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very cool! thanks for sharing. I don't have the equipments to drill holes on aluminum parts, I will probably need to use https://8020.net/ https://8020.net/ to

very cool! thanks for sharing. I don't have the equipments to drill holes on aluminum parts, I will probably need to use https://8020.net/ https://8020.net/ to build one.

mfi 5y ago
Aluminium is quite soft, so it might work if you have access to a screwdriver and a step drill
- haliskerbas 5y ago
  I’m not an expert here but I’ve heard 8020 is expensive enough such that purchasing a drill press would probably be cheaper, if feasible, correct?
  - genewitch 5y ago
    There is also handheld drill press rigs that may be useful.
arnado 5y ago
You might also want to look at the mostly printed CNC, which uses standard conduit/pipe for the frame. https://docs.v1engineering.com/mpcnc/intro/ https://docs.v1engineering.com/mpcnc/intro/
- AdamTReineke 5y ago
  Be warned these plans require you to drill a couple holes in the conduit. I managed with just a handheld drill though the holes weren't quite aligned. Definitely use a file or hacksaw to create a flat spot on the conduit where you want the hole so the drill bit doesn't wander as easily.
  - Nick87633 5y ago
    Or a center punch (helps on flat metal too). One favorite trick of mine is to print out 1:1 drill pattern drawings and center-punch through the paper onto my metal workpiece for all the drill locations. Fast and accurate.
    - dekhn 5y ago
      Basically, 2D printers (you know, those $150 things) are exceptionally high precision and accuracy tools for making 2D drawings. I've been using printers for years and it never occurred to me you could use it to print a (for example) 10cm square.
      - jacquesm 5y ago
        You can if you are really nifty do limited scale PCB manufacturing this way. https://www.instructables.com/Creating-Printed-Circuit-Boards-with-a-INKJET-Prin/ https://www.instructables.com/Creating-Printed-Circuit-Board...
      - sokoloff 5y ago
        Fusion360 seems to try to prevent you from exporting PDFs with the free hobbyist version. One tip that I discovered was to create a CUPS printer on a Linux VM that saves PDF files. (I found it printed slightly off sized if I sent a 2D drawing straight to the printer.)
        dekhn 5y ago
        Yeah, you have to correctly configure the output to get dimensional accuracy. but it shouldn't involve finding some magic scaling factor for X and Y that makes things accurate. I've used Inkscape to make basic shapes, and pay for Fusion 360. TBH I've never actually thought to take one of my 3D Fusion models and use it to make a 2D template for drilling. That makes sense...
      - kragen 5y ago
        Inkjet yes, laser no.
convolvatron 5y ago
I use a cordless hand drill to drill and tap aluminum all the time (as does this project). adjust the speed until you are pulling out long ribbons instead of dust. you can use a little oil, but its not necessary. the only issue is trying to stay perpendicular to the work, but usually a little deflection doesn't matter. also pay attention to 'wowing', where instead of drilling your perfect round hole the drill bit starts to bounce around a triangle or pentagon and you end up making too big a hole. its often best to start with a pilot drill and then a final pass to clean it up. also its often easier to use a centering drill to setup the holes. it provides a pocket for the drill to rest in so that it doesn't wander, and you can use the centering drill to fine-tune the hole pattern before you make it permanent.
- sokoloff 5y ago
  To easily stay perpendicular to the work, use a tap guide block. You can 3D print one or drill one out of stock on a reasonably square drill press.
IgorPartola 5y ago
I picked up a used drill press for $45 or $50 (I don’t remember now), and a tap and die set from Amazon for about $20. 10/10 would recommend if you have the space.
0des 5y ago
Believe it or not, aluminum can be treated the same as wood when it comes to tools. Any drill that can drill wood can drill aluminum.

very cool! thanks for sharing. I don't have the equipments to drill holes on aluminum parts, I will probably need to use https://8020.net/ https://8020.net/ to build one.

mfi 5y ago

Aluminium is quite soft, so it might work if you have access to a screwdriver and a step drill

haliskerbas 5y ago
I’m not an expert here but I’ve heard 8020 is expensive enough such that purchasing a drill press would probably be cheaper, if feasible, correct?
- genewitch 5y ago
  There is also handheld drill press rigs that may be useful.

arnado 5y ago

You might also want to look at the mostly printed CNC, which uses standard conduit/pipe for the frame. https://docs.v1engineering.com/mpcnc/intro/ https://docs.v1engineering.com/mpcnc/intro/

AdamTReineke 5y ago
Be warned these plans require you to drill a couple holes in the conduit. I managed with just a handheld drill though the holes weren't quite aligned. Definitely use a file or hacksaw to create a flat spot on the conduit where you want the hole so the drill bit doesn't wander as easily.
- Nick87633 5y ago
  Or a center punch (helps on flat metal too). One favorite trick of mine is to print out 1:1 drill pattern drawings and center-punch through the paper onto my metal workpiece for all the drill locations. Fast and accurate.
  - dekhn 5y ago
    Basically, 2D printers (you know, those $150 things) are exceptionally high precision and accuracy tools for making 2D drawings. I've been using printers for years and it never occurred to me you could use it to print a (for example) 10cm square.
    - jacquesm 5y ago
      You can if you are really nifty do limited scale PCB manufacturing this way. https://www.instructables.com/Creating-Printed-Circuit-Boards-with-a-INKJET-Prin/ https://www.instructables.com/Creating-Printed-Circuit-Board...
    - sokoloff 5y ago
      Fusion360 seems to try to prevent you from exporting PDFs with the free hobbyist version. One tip that I discovered was to create a CUPS printer on a Linux VM that saves PDF files. (I found it printed slightly off sized if I sent a 2D drawing straight to the printer.)
      - dekhn 5y ago
        Yeah, you have to correctly configure the output to get dimensional accuracy. but it shouldn't involve finding some magic scaling factor for X and Y that makes things accurate. I've used Inkscape to make basic shapes, and pay for Fusion 360. TBH I've never actually thought to take one of my 3D Fusion models and use it to make a 2D template for drilling. That makes sense...
    - kragen 5y ago
      Inkjet yes, laser no.

convolvatron 5y ago

I use a cordless hand drill to drill and tap aluminum all the time (as does this project). adjust the speed until you are pulling out long ribbons instead of dust. you can use a little oil, but its not necessary. the only issue is trying to stay perpendicular to the work, but usually a little deflection doesn't matter. also pay attention to 'wowing', where instead of drilling your perfect round hole the drill bit starts to bounce around a triangle or pentagon and you end up making too big a hole. its often best to start with a pilot drill and then a final pass to clean it up. also its often easier to use a centering drill to setup the holes. it provides a pocket for the drill to rest in so that it doesn't wander, and you can use the centering drill to fine-tune the hole pattern before you make it permanent.

sokoloff 5y ago
To easily stay perpendicular to the work, use a tap guide block. You can 3D print one or drill one out of stock on a reasonably square drill press.

IgorPartola 5y ago

I picked up a used drill press for $45 or $50 (I don’t remember now), and a tap and die set from Amazon for about $20. 10/10 would recommend if you have the space.

0des 5y ago

Believe it or not, aluminum can be treated the same as wood when it comes to tools. Any drill that can drill wood can drill aluminum.