Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Rifle stock

Ah, ok, "headstock" and "tailstock". That's the terms I needed.

But is it actually practical to build a work jig that mounts the headstock and tailstock, do 12" at a time, unclamp this whole jig and move it down 12" and do another section? Even though this is not a high precision operation, I'm having trouble figuring how I would reposition the work in 3 dimensions and keep it seamlessly matched up with the part it cut on the previous run. It seems like a helluva problem, almost suggesting I should give up on the Taig and work with new hardware that could handle the full 32" length of the stock. The cost involved in that might be excessive though.

Danny

---- Michael Fagan <woodworker88@...> wrote:

> You would use a 4th axis (vertical rotary table) and a tailstock, just as
> you would turn work on a lathe between the driven center at the headstock
> and the tailstock "dead center" which just supports the work.
>
> On Feb 2, 2008 8:04 PM, <dannym@...> wrote:
>
> > I gotta thank you guys for answering my starter questions about CNC
> > milling. You guys are the best!
> >
> > OK, next question. Say I'm building a crossbow with a rifle-type stock,
> > say 32" long, with some nice complex curves and I have a Taig. This is way
> > beyond the handling capacity of the table. In fact the whole thing sounds
> > like I would do best with a 4th axis anyways not just putting it flat on the
> > table on its side. But even still, it's far too long.
> >
> > Well first question is, I assume that even if this were something that fit
> > on the table wouldn't we have 2 holders, one the powered 4th axis the other
> > a free-rotating clamp? What is such a thing called, or do we just buy a
> > cheap rotary table and remove the gears so it turns freely?
> >
> > Actually I could see extending the table with some sort of holder to
> > attach the free-rotating clamp off to the side with like a board clamped to
> > the Taig's table. I later realized the rotary 4th axis clamp need not be
> > directly clamped to the table either. Even still, this would require 3,
> > maybe 4 runs due to the Taig's limits on X-distance.
> >
> > Any comments? Is the idea sane at all, or should I limit myself to doing
> > 3-axis milling with the work on its side? I suppose for the most part that
> > would work. The trigger cavity and the track couldn't be carved in the same
> > steps and there are limits to the features which could be carved into the
> > edges, but then you don't always get what you want.
> >
> > How much of a pain-in-the-ass is it to work with 6 different runs (3 per
> > side) with the stock removed and re-clamped, re-aligned, but offset 12" each
> > time to expose another area for milling? Would say BobCAD work with this
> > plan or make it really really hard?
> >
> > Danny
> >
> >
>
>
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>