Buying Tips Other purchases for your RatRig Stronghold
Stuff that you cannot order from RatRig itself, but you will need during your build or on your machine.
I didn't include tools here; that's enough for a separate list
Price indication:
Spoilboard: 22mm MDF
Your spoilboard is not included and you will have to arrange it yourself.
MDF is not the nicest stuff to work with, but it is good and cheap as a spoilboard and available at every hardware store. Take the 22MM variant for this. When you use 22mm MDF strips, these are 5mm higher than the C profiles mentioned elsewhere and you therefore have a lot of space to 'level' your plate, or to mill in your spoilboard before you touch the aluminum profiles. And are you done with it? Then you simply put in a new strip.
When leveling your spoilboard, make sure you have good dust extraction (preferably a dust boot) and good ventilation!!
ps; if you want to make your spoilboard easily replaceable, make sure you make both the holes in the table and the holes in your spoilboard with the cnc itself, so you can easily reproduce it. Do you need help with this? Please contact me.
DIN 7984 M8 x 25mm Low cylinder head screw 50 pieces
These low cylinder head screws have a slightly shorter head (5mm), which means they stick out less. This makes them more suitable for screwing your spoilboard.
A handy tip when building the Stronghold One or Pro CNC is to not use the crossbar and to fix both the machine and the spoilboard to the table. You can then alternate the spoilboard in strips with the C profiles. To fix these strips to the table, these screw-in sleeves are handy. Drill an M10 hole, chamfer it slightly so that the sleeves can countersink and then screw these sleeves in. Then you put M8 bolts through the spoilboard into the table.
For 18mm table top take M8x15mm, If you have a thicker table top you can take a longer size
C Profiles are well suited to place between your spoilboard as a grip for M8 bolts with which you can clamp your workpiece. (Note; the bolt is placed upwards)
The price of this C Profile is in my opinion on the high side (also pay attention to the shipping costs!), so if you can find it cheaper elsewhere, do so.
If that's the cast, note the following dimensions: 17 x 11 mm, Groove dimensions: 13 x 7 mm, suitable for M8 bolt/screw, with pre-drilled holes.
M8 Bolts for the C profiles, to be secured with the Grip Nuts.
DIN933 fits exactly in these profiles in reverse.
Size-wise, you want to have some different lengths so they don't stick out too high above your workpiece. I use 50mm and 70mm the most.
They can be found in every hardware store, Amazon and RVSpaleis.
When you have built the CNC machine and placed it on a table in the corner, you don't really want to move it. But unfortunately, sometimes you have to. These retractable wheels ensure that it normally stands firmly, but can move away on wheels if necessary.
The great thing about these retractable wheels is that you only need the two middle holes when you have the RatRig Workbench (more grip in aluminum than in wood) and you can easily secure them in the slot with M6 bolts and Tnut nuts (or stretch the holes to M8).
Literally the ones I have are no longer for sale, but there are plenty of similar variants.
Excellent quality and, thanks to the enclosed copper wire, both strong and antistatic (provided that this continues to your device).
There are more suppliers available, but pay particular attention to the diameter and length.
In this case it is 5 meters, which is more than enough for me.
This pressure relief valve protects your keg from too low a pressure. This can occur if the suction nozzle is blocked or too narrow. No idea why it is called a pressure relief valve, because it actually allows air to flow in when the pressure in the keg is too low so that it does not implode.
Tip; I need 2 of these for the barrel I use in combination with my Camvac dust extractor. And that is already for the Single motor version.
A CNC machine makes a lot of chips and/or dust. To make your vacuum cleaner and filter last longer, you would do well to put a cyclone filter and a barrel in between. This is also handy for every wood extraction. This size uses 50mm inlets, so with the standard PVC bends from the hardware store you can easily connect everything. They also have adapters to a number of vacuum cleaners. Do you not have the right size adapter? Then please contact me, I can print it for you.
ps. Don't forget the pressure relief valve so that the barrel doesn't implode if there is too much negative pressure
Backlash is the play that is present when the leadscrew that moves your axes reverses its direction of rotation. An Anti-Backlash block ensures that this play is minimal. (Some play is always necessary, otherwise parts cannot move)
The solution that RatRig has as standard in the machines is with 2 separate blocks that you have to tension and then screw together. This is AND difficult AND difficult to reach after installation. This Anti-Backlash block consists of 1 piece and is therefore a lot easier to tension and keep. For extra security, you only replace 1 of the original blocks per plate instead of both.
The version you need is Anti Nut CNC, Pitch 2mm Lead 8mm. (4 pieces)
The Stronghold comes standard with ball bearings for transfering the Axial load the leadscrews make have on the structural plates.
These are quite sensitive to wear and tear and don't really seem to be made for this.
I replaced them with these AXK0819 needle bearings, which seem to run a lot smoother. The grease also stays in better.
(Note; the bearings you need for the radial load remain unchanged)
All references are written on my own initiative and are my own opinion.
As always, your own common sense applies when purchasing referenced items and my opinion just one of many opinions.
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