent saw mate, strong torque, doesn't use much electric 320W on full speed, great up/down action, changing blades really easy & quick, I never have to mess with the tension control thanks to the way you load blades which lets you partially pull the quick tension lever down for finer blades, can use band saw blades cut to size, not tried hacksaw blades but will do & thinking of modding some files to be used in the machine also but that might be pushing too far lol, can quickly & easily make your own sanding blades very cheaply which produce excellent results, cutting arm tilts which is good for doing bevels without the need for the work surface tilting but I'm still working on getting good at scroll saw bevel cutting, pretty difficult, it weighs a lot so prevents vibrations even when not fixed to a table as long as you don't go past 2/3rds of the speed but it would be better still if mounted to a strong table for that final bit of stability which should make it completely vibration less at all speeds for the speeds I use it at & still not even mounted I can place my coffee on the work top & it doesn't generate ripples, nice & quiet also but metal work is noisier but only when forcing it to cut a little faster, if going at the saws own pace it can be quiet, should always do that really but it takes much longer.

cool... i like how this model has less vibration than some of the other machines... looking forward to it. cut back on coffee...

Originally Posted by Waynio

I read of people having an issue with the blade not doing a perfect up/down action & mine wasn't also but only off by a tiny tiny bit, some said to fix that you just un-do the motor, twist it round & fix back up, made it pretty much perfect for me.

ah, you mean the back and forth motion of the blade? i believe that you can loosen the screws holding the motor and rotate the motor to control the amount the blade does... simple machine and yet has enough adjustments to make it work...

oh, coffee thing...

Originally Posted by Waynio

One thing that isn't too great is the lack of front table, although with it being like that you can get closer to your work to see what you are doing better so probably a good thing really but if working a heavy big piece it makes it hard to work creating a need to support the piece with 1 hand while guiding with the other, not ideal but it is easily sorted by making an extension table for whenever you need the extra support, I made one but wasn't precise enough so still need to make a sturdy & precise one that I can properly mount on/off quickly & that problem will be sorted.
It would be easy to make a new bigger top as it only has the blade opening slot, a bunch of dust holes around it & 4 countersunk mounting holes & all edges are smoothed so if I wanted to I could very easily make a bigger better top.

i heard of the dewalt model users actually tipping the saw forward to be closer to the blade... this model enables you to be closer w/o tipping... but i guess it's something to get used to... good idea on the support... and if you did not get one, get the foot pedal on/off switch so you can keep both hands on work.

Originally Posted by Waynio

Overall I'm very happy I went for it, the price seemed a heck of a lot at the time but as soon as I started using it I knew it was by far my best tool so was a good purchase & still think so with well over 200 hours put in on it, must be at least that many hours I've been sawing with it now, had many all day sessions on it & heaps of partial days but I don't keep track of precisely how many I do so could even be over 500 lol.

btw, did i say that you're nuts to have made so much cuts? lol... work of art tho!

Originally Posted by Waynio

Man, you only asked if I like it I should cut back on coffee but that is the magic juice that fuels my crazy but focused happy ways.

and mental note... be careful of questions you ask to Waynio...


much appreciate your thorough reply...

and keep up the awesome work!

[Mosquito]

Yes... if you want "short and sweet" it's best not to ask Waynio

However, if you want more details than you could possibly remember, and honest opinions...



Still can't wait to see it finished! I'm having a hard time visualizing the fan controller (too stubborn to look back at the renders)

[Waynio]

Originally Posted by Paslis

Nice job with the fancontroller waynio. Keep them updates comming.

Thanks Paslis & will do mate just had a slight set back with the templates not staying stuck while I cut, had to re print some bits that are prone to bubbling up so another little cutting, aligning, tacking & sticking session ahead before I cut again but it's all going in the right direction but not without little hiccups, the cutting is going great but yeah the pesky templates coming loose on any thin areas.

Originally Posted by bulldogjeff

Like it mate, looks like it grew there

Cheers Jeff, it's basic but should add some nice extra detail to the front as well as give some light & noise control, it's rated for 30w per channel, had no idea I'd end up using fan controllers again but I've said to some before that they could benefit from some active cooling so thought I'd practice what I preached so won't be having meltdowns again I prefer control knobs to touch screen anyway, better control, did you get the super random prize fan controller Jeff?.

I'll be doing water cooling next lol.

Originally Posted by kinghong1970

Holy smokes... that's one detailed response...

More coffee, more ramblah blah blah should probably switch to tea cheers mate.

