Post by killbucket on Jun 19, 2007 14:13:31 GMT -5
How many times have you needed just a bracket, or a widget to complete a project? Isn't it maddening to need the one item you couldn't possibly buy, anywhere?
If you could only make your own...
TURBOcad:
www.turbocad.com/Products/TurboCAD14/Deluxe/tabid/100/Default.aspx
Just $149.95, but I got mine at Fry's for less than $100.
EASY to learn, comes with tutorials. You will be designing stuff the first day!
So you draw what your heart desires, then print it at 100% actual size.
A step bit and a centerpunch are handy items to have for this project. we'll see the Scrollsaw a bit later...
Not seen in the next pic very well: First cover the sheet stock with contac paper. When you go to remove your layouts, you'll be happy you did. Get some spray adhesive and fix the prints to your chosen material:
Then mark and drill the holes. Do this with the parts still in as large as possible chunks. This will minimize fixturing, you can save a bunch of time doing this. Then cut out your parts using a Scrollsaw:
TOP SECRET: Use these, and only these, blades:
Vermont American #30423
(5" long, 11.5 teeth per inch, .045 blade depth, .017 thick.)
Cuts ABS and PVC like butter. Slow speeds are best for ABS.
Your freshly cut parts. If you're proud of your work, take pictures and show the world. Maybe show others how you did it:
Do a test assembly to make sure no fitting is needed.
The worst time to find out you needed to file an edge is after it has nice sticky glue all over it.
If everything fits, grab the glue or fasteners.
Maybe a coat of paint and some doodads:
You can make just about any bracket or other part you might need this way.
On materials:
ABS: Tough and tough to cut. Parts are nearly indestructable, they can be bent in half without breakage. You need a slow feed through the saw to avoid melting the cut back together behind the blade. Parts made of this are those under stress, like the barrel and mount trunnion on our guns.
PVC: Very easy to cut. Parts are light and reasonably durable. Parts will snap if bent over 90 degrees. Cuts easily and at fairly good speeds. Panels can be stacked with double-stick carpet tape to multiply production. Great for parts under minimal stress, like the lid and grips on our 1919's.
Aluminum: Much harder to cut, parts bend permanently if stressed. Great for parts that need heat resistance or high strength.
Glue:
Oatey #31862 heavy duty low voc gray PVC cement. This stuff holds like Grim Death. Use it everywhere but on aluminum, use JB weld for that. The PVC cement will also work great on ABS, but ABS cements do not bond to PVC.
And if you can get Epoxy (including JB weld) to stick to plastic, it won't be for long. Use a mechanical fastener of some type, JB can back up the bond to prevent movement.
If you could only make your own...
TURBOcad:
www.turbocad.com/Products/TurboCAD14/Deluxe/tabid/100/Default.aspx
Just $149.95, but I got mine at Fry's for less than $100.
EASY to learn, comes with tutorials. You will be designing stuff the first day!
So you draw what your heart desires, then print it at 100% actual size.
A step bit and a centerpunch are handy items to have for this project. we'll see the Scrollsaw a bit later...
Not seen in the next pic very well: First cover the sheet stock with contac paper. When you go to remove your layouts, you'll be happy you did. Get some spray adhesive and fix the prints to your chosen material:
Then mark and drill the holes. Do this with the parts still in as large as possible chunks. This will minimize fixturing, you can save a bunch of time doing this. Then cut out your parts using a Scrollsaw:
TOP SECRET: Use these, and only these, blades:
Vermont American #30423
(5" long, 11.5 teeth per inch, .045 blade depth, .017 thick.)
Cuts ABS and PVC like butter. Slow speeds are best for ABS.
Your freshly cut parts. If you're proud of your work, take pictures and show the world. Maybe show others how you did it:
Do a test assembly to make sure no fitting is needed.
The worst time to find out you needed to file an edge is after it has nice sticky glue all over it.
If everything fits, grab the glue or fasteners.
Maybe a coat of paint and some doodads:
You can make just about any bracket or other part you might need this way.
On materials:
ABS: Tough and tough to cut. Parts are nearly indestructable, they can be bent in half without breakage. You need a slow feed through the saw to avoid melting the cut back together behind the blade. Parts made of this are those under stress, like the barrel and mount trunnion on our guns.
PVC: Very easy to cut. Parts are light and reasonably durable. Parts will snap if bent over 90 degrees. Cuts easily and at fairly good speeds. Panels can be stacked with double-stick carpet tape to multiply production. Great for parts under minimal stress, like the lid and grips on our 1919's.
Aluminum: Much harder to cut, parts bend permanently if stressed. Great for parts that need heat resistance or high strength.
Glue:
Oatey #31862 heavy duty low voc gray PVC cement. This stuff holds like Grim Death. Use it everywhere but on aluminum, use JB weld for that. The PVC cement will also work great on ABS, but ABS cements do not bond to PVC.
And if you can get Epoxy (including JB weld) to stick to plastic, it won't be for long. Use a mechanical fastener of some type, JB can back up the bond to prevent movement.