To SOUTH AFRICAN builders - plzzzzzz

[shearder]

I'm on holiday in the Cape at the moment but will be back before the w/e, thus if you want to visit let me know. I can show you what I have done so far with FSXPAND as well.

That will be GREAT!!! I am interested in picking your brain on a couple of items. I can possibly be there on Thursday but to be safe I would rather say next week as i have a Stadium Inspection (Soccer City) on Friday and Saturday.

[fweinrebe]

Not a problem Fritz
They are at http://www.maizey.co.za/ - perhaps you can check the site out and find one that will be closest to where you will be.

I was in Cape Town a few weeks ago and visit Maizey in Paarden Island. Got everything I needed.

[shearder]

I was in Cape Town a few weeks ago and visit Maizey in Paarden Island. Got everything I needed.

GREAT news. I found a company that is going to manufacture panel faces from Lexan. They also have contacts for Perspex cutting however, it is with laser and they don't do annealing! So i am trying to find someone else to cut for me.

[fweinrebe]

GREAT news. I found a company that is going to manufacture panel faces from Lexan. They also have contacts for Perspex cutting however, it is with laser and they don't do annealing! So i am trying to find someone else to cut for me.

That's why I am building a CNC at the moment. Difficult to get someone else to do it here.

I am about 40% completed with the CNC. Just need a decent Power Supply and 6 more bearings then I have bought all the components needed.

So the Sim is on "hold" while I am building the CNC. But once it is working I will probably mess up a few pieces of MDF and Perspex before I get it done.

[shearder]

That's why I am building a CNC at the moment. Difficult to get someone else to do it here.

It must be a case of great minds LOL

I have also been planning a CNC. Where did you get your plans? What spindle will you use? I am contemplating my Dremel but again, possibly a cheap router with small bits.. not sure yet.

I am not 100% sure which plans to use - from CNCzone. Planning on size 23 steppers from RS. Not sure 100% though.

[fweinrebe]

I am not 100% sure which plans to use - from CNCzone. Planning on size 23 steppers from RS. Not sure 100% though.

I am building a Hybrid: Rockcliff Model A, mixed together with this one. I am mixing the design to get the best of both worlds. I guess one can call it a pavement special.

The stepper motors (285oz size 23) and controller kit was bought from www.hobbycnc.com. They ship to the RSA. I bought the Pro version 3-axis.

I've got a Dremel imitation which I want to use in the beginning and then move to a larger router. Some guys use a 800W router.

[shearder]

I am building a Hybrid: I am mixing the design to get the best of both worlds. I guess one can call it a pavement special.

The stepper motors (285oz size 23) and controller kit was bought from www.hobbycnc.com. They ship to the RSA. I bought the Pro version 3-axis.

I've got a Dremel imitation which I want to use in the beginning and then move to a larger router. Some guys use a 800W router.

Yeah I have seen the rockcliff design. Have you bought the plans for it? I saw someone with a ryobi router - and it seems pretty simple to strip to be used for the purpose. Will you be doing circuit boards too or just cutting perspex etc?

I will check out hobbycnc - thanks for that. I am a bit against using my Dremel but i see a lot of CNC setups using it. Perhaps by a spare one for R300 odd bucks or look in the junk mail.

[fweinrebe]

Yes I bought the Rockcliff CNC plans. It was a good investment for me. I also saw the 800W Ryobi Router used by someone is SA. I have a 1200W Ryobi Router, but don't know if it will fit properly. It has a speed control so it is more flexible.

I am definitely looking at making PCBs. My first real application for my Sim will be to cut the PFD, EICAS and GPS screen areas and the button holes for the MFD buttons and GPS. Then the front covers for the COM and Nav radio. Also of course the outstanding Panel engravings.

That other CNC can also be found at http://computer-numerical-control.wpblogspot.com/. It has some good info and detail that is missing from the Rockcliff CNC. The Rockcliff uses brass ring bearings whereas the wpblogspot one uses small roller bearings.

I also just realised I need a descent Power Supply. So I am ordering some components from RS. Another R1000-00 for that. I was hoping to use a PC PSU but that is not good enough.

[shearder]

[QUOTE=fweinrebe]Yes I bought the Rockcliff CNC plans.[\quote] I think i may do that too.

I am definitely looking at making PCBs. My first real application for my Sim will be to cut the PFD, EICAS and GPS screen areas and the button holes for the MFD buttons and GPS. Then the front covers for the COM and Nav radio. Also of course the outstanding Panel engravings.

My plan too!! But i found that there is a woman in centurion that cuts with laser - i don't think she does annealing but i guess i could do that!

That other CNC can also be found at http://computer-numerical-control.wpblogspot.com/. It has some good info and detail that is missing from the Rockcliff CNC.

I will check it out. Thanks!

The Rockcliff uses brass ring bearings whereas the wpblogspot one uses small roller bearings.

yes i saw that and linear bearings are seriously expensive!!

I also just realised I need a descent Power Supply. So I am ordering some components from RS. Another R1000-00 for that. I was hoping to use a PC PSU but that is not good enough.

It really is MONEY MONEY MONEY.. I decided to get a company here to just make my boards for me - so i will collect 7 boards for around R1300 (to start with - needs around 11) and the rest as the pit grows.

I thought with Xmas coming up and us planning a holiday I better not spend all the money LOL - so i guess the CNC was a good idea but will have to wait for now considering i STILL need switches, knobs etc... what i am battling to find here is 8way rotary switches.

Tell me, what dimensions did you use? As i mentioned i have a company making lexan panels to stick on the perspex but they are battling with the CAD drawings i have - losing the lettering - and they can't print direct from a JPG. SO it's between a rock and a hard place.

[fweinrebe]

Tell me, what dimensions did you use? As i mentioned i have a company making lexan panels to stick on the perspex but they are battling with the CAD drawings i have - losing the lettering - and they can't print direct from a JPG. SO it's between a rock and a hard place.

If you mean the size of the CNC. I made it bigger than the standard Rockcliff. The size of the base is 1m x 610mm. (The standard Rockcliff base is 710mm x 500mm) The workable size I calculated at 450mm x 450mm. Hope it works out.

The PC9M panel I have is 400mm high, so it must fit in there.