Originally Posted by Mosquito

Yes... if you want "short and sweet" it's best not to ask Waynio

However, if you want more details than you could possibly remember, and honest opinions...



Still can't wait to see it finished! I'm having a hard time visualizing the fan controller (too stubborn to look back at the renders)

Cheers Mos.
Save you the trouble.

[Cleveland216]

Love the Fan grill design, Keep up the great modding work!!!!!!!!

[craig - toyoracer]

Great re-make Wayne, that's looking real good.

Always love your replies to questions Never change mate.

[bulldogjeff]

I never did get it Wayne, I've spoken to Antony about a few times. Not sure whats happening with it. I'll have to give him a shout again.

[Waynio]

Originally Posted by Cleveland216

Love the Fan grill design, Keep up the great modding work!!!!!!!!

Thanks Cleveland & you you too mate, your doing awesome consistent progress, I'm feeling like a massive slacker while trying to find some of that crazy persistence I had before May, it'll come eventually but I just have to throw myself deep into it to get back there again.

Originally Posted by craig - toyoracer

Great re-make Wayne, that's looking real good.

Always love your replies to questions Never change mate.

Thank you Craig.

Originally Posted by bulldogjeff

I never did get it Wayne, I've spoken to Antony about a few times. Not sure whats happening with it. I'll have to give him a shout again.

I really thought you would have had it long ago, gutted, been like 6 months now eh.

I'll try to throw myself back into this now & get progressing again because I'm feeling like a total slacker.

[Angel OD]

I still feel like you're taking the easy way out... Making everything on a scroll saw, instead of getting it laser cut.. pfff!

I love this build more and more every time I enter this worklog!

[Waynio]

Originally Posted by Angel OD

I still feel like you're taking the easy way out... Making everything on a scroll saw, instead of getting it laser cut.. pfff!

I love this build more and more every time I enter this worklog!

Cheers Angel mate.

I just got to get off my rear & get back in the workshop & get the bug to keep moving forward, once I do things will really start rolling again.

Trying to start back on it today, quieter work so ok to do at night time, energy & focus levels are good now so I could start again.

---
I've turned into such a wuss since before May lol, just not been able to apply myself properly.

[BLUEHORSESTUDIOS]

Moving along at a beautiful pace, and producing stellar work.

[Waynio]

Originally Posted by BLUEHORSESTUDIOS

Moving along at a beautiful pace, and producing stellar work.

Thanks mate appreciated, I would like to be going the same pace as before May though but at least things are moving slightly again now.

Craig toyoracer mentioned about the distance of cut work earlier in the project & since then I've been curious to know & figured some new things out on sketchup, 1 bit being seeing the length of all edges.

I'll be going waaaaaay past 100 meters of cut work on this by the time it's complete, no wonder it's taken so long & still so much ahead, this is truly good scroll saw exercise though, incredibly dreary but good exercise which helps make things easier in the future, this is why it's so daunting going at the panels on this, you just know it takes a long time to do & you need a special mind-set to not think about that & just go at it else you can wind up thinking too much of how long it takes which is where I'm stuck at the moment, I had the same problem while doing the gamer side panels, I know the solution but it's moving to it that isn't easy.

Gamer side panels as expected are the craziest coming in at just shy of 15 meters each, this will be why they took like 2 massive sessions to do each one.


But the craziest IMHO is yet to be done, the lowest front pattern is small 180mm x 86mm & weighs in at 7 meters of very intricate cutting, this piece was going to be in 3mm Maple wood which would have been easy & speedy to drill & cut but is now 3mm aluminium so think it's gonna be hell to do & I can easily see myself having big difficulties doing just the drilling alone on that because only a 1mm drill bit will be able to give access to many of the tight waves & here is the problem I keep breaking the 1mm bits when drilling 3mm aluminium with my tight budget drill press so a redesign of that part might be needed, I'll soon find out, hope I can drill it though without getting too many broken drill bits, I'm bound to get at least 1, they break real easily.


It puts things into better perspective knowing how much actual distance I've been doing, gives me a good idea of how much I can get through in a certain amount of time so I could now go at it with a realistic goal checkpoint to reach before calling it a day but the thickness is a mystery factor if not worked before, this is for sure.

I was looking around for a good pedestal to put this on when it's done but I don't fancy paying £200+ for a nice one when I think of the materials I could buy instead with a lot less & I want to be sure it will be strong enough, this is first version so no doubt I'll develop it further but I think this will be the basic form of it.








