GoMachV's Pin Router thread (for reproducing 2d parts)

[GoMachV]

$24 on ebay I wasn't allowed to take one off the late model but it did spark the idea last weekend haha

[jwscab]

nice! i love coming up with new uses for things.

carry on.

[GoMachV]

Made some progress table is 3/4" MDF and its screwed, glued, and doweled together. Stand is by Craftsman. One of the perks of being an associate. The adapter for the router came and looks like it will run much more true than my old 1/4-1/8 split reducer. I still have to get a dust collection setup on it and the hardest part- the pin holder. I want to make it out of a chunk of 1"x1" aluminum but may go MDF for the prototype. Also need to source a 1/8 drill blank (slot car axle). Getting close!

Thanks you Lowes for cutting my pieces pretty accurately!



Ok so my centerline isn't quite centered- I blame the beer

[GoMachV]

And it's working I need to improve the pin holder a bit, I broke off my tap while trying to add a hole to strengthen the grip. I have started on a new piece and allowed plenty of holes to set screw the pin firmly. Here was a practice piece, you can see the holes are slightly oblong.

[Seabass]

Your pin router is looking pretty good, nice work. Are you still getting any deflection from the pin itself? The reason I ask is the majority of the pin is unsupported. What about using a pin that is 3/8 in diameter but tapers down to an 1/8. I am not sure if you will be able to find anything like that but figured it was a thought if you are still getting some deflection.

Regardless it is a cool project that I am sure several would like to build. Thanks for the pictures.

Jake

[GoMachV]

The deflection is mostly due to the fact I only had one set screw holding the pin, and the hole is 1/8" so there is a bit of slop. I ran into this on the last version as well and fixed it with another setscrew. The block I just made (not shown) has spots for 4 set screws per pin, and will do a 1/8 and a 3/32 pin. I also lowered the block about 3/8 to hold the pin closer to the material. I am using a drill blank right now and have some slot car axles coming. The repeatability of the control arm has been awesome, no play but plenty of adjustment and it makes easy and quick work of the inside cutouts. on the old router that was the worst part.

I need to go buy a couple more taps and I should be good to try again. The other thing I may try is to cut the pin holder and make it into a clamping style setup, if the setscrews don't do the job. I also wouldn't mind finding that bigger chunk of aluminum I was purposely forcing this part into the pin more than I usually would as a worst case scenario, so I am quite happy with the results so far

[markbt73]

You know you're dealing with a serious tool when it has grease fittings on it.

I may need to talk to you about some shock towers at some point.

[fredswain]

I have the exact same router. Where did you find a 1/8" collet?

[GoMachV]

http://www.elairecorp.com/routercollets.html

Very cheap alternative to the uber expensive (but super high tolerance) collet system from precise bits

I love the router so far, it's so quiet!

[GoMachV]

Well, after tapping a bunch of holes and still seeing some flex in the pin I took Jakes advise (thx ) and added some meat. A stabilizing plate that is adjustable if I need to raise or lower it. Made another test piece and it turned out great, no flex-no odd shape corners etc. now I just need to finish the dust collector side and wire the lamp, and I'm ready to cut some stuff

Oh, and I couldn't cut the slots on the side as I don't have my 3/32 pin yet.

[marlo]

Nice work Jeff!!

[uniquenamehere]

Oh man, that is slick! Nicely done.

How do you center the pin on the cutter?

[GoMachV]

I have two ways. The coarse adjustment is at the control arm mount bolts at the rear. I can go about 1/4" around the pin to get it very close to centered. The fine adjustment is at the pin holder, loosen the nuts a tad bit and tap as necessary. I have about 1/16" of adjustment there. It's all visual, technically I am sure there is a great and precise way to align them but for the stuff I am cutting and looking at how CC did it back in the day, I think I'm pretty close

Video is coming soon

[GoMachV]

Here is the pin router in action, you can see how quick it is to replicate a part with precision. This is a upper deck for a 12e. Sorry for all the noise! Lol





[youtube]SCTSqU2XN2Y[/youtube]

[marlo]

Wow, could that be done any faster