Wasteboard question

1

I’m new, ignorant, and I’m going to get my setup tomorrow. It is a woodworker, I also upgraded to the 50", but I don’t believe I’m getting that yet.

My question is, once I get my unit, what do I need? I understand I need to create some kind of a waste board or whatever, am I buying a specific size MDF or plywood to create this? Is there anything else you’d all recommend?

2

Have you made a table yet for the 1F? Do you have a table saw or access to one? I believe that the Journeyman isn’t going to be shipped until next month so you’re most likely going to get the woodworker. So anything you do will most likely need to be changed once you get the upgrade. If you have a table saw it’ll be easier to make the changes.

What you will want is something that can be replaced easily so if it gets damaged by a bit it’s no big deal. You want something solid and flat. Plywood would work but most plywood has voids and really isn’t very flat. Most people use 3/4" MDF because it’s a very consistent product and it’s not too expensive.

But you also need a strategy on how you plan on holding down your projects. MDF doesn’t like screws. If you don’t pre drill a hole the top layer gets pulled up a little (kind of like a mini volcano). So now the surface isn’t flat for the next project. Because of this some people use T-tracks and put the spoilboard between them.

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3

Thank you, this is the type of information I need. I don’t even know where to start, of course when I get it I’m going to read the directions, I’m completely new to this but don’t mind taking my time.

I understand I need a waste board or foil board, so I guess my question is I don’t know what size I need, and want to make sure I do this correctly. I do have a table I can throw this on and clamp it to, I also got the stuff or I purchased the add-on to connect this to the wall as well.

4

There are several good thread discussions here on table and wasteboard design you might want to research. This is just one for a good place to start:

https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/cnc-table-hindsight-20-20/5965/21

5

Your waste board will likely be your either your first or second CNC operation. In my case, it was my second operation because I used the CNC to bore mounting holes for my waste board into the actual table.

I made my waste board the same size as the advertised cutting area (32.25" square for the Woodworker) because I wanted to be able to re-surface the waste board as needed. If it’s larger than that, you may not be able to surface the entire waste board. If it’s smaller than that, you’re essentially reducing the size of your cutting area.

While I like my MDF waste board, I’ll likely switch to t-tracks and replaceable MDF strips when it comes time to replace my waste board - it took a long time to machine, and even longer to install the t-nuts into the back of the waste board.

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6

I own the Woodworker and am using MDF that has been cut into 6 strips with a circular saw and cutting guide. If you have a table saw this will be a piece of cake. I have t-tracks running between each strip of MDF but find myself using these less than expected.

The outside perimeter measures 32.25"x32.25" to keep things easy for resurfacing.

The addition of dog holes has proven to be useful for easily squaring projects but there are several methods for doing this… Consider cutting a grid pattern. I have not, but see why so many do.

7

I just finished my waste board recently with threaded inserts and dog holes sized for PVC pipe.

A few tips.

  1. Buy the thickest MDF you can from your local lumber store that is not lightweight mdf. (Lightweight MDF doesn’t hold threaded inserts well.) Your lumber store will likely have thicker MDF than the Orange and Blue store but call ahead.
  2. If you get a 4x8 sheet you can cut it into three strips about 32.25 since most 4x8 mdf is 49x97. Than you can do a 32x32 for your waste board now and a 32x48 when your extension comes. You can also use that first off cut for testing.
  3. I am not sold on the screw in threaded inserts. I used the wrong size screw the the oops clamps and it essentially backed out the insert under the board and made it useless. I would probably recommend hammer in or laminate a thin sheet of plywood to the mdf.
  4. I sized my dog holes for 1/2" pvc pipe. So far pretty happy.
  5. The wasteboard is great learning opportunity.
8

Just know, MDF comes from Hell… Like literally. It’s the nastiest stuff you will ever cut - Bring a vacuum, mask and glasses just to get it done.

What your going to be cutting will dictate what you need to be using - Cutting wood and soft materials with low/normal accuracy? Tracks, clamps, brad nails and/or tape will hold your stuff well. Cutting acrylic, aluminum, steel, brass, high tolerance production pieces? Threaded inserts (Properly installed) in MDF or ply to support aluminum pallets or straight threaded aluminum table with vise mounts.

YouTube is your friend.

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9

A search for “CNC waistboard” or “OneFinity waistboard” on YouTube should give you plenty of ideas.