xsk8er9000

Nateman, first things first.  Your blocks look amazing, as does your new mill.  

I have always had a big interest in milling. Your work has somewhat inspired me to try my hand in it. Any suggestions for a noob on where to start? 

 
Thanks!!  Considering I am still new to this, ask yourself the following questions:
 
1. What do you want to mill (as in how large of parts)?
2. How much money are you willing to spend (or do u have)?
3. How much time are you willing to put forth to the effort?
4. Are you a perfectionist?
5. How handy are you?
 
If you can truthfully answer those questions I can steer you in the right direction.

1 will answer what size machine you need to get. 
2 will determine manual/CNC and also help with 1.  Also tools are VERY expensive. 
3 this is not something that can be done in a day, month, or even a few.  This is a profession that people learn in school
4 if your a perfectionist, it may benefit you most to purchase a better quality machine (not chinese made)
5 If you want to make your own machine, you will learn SOOO much more then just buying one.  Plus the pride in your work, but if you buy one you will be ready to go once you purchase it. 
 
For example, the large machine I am making has a work envelope of 18 x 18 (not the one I have been showing in this thread) which is 324 square inches.
 
This machine has a slightly larger work envelope of 378 (9x42) square inches:

http://www.grizzly.com/pr...-x-42-with-DRO/SB1024F
 
...and that machine isn't even CNC.  I would be THOUSANDS more if it was.  Perhaps another question to ask yourself, do you have a dedicated area in your basement for it? 
 
 
Back to question 4.  I spend DAYS tramming my machine.  I will post pics in the morning of the process, but all its doing is making sure the machine is square in every direction of travel. 
 

Now don't go scaring everyone off with the 50K in software, I haven't spent a dime (yet).  Remember you run a business, you get a return on investment.  My ROI is much less...
 
You can get a CNC controller software for free, but its limited to 500 lines of code.  I have to keep all my block codes under 500 lines (so far only the P67 block has gone over that), but even the software itself is 300.  Knowing how to use it though, thats a different story.  It was easier for me to build the machine, then to learn how to use it. 
 
On a lighter note, I am 0.001" (along the Y axis) away from trying the machine out.

hopefully fixing one doesn't mess up the other lol

Fine blame me if it does >.<

Yeeeeaaaa!! I'm off the hook! erm umm that sucks...

The nice thing is that the machine is very sturdy, and when it would normally crash, only the bits break and the machine maintains its accuracy. 
 
That bracing I did at the top of the column to the walls of the house, and the aluminum bracing made that column so much more rigid then before.  I can't wait to try the machine out.

Ehh, that depends on what anyone wants to do. Just the tools to measure your machine like dial indicators can cost hundreds, or u can buy the chinese stuff like I do, because the tolerances for waterblocks are not as high as what other things may be.

nateman_doo



SUCCESS! 
Liquid flows, spindle turns, all axis move & chips fly!  All the fluid goes into my recirculating system which is filtered by... an Applebea's take out container.  WIN.  The first cut seen is just a basic outline of my work envelope which is around 11.7" x 7.8".  This will help putting any raw material down on the plate and see where the bits will cut.

I think I am going to make a dedicated post for this machine build to have all the pictures in one place.  Most likely in the General Discussion section.

Congrats on the success of the new machine. Looks great. Can't wait to see some new blocks from this thing.

I finally moved all the Machine related stuff to its own thread:
http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=1388758

It really was quite the learning curve. 
 
I will be making everything on this machine until I finish the other machine.

I made replacement tops for Danger Den 1366 CPU blocks. 
http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=1105103

Great job!  Can you send me a PM with a combo price.  2 tops and the board block.

Thanks brother.  Go ahead and let's do it, just sent you my paypal!  I can't wait to get them, well... actually I can so don't rush by any means.  I still have to get the radiator, pump, and everything else....
 
Any suggestions on what would pair up nice with this?  I can fit a massive 420 radiator in my Ellysium case and I have room for another 360 in the bottom.  Just one should be enough though I think :).  I'm new to WC so any suggestions would be much appreciated!
 
Pump (enough for the cpus, mobo, 2 video cards)?
Reservoir?
Rads?
Connectors (by the way, what size are you milling the holes G1/4?)?  I think someone said that black ones match up nicely.
 
 

Those are nice but I'm kind of married to mine already and I don't believe in divorce (my wife is reading over my shoulder). 
 
Besides the case, any ideas on what matches well with this block and the CPU blocks so that I get decent flow rates?