MFT Router Sled Woodpeckers inspired

[Hawk Nest]

I have a slab of walnut that needed to be surfaced.  Seeing Woodpecker One Time tool Router Sled gave me an idea to use Open Builds extrusions and sliding gantry.  Open Builds is known for creating cost effective CNC style machines...check out their website.  I went with Open Builds because I can place NEMA driver motors on the X and Y axis and have this sled automated in the future...additionally, I can add to this unit a Z axis and have a CNC style machine for future playing.
I finally found a use for the MFT V groove and locate the uprights indexing off the groove.  When the spoiler board bit arrives, I will set the Z axis height of the router with plunging capabilities to set increments and mark the v groove to those values and purchase some Festool knobs and lock the height with the bottom channel on the MFT table.  I can use the holes in the MFT to clamp the slab or use clamping elements to hold....I see using PARF dogs in the future.  Everything slides very nicely X and Y axis, can't wait to try it out.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=18609]Hawk Nest[/member] looks good. Do you have a parts list or something?

Thanks

Ron

 

[Bernmc]

Following. Very nice

 

[Bob D.]

When I saw the WP sled I was thinking the same about my MFT, but was thinking of using a UHMW slide bearing in place of wheels to eliminate the problems with dust and debris.

I have a thick cedar slab I need to surface and adding rails to the MFT and building a sled seemed like the way to go. Only problem is those bearings I found are ~$50 each, so four bearings plus the rails and other hardware it's getting expensive for a jig I am not sure I will use that often.

 

[Cheese]

When I saw the WP sled I was thinking the same about my MFT, but was thinking of using a UHMW slide bearing in place of wheels to eliminate the problems with dust and debris.

I have a thick cedar slab I need to surface and adding rails to the MFT and building a sled seemed like the way to go. Only problem is those bearings I found are ~$50 each, so four bearings plus the rails and other hardware it's getting expensive for a jig I am not sure I will use that often.

Those bearings you mention are real nice for automation, however for your application these UHMW linear bearings will probably work and they're about $4 each. I purchased a couple of samples to check them out because I'd also like to make a sled.  [smile]

These are the double version, a single version is also available.

The T-nut inserted version takes a 10-32 screw.
https://8020.net/40-6595.html

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[Bob D.]

Thanks Cheese.

I have some pieces of 1" thick UHMW that I could probably mill some slides out of come to think of it.

 

[rst]

I've used 8020's bi-fold UHMW extrusion for various projects.
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