GVardaman wrote:Cool, thanks. I went to support the Building Blocks, but the picture of the two z axes side-by-side stopped me. The image makes it look like the holes are closer together on the new part's face - will my router mount still fit?
They are in fact a little bit different.
Current mounting holes are 1-1/2" x 2".
Future mounting holes are 1" x 2".
This was unfortunately neccessary as the new z-axis is something like 1.5" narrower. (Meaning you will be gaining travel in the side to side directions!)
GVardaman wrote:This is a part that some have broken from tightening too hard around the router and so a prime candidate for upgrading as well, but I was hoping I could swap parts out and get to it.
Yeah. A few people have required replacement router mounts on the original design. We'll be improving our mounts on the new CNC Building Blocks bolt pattern. Instead of cast plastic, we'll probably mill the plastic out of large sheets. Or in the very least use a more flexible cast plastic.
GVardaman wrote:I was also curious about shipping for the parts (seems like you already have a nice start on them, so perhaps the delay from funding to shipping will not be long?)
We only have 3 Z-axis' in our possession right now. But more Z-axis and the rest of the parts should be on the way from our manufacturer this weekend. That being said. Turn around time will be much quicker. Each machine from the original run took weeks of work for each one. Future machines will only require hours of work each.
GVardaman wrote:Do you have a its of which specific parts would be left out for the prior backers, coming in at the $150 or higher levels (who opt for the refund/rebate)?
You will reuse your x-axis nut, z-axis motor coupler, acme nuts, acme leadscrews, and motor mounts. You'll get the new z-axis with shafts and bolts, and the new x-axis sliders.
GVardaman wrote:Any videos or pics showing the new parts retrofitted on the existing a chines? I would love to see the differences this will make in the speed and overall performance (with that huge weight loss at the z carrier, I'm sure it will be much easier on the motors.)
As soon as we get all the prototype parts in.. we'll build a new machine. The design has changed a little bit as well.