Hello, All! Question about flattening strategies given the QCW MDF edges are outside the reach of the machine.
BACKGROUND:
I’m new to CNC’s and have just assembled my woodworker with the makita router onto the QCW secure-from-below frame with 3/4” MDF…securely mounted-from-below.
I have installed the Amana tool RC-2265 1.5” diameter surfacing bit that I had intended to use to flatten the QCW MDF but I’m not sure what my next step should be because the QCW MDF strips are outside the reach of the bit.
QUESTION:
Do I simply flatten the area that can be reached and leave a lip/step on the edge of the QCW MDF strips?
Should I always plan on putting another sacrificial wasteboard on top of the QCW wasteboard that matches the reachable dimensions of the machine and just flatten that one?
I suppose another option would be to adjust the recommended QCW MDF strip width/lengths to be within the available cutting reach of my fly cutter.
OUTRO:
In typing this question it seems like “it depends” is the likely answer. Haha.
My QCW Frame is about to arrive. I’m planning add a waste board on top of the Qcw wasteboard.
I’m going to do this because I do a lot of 2 sided work and use dowel pins to register the top/bottom locations. I also use 2 sided tape for the hold down.
I don’t want dowel pins accidentally drilled in the frame t-channel, I don’t use t-channel hold downs and I want a continuous surface for the hold down tape.
In the end, I think it is personal preference and work style.
Thanks for the insight, Daryl! Being so new to this world I haven’t any preferences on t-tracks or not for work holding, yet.
I’m leaning heavily toward your approach, as well. That is, using the other half the 4x8 MDF sheet that was used for the QCW strips to cut a 32”x32” wasteboard and using the QCW t-tracks to bolt it down…
I also have a mounted-from-below QCW. I was thinking of two types of boards to put on top. One small that can be clamped into place. Then a larger one still thinking how big, held down may with bolts into the t-tracks.
So I just got my entire machine and QCW frame setup. I am really stumped that the wasteboard instructions have you cutting boards that are 42" long for the Y axis. Seems quite wasteful - you cant surface 10" on the back. I do like the front lip for alignment of square.
@Hermsen.BJ You have your MDF just hanging out over the front? Any problems with stability? And I would think that letting your MDF go all the to the back (even if it’s not usable) would allow you to use the rear rail of the QCW for stability.
Also, putting an extra MDF on top will cost you 3/4" of Z travel, would it not? Maybe not important to some but it is to me. The QCW has some nice advantages but the ‘secure from below’ isn’t exactly easy to change out; especially if you use an enclosure for dust/noise.
@Hermsen.BJ Do you have the standard (Z-16 Z slider) and not the Z-20? The beefier Z moves it forward a little more than 3/4". Not the end of the world to lose less than an inch of Y, I guess.
I installed the MDF and used a dial indicator hooked onto the Z Axis and rand it across and it was within a few thousands of an inch (3-4) in X and Y, so i didn’t see a need to flatten it.