Can anyone tell me the exact width dimension of the QCW track below the table. I am considering a journeyman x-50 purchase but in meantime I am designing a vacuum table below…Norm
Page 13 of the QCW manual … YouTube
When you say below, I wonder below what? Below the QCW? If yes, how will you access it?
The QCW does not slide in and out from under the machine. The CNC is mounted ON top of the QCW frame. You can’t remove the QCW without disturbing your machine alignment.
If having a QCW that can be easily removed to reveal a vacuum table is what you are considering then I think you would have to use the Woodworker size QCW or make you own custom sized QCW. I haven’t checked but the footprint of the Woodworker QCW might be small enough to fit within the Journeyman footprint. If you did that you would lose a few inches of Z space unless you compensated with some riser blocks or something similar to regain that height.
Or you have some other configuration envisioned. If so, please explain I’d like to know as maybe it’s something I would want to incorporate into my setup. I have the Journeyman and the QCW and have thought about how I might include a vacuum clamping surface. My thought there was to make a clamp board of 3/4" plywood with a grid of Micro-Jig MatchFit dovetail tracks in it. Then mount some Rockler vacuum pads (or equivalent) to it using the clamping grid to position the vacuum pads where needed. That would make it adjustable to work with odd-shaped pieces both large and small. I already have a vacuum pump, 4 of the Rockler vacuum pads, and the Micro-Jig router bit for making the dovetail clamp tracks, just need to get off my butt and put all the pieces together to see if it works. You can get just the MatchFit hardware direct from Micro-Jig and probably other sources. It is reasonably priced.
I also recently found on thingiverse a design for a wasteboard designed for the Woodworker. Most likely designed by someone on this forum (is there someone who goes by muddyfeet in our ranks?). Have a look.
I also found this low profile hold-down clamp which looks interesting.
Hello Bob….thanks for your response. Sorry, In hindsight I guess me question was a little vague. My design vision (so far) is as follows:
1, I would purchase the “mount from top” qwc for journeyman x-50
2, Each mdf spoil board dimension would remain as recommended from pdf obtained from the manual. I believe it’s 3/4” x 8-3/4” x 42-1/2” long (I’m currently not in front of my drawing at this moment)
3, The vacuum deck for each section will likely be milled from HDPE (high density polyethylene) but could be made from Baltic Burch plywood. A shoulder will be milled in the bottom edges (sides)of each vacuum deck and therefore be dropped in from above…mdf spoil board will also drop in from above, top down mounting screws will hold spoil board and vacuum decks in at same time.
4,Vacuum surface will be milled with 1/2” square array pattern. This is the top of the HDPE deck.
5, So far in my design I haven’t determined vacuum zones…but, I would likely put each of the 5 zones in front half of machine (half Y) on same manifold and half on back Y. This would effectively give me 2 vacuum zones that are 48” in X and 21” in Y
I’ll drop an image into this thread once I get back to my computer as it will make things more clear. My original question was posted before I started my design so I’m now a little further along at this point….also late seeing your response as your response was kicked to me spam folder…I have to fix that….norm
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Ok, I think I understand better what you are up to but an image would help.
Completely different than what I was thinking. Which it would have to be as what I was thinking would not make any sense.
Hello Bob
My kettle is boiling…once I get my coffee made I’ll send a PDF…in the scenario I am designing you’ll only lose 3/8” in Z….norm
Have a look at this pdf. Its not finished and I know I will be revising the vacuum zone plus adding for manifold connections etc. Now that I have thought about it I will likely do 3 zones. 1st Zone is first half in Y of panels 1, 2, and 3 (from 0,0 location). Zone 2 will be first half in Y of panels 3, and 4. 3rd zone will be back half of table (in Y) of all 5 panels. At this point I have guessed at the width of the track bottom…it could affect my vacuum pattern as I will need it to determine the shoulder cut on the vacuum deck…norm
Vacuum Deck QCW.pdf (13.7 KB)
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Did you end up getting further along with this? I’m currently using MDF, and am looking to move to HDPE or UMHW for the vacuum plenum. I’m actually wanting to to one large piece, and cover the entire qcw, and inset the t-tracks… That, of course, will be pricey, and I would avoid hitting the t-tracks and have a solid, single plenum, with at least 2, if not 3 or 4 zones. I use mostly sheet stock, but I’m planning on adding in additional clamping zones. Of course, the cut area is still 32 in the Y, so that’s the only area on the plenum to have to deal with, not the full 42.