Changes

That idea hasn't worked out. 2022 has had a number of challenges and it wasn't until late summer when I was really able to start to work on this. After doing some research I purchased some equipment from [http://www.mesanet.com Mesa Electronics] that burned out. When I contacted them for replacements, they indicated they had no inventory and would only know when they had more when the truck backed up to their dock.  

That idea hasn't worked out. 2022 has had a number of challenges and it wasn't until late summer when I was really able to start to work on this. After doing some research I purchased some equipment from [http://www.mesanet.com Mesa Electronics] that burned out. When I contacted them for replacements, they indicated they had no inventory and would only know when they had more when the truck backed up to their dock.  

Also, one of the main issues with the existing machine is that its cuts were not fantastic; everyone who has used the machine has likely noted that the edges are generally wavy. This is as a consequence of the table being insufficiently stiff allowing wobble, especially when doing curves at higher speeds. The thought is that this ''may'' be mitigated by adding some crossbars underneath, but this is not certain and when I investigated how much the metal would cost this past summer, it was ridiculously expensive.

Also, one of the main issues with the existing machine is that its cuts were not fantastic; everyone who has used the machine has likely noted that the edges are generally wavy. This is as a consequence of the table being insufficiently stiff allowing wobble, especially when doing curves at higher speeds. The thought is that this ''may'' be mitigated by adding some crossbars underneath, but this is not certain and when I investigated how much the metal would cost this past summer, it was ridiculously expensive.

 

While we're at it, let's discuss the fact that the pan is warped, leading to the materials not sitting perfectly flat when on the table. Oh and the gearing is especially janky, allowing the gantry to wiggle back-and-forth. And, even after spending literal hours cleaning the rails with [https://zep.com/products/industrial-purple-cleaner-and-degreaser-5-gallon-pail-r45815 industrial Zep], the machine still looks like crap.  

Throw in that I just don't have the time to cobble together a control box, weld the supports, etc., with no certainty that the cut quality will improve, or for that matter, that it will work at all; I have been very public about my lack of experience in this area and while it's fun to learn, and just in the bit I have done I've learned quite a bit, there's no certainty the machine will be up and running anytime soon.

Throw in that I just don't have the time to cobble together a control box, weld the supports, etc., with no certainty that the cut quality will improve, or for that matter, that it will work at all; I have been very public about my lack of experience in this area and while it's fun to learn, and just in the bit I have done I've learned quite a bit, there's no certainty the machine will be up and running anytime soon.

Thus I essentially am saying that we should give up on the existing machine, in total, and replace it with a new one.

Thus I essentially am saying that we should give up on the existing machine, in total, and replace it with a new one.

== Have a Particular Machine in Mind? ==

== Have a Particular Machine in Mind? ==