5' x 5' CNC Router Build

Nice clean work (as usual), Darren.

Tell me more about the blue Strat in the background. ;) I love that color.
Thanks!

The Strat is a Kramer Focus 2000 I bought from a classmate in HS, unfortunately he stripped the original Floyd Rose Locking tremolo off of it and put a non-locking version on it. I've tried replacing it a couple of times but its got a wider pivot pin distance than the FL II and knockoff versions, so need to find an original FL.

The paint on it is original and has a pearl coat under it that really pops in the right lights. In incandescent light it looks more green, but under some 3000k and higher lights, the blue really starts to pop.

We have another classmate that was in a semi one hit wonder early 90s band, they got sponsored by Kramer, he ended up with several custom guitars from them before they went belly up.
 
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Not much got done today on the cnc, but I've been trying to solve an issue with the wire size for my spindle. Unless I moved the VFD to ride on the carriage, the cable size recommended was 16 awg, which wasn't going to fit the connector supplied for the spindle. :huh:

I bought the recommended 16 awg cable, which was doubled shielded with braiding, foil, and ground wire. The diameter of the wire with it's shielding and insulation was about 13mm, the spindles connector allows for about 6 - 7 mm.

I found another on amazon, which was a 20mm vs a 16mm plug and looked to allow for the larger cable. I was hoping the hole drilled on the end of my spindle may be big enough, but no such luck.

So after disassembling the new connector, I found I may have an option to make it work with the original connector. Off to visit the mini lathe. :D
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My idea was to create a groove in the original connector and trim off the clamping portion.
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This worked like a charm.
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What was left of the original connector threaded on to the female portion of the plug.
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A quick test fit of the new 16 awg cable.
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I ordered some limit switches the other day, they arrived tonight.

They look to be decent quality. The sliding bar is adjustable, both in length, but also a set screw on the side to adjust the angle at which it sits on the shaft. Pushing the bar left or right will toggle the switch.
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There are screw terminals inside for NO and NC, again the toggle of the switch in either direction, toggles between the two states.
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The strain relief cord is actually a bit larger than the 18/4 shielded wire I have, but some shrink tub should shim it nicely. I know 18/4 is overkill for limit switches, but bought 500' of it since it was buying a 100' was the same price. I may also upgrade to proximity switch/sensors later, so will need at least 3 wires for those.
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Still working on cables, got all the ends on the motor cables for inside the cabinet, dressed them up a little with some shrink tube.
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Also reprinting the rear panel for those and the limit switch plugs to mount to. The holes were a bit too tight on the first one.
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I'll probably start making holes in the cabinet tomorrow, mount some wheels on it, and get ready to move the control panel into it.
 
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Spent a few minutes this afternoon installing the main plug on the cabinet.
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Also added the motor connector/cables to the rear patch panel that printed overnight.
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Tomorrow after the grand kids go home I'll probably try to get the caster on the bottom and make up some of the limit switch cables for the rear panel.
 
This evening I got the fan re-located to the back of the cabinet
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I also starting installing casters to the bottom, but was short one rivet nut. At each location was the bolt holding the bottom to the frame of the cabinets, but I've technically put two rivets in each location, so will probably eliminate the bolts. I have more rivet nuts coming this week, so will finish these up later.
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BTW, Was a great sunset tonight, which I realized looking at the photo above. This pic doesn't quite do it justice, but enjoyed the moment.
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Brown dropped of the rivet nuts today, so I got the casters installed. The flat washers may not have been necessary, but I bought them, so they got used. :D There are lock washers between them and the bolt heads.
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I ordered a 5/16-18 mandrel for the rivet nut riveter. There are a couple of larger factory holes top/bottom of the cabinet on each side of the back I'll put rivet nuts into. I plan to use them to mount the monitor bracket to. Should get it welded up this week/weekend.

I still need to make up the limit switch cables, pickup an electrical box and cut a hole for it for the main switch, and pickup a 7/8" hole saw or larger step bit for the spindle connection mount. Once those are done, I'll move the control panel into the cabinet.
 
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