Looks even more strange now I'd say that's because this is the vanilla v0.1 but if I do do something like this I will make a 3mm panel that is like a tracing of the bottom of the rig so it slots in place when putting it on.


Figured I'd better show some actual real stuff also.
2 extra fan frame pieces, they were made extra difficult to make with the templates coming loose, 1 more method to try for getting a good stick before I just stick them to the bare aluminium but I think that will give the best sticking power.


Luckily I didn't see how the fan controller fits into the front panel so have something good to show.




There is still an acrylic piece to be made that goes over the control knobs & continues the bevel edge to make a surrounding bevel round the display & gives the aluminium underneath a different tone.

More soon.

[Shurika]

I still can not figure out how it will look in its final form, but should be something outstanding and original!

[Sarakon]

This is going to be HUGE!! And I like that stand, although I'm not sure it quite suits it just yet, but as you said it's only version one and it might change
The length that you have cut is very long as well. I still admire your dedication to this project!!

[Cleveland216]

I Love this Build! It has an elegant beauty to it. I can't wait to see it finish in the future, can your head down and focus on-modding.

[Cleveland216]

GGGRRRrrrrrr to that fan controller. I am looking at it real in-depth now. Something about those round knobs just sticking out on the outside of an elegant case design. In my opinion, it cheapens the look of the case. I think a knob design change could possibly do. I was thinking recess the knobs somehow or if you can totally get rid of it and electronically control the speed that would be even better.

All in my OPINION. You can tell me to go chew the grit off sandstone rocks, if you think I'm crazy, lol.

[Waynio]

Originally Posted by Shurika

I still can not figure out how it will look in its final form, but should be something outstanding and original!

Neither can I really, like others saying how it looked a lot better in reality compared to the sketchups, even if it isn't the prettiest of things as long as it functions as it should & looks interesting I'll be happy, could have done it a lot plainer & had it done long ago.

That's what I used to do, create a blank canvas case & then add detail but doing it all as each panel is made this time, thanks Shurika.

Originally Posted by Sarakon

This is going to be HUGE!! And I like that stand, although I'm not sure it quite suits it just yet, but as you said it's only version one and it might change
The length that you have cut is very long as well. I still admire your dedication to this project!!

It looks silly tall now with the custom pedestal but I'd say no higher than the gaming stack with air cube on top that I made a couple of cases ago put it on a normal pedestal & it looks more normal, thanks Sarakon.

Originally Posted by Cleveland216

I Love this Build! It has an elegant beauty to it. I can't wait to see it finish in the future, can your head down and focus on-modding.

Thanks Cleveland, mod on I will, yes.

Originally Posted by Cleveland216

GGGRRRrrrrrr to that fan controller. I am looking at it real in-depth now. Something about those round knobs just sticking out on the outside of an elegant case design. In my opinion, it cheapens the look of the case. I think a knob design change could possibly do. I was thinking recess the knobs somehow or if you can totally get rid of it and electronically control the speed that would be even better.

All in my OPINION. You can tell me to go chew the grit off sandstone rocks, if you think I'm crazy, lol.

Go eat some sandstone rocks ya crazy git joking.

I know, I was playing with alternative ideas last night, worked out quite a few that might be nice or plain ewww lol, seen something that would be perfect but they out of stock chrome dice with circuit board type etching on, figured they would look sweet on the ends of the knobs since it's a gaming rig also, another was really nice marbles & even chrome ball bearings.

I do know I won't be changing plans of what fan controller I use though as it's precision cut for that design so I just have to make it nicer looking now.

Ultimately I WILL make the knobs look better, after some messing.

[Cheapskate]

The world's first 8 foot tall ITX computer! I think you should pay attention to the fact that the outline resembles a sledgehammer.

[Sarakon]

Originally Posted by Cheapskate

The world's first 8 foot tall ITX computer! I think you should pay attention to the fact that the outline resembles a sledgehammer.

I didn't even see that. You see the weirdest things But it made me take another look at that render and when I now separated the build from the pedestal it actually looks quite good, but still very tall At first I considered it as 'part' of the build which originally made it look weird.

[munkey]

It only took me a week of shirking my corporate responsibilities to catch up on this log but I'm glad I did. Waynio that is an awesome case and I very much look forward to seeing the rest of it come together.

[AnG3L]

The controller looks so so sooooooooooo sexyy!!! I am looking forward to see what you are going to do with the mobo i/o area but I am sure that you are going to nail it again!