I have been making a series of Name poles for the last month of so.
These are 4 sided carving on a 3.5 x 3.5 x 30 something inches long piece of wood.
After 8 pieces or so, I have settled on ( I think ) a set of operations that should work.
I have destroyed enough Pine victims to realize there is a limit to how thin you can go without damage from the cutting process.
I am looking for a manual 4th axis setup that will fit under 5.25 inch Z-limit of my SP5 ( I added the PWNCNC risers and hold a 3.5 inch square ( this is at each end of the piece ).
A 3.5 square cross corners is 4.97 inches. I figured the device horizontal axis would be 2.625 inches about the SP5 table. That gives 1/8" clearance top and bottom.
I would like it to be self centering, and at least 90 degree steps, but more would be better.
Why ?
I found my stock cutting to be fair to middling which effects the part height when flipping, which causes some over/under cutting.
The cuts are just under 6 hrs per side ( one per day ) and the wood ( while dry %12 of less by weight ) wanders after cutting, so referencing the sides can be an issue.
Yes, I am getting a bit picky, but why not.
Implementation concept
I am thinking that I would mount “end caps” on each end of the piece. The End caps would have a stalk to go to a bearing. I would slide the stalks into the bearing mounts which would be fastened to the SP5 tracks. Alignment would be needed to match the travel of the machine.
Self centering -
I was thinking to use @gdon_2003 Longworth chuck concept, or sliding triangles to grab the piece.
I do not have an End cap lock down concept or a overall angle lock concept.
Thoughts ? Laughs ? WTFs ?
Thanks, Jim
