Robots complete me
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Details! Its what separates you from the rest
Oem plastic tray tabs, drawn and cut with carbide in 20 min start to finish
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Cool. Very good designing, very good execution, and attention to details. That’s the right combination. 
It’ll be interesting to see what kind of stuff you’re making in (say) 12+ months, as you get the hang of things more too. Expecting big things. 
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Thank you Justin, I definitely have some big plans for more intensive parts in the future. And that reminds me that I haven’t posted my flanges here, you’ll like those.
Even in a year I can’t see the machine as being a limitation, hopefully we’ll have a billet drop frame and er20 collet system by then.
An XL would be really nice but I want one with double length Y axis to keep in tune with stepper strength.
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Yeah. I’m intending on buying another S3 in the future at some point, but it won’t be the standard size one again either. Probably go for an XXL, though I do have plans to add a smaller 5th axis capability as well. That’ll rely on a different Z axis setup. Probably need to chat with Luke about that.
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These are intake manifold flanges designed specifically for my tapered velocity stacks. They feature a fully matched port to round transition and will be machined for O rings on the head sealing surface. These are still a little chunky but need to be thick to prevent warping during the welding process. The first one is Honda Civic Type R K20C and second is DSM 4g63 1G/2G with plans to finish the Evo 4g63 one soon. Last photo is a bolt on sealing coil adapter for Nissan SR20 for a local Drifter. These would have cost $500 from a CNC shop and my last outsourced order had a 2K minimum and stupid wait time.
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Ive personally been hesitant to step away from the normal size because I can’t lose rigidity for aluminum work…but might be working on something. Adding axis are definitely cool but GRBL cannot support it so you would need to retrofit your machine with a completely new controller.
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Not yet, but I think it’s in the works!
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Yeah, the controller part has already been investigated and solution found. 
Going with g2core (the official successor to TinyG) for software, running on an Arduino Due with a custom made stepper board. The custom made stepper board wasn’t actually all that hard, once I figured out the right approach. Doesn’t need anything super special, as it’s not a “production run”. Instead, just manually soldering the right bits onto perfboard works fine. Tested already.
Fusion 360 already generates 3 axis stuff for g2core (using the “TinyG” post), and in my initial testing to add 4th and 5th axis capability to the output, that’s been pretty easy too. The post processor parts for Fusion 360 are mostly just a bunch of toggleable options in javascript (Fusion 360 posts are javascript), so copying the right bits from Tormach/HAAS/etc posts has worked fine.
I need to circle back and get the mechanical bits sorted next, to get a full end-to-end iteration working. But, some stuff has come up so it’s been delayed. 
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Not that’s what I like to hear! I would definitely be interested in 4th…or 5th axis if it wasn’t crazy complicated. Im a Fabricator not a computer wiz lol
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You are making me jealous. I could come up with the money, but not the space, for an S3. But if I had the space, I would find a way (some way, any way) to come up with the money for at least a small tormach, if not a second hand Haas or Hurco. (yes I know they are more space, as well as more money, but I can dream…)
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Why am I making you jealous? Whatever I can do anyone can as well on an S3! The great thing is the potential the things have in such a small footprint.
The desire for something stronger is something I’m sure we all share. But personally im not at a level where I feel im even taking advantage and using it 100% yet. Being able to be afford being self taught and being a part of a great little community is also an awesome perk.
When I’m better than the machine it only means the machine needs upgrades 
P.s. when you are the underdog you gotta work harder, but you usually learn more, become better. Some of my best years being a Fabricator was when I lived in Puerto Rico building mostly Gtrs making 1-2000hp. Becoming trapped on a 35x100 mile Caribbean island forces you to become creative. Just like a machine like this forces you to be creative.
Designing tonight a couple parts to be machined out of 0.625 1018 cold rolled steel. I dont want a better machine, I want to become a better machinist.
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Following this thread for awhile and really love your work and attitude!
Also just spent an hour on your Instagram page…i will go back for notes on feeds and speeds and inspiration!
I really want to quit my job and spend all of my working hours in my garage.
Thanks,
BH
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I’m glad you enjoy the content, sometimes I think about how this is my life now and just laugh. Definitely not in a bad way.
Everyone should follow their passion but be smart about it. Make sure you have a way to pay for that garage! Lol
Then again…No risk, no reward
On a side note, new apt is going up pretty good. Its right above the cnc room in the new shop. Full shower as well hooked up to the rain water tanks.
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Carbide create VS Fusion 360, testing cam and square end finishing
I’ll start a new thread on these when steel and new carbides come in!
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The surface finish is just amazing! What is your recipe?
@minehunter A sharp cutter and lots Of rpm, haha. This is actually my cheapest cutter, single flute 0.250 hss and my machine is nowhere near perfect.
Got pretty close but need to take the z apart for that last few thousandths and dirty old wheels need replacing. This s3 will be machining the bolt on fixture plate for steel and Mitee Bites while I tram and do surface testing on the new S3 with HDZ
