jeffsmith
01-26-2010, 05:25 PM
Hello - I just purchased a used Buddy that is about 2-3 years old. I had been reading about ShopBots for quite a while learning all I could and then an opportunity to buy one used came up and I jumped on it. I've only had it a few days but did get it all hooked up and working.
I was just beginning to work on vacuum table approaches (and actually ordered a Fein Turbo III) because I knew I wanted to use it - but then I came to the realization that the buddy has a big ol aluminum table sitting there.
I've been trying to search for anybody doing vacuum with a buddy and am not having much luck.
Are any of you other buddy owners doing vacuum hold down? If so, how?
Are there any other aluminum table options?
One idea we came up with was extending the table out past the usual y axis length and then using a plenum bleeder board on top of a sealed MDF base. Cut a hole in TOP of the bleeder and instead of pulling the vacuum from the bottom, pull it from the top and off to the side out of the way of the router (if that makes any sense).
I have no idea if that technique will work or not but right now, this looks like the most possible option I am going to try. A vacuum shouldn't care if it comes from the top or bottom. I just have to make sure everything is sealed up right.
If this works out, I'll take pictures and document it for future use.
I also just found the one and only Trupan supplier in my city so I will post that over in the other forum.
Thanks,
Jeff
I was just beginning to work on vacuum table approaches (and actually ordered a Fein Turbo III) because I knew I wanted to use it - but then I came to the realization that the buddy has a big ol aluminum table sitting there.
I've been trying to search for anybody doing vacuum with a buddy and am not having much luck.
Are any of you other buddy owners doing vacuum hold down? If so, how?
Are there any other aluminum table options?
One idea we came up with was extending the table out past the usual y axis length and then using a plenum bleeder board on top of a sealed MDF base. Cut a hole in TOP of the bleeder and instead of pulling the vacuum from the bottom, pull it from the top and off to the side out of the way of the router (if that makes any sense).
I have no idea if that technique will work or not but right now, this looks like the most possible option I am going to try. A vacuum shouldn't care if it comes from the top or bottom. I just have to make sure everything is sealed up right.
If this works out, I'll take pictures and document it for future use.
I also just found the one and only Trupan supplier in my city so I will post that over in the other forum.
Thanks,
Jeff