Re: Wood Duck redux

Dave,

THANK YOU for the reply.

FWIW, the 1212 Wood Duck in MEDEX can MILL aluminum holes as is.
Drilling is harder, and requires more stiffness, at least for larger
holes.

Also, the "thinking" is already done; the rods are already cut to
the size required when you open the box. It takes 4 lengths to offer
9 sizes; 12"(for Z), 4-1/2" travel
20" for 12" travel--12-1/2" actually
26" for 18" travel--18-1/2" act.
32" for 24" travel--24-1/2" natch<G>
FWIW we buy TGP shafting in 20'1" lengths, bundles at a time.
(TGP is Turned, Ground, and Polished precision shafting) We don't
use drill rod.

Ballendo

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "turbulatordude"
<dave_mucha@...> wrote:

> I year ago, I would have gone for the 12 x 12 MDF but....
>
> I would have bought it with the intention of beefing it up to drill
> holes in aluminum.
>
> No matter what size you make there will be people who want

something

> different.
>
>go with the 12 x 12 and the MDF it will sell. Then once the
>feedback comes in from users who got a change to mess with it

(IIRC, I was on a alpha or beta testers list some year or so ago for
such a machine) the things your crystal ball cannot reveal will need
attention.

>
> Then increase an axis at a time.
>
>I would have to think hard about the max size I could make with a
>set of parts. if 3/4" drill rod maxed out at 18", then 18 x 18 is

the max one could make before releasing a whole new machine.

>
>if 1" VXB slides maxed out at 24" that keeps all the manufacturing

the same, just expands the range of machines one can make without
adding any new manufacturing abilities.

>
>When you have to go above some size, you need to add a whole new
>machining line.
>
> But, regardless of your first offering, it will sell and only the

time

> between you chose to offer more and you sell more sizes is up to

you.

> I don't see you losing customers because of machine sizes.
>
> Dave
>