Buddy x y orientation

[dave_k]

Hello all, first post, simple question needs clearing up. Got a BT32 coming shortly. In an email from SB I was told that the footprint of my BT32 was 38 x 56 and that the longer 56 inches was the X axis. However, just looking at pictures of the buddy, assuming the X axis is the moving table, seems like that information is wrong. Seems as though the Y axis orientation is the longer 56 inch part of the footprint, and the X axis is the 38 inch part of the footprint. Can somebody clear this up for me?

[bob_dodd]

Hello; The BT32 the 38" footprint is the X axis & the 56" is the Y axis. I've had mine about 3 weeks now & very happy with it Bob
8418

[dave_k]

Thanks for confirming that Bob. Although I could have fit the bot either way, it will be easier to work with if the Y is the longer (wider) part of the footprint as I suspected. Your shop looks about as crowded as mine will be when I finally get to shoehorn my bot in place.

[sawdust535]

David, I also just got my BT32 about the same time as Bob's. As you look at the photo Bob posted, the 0,0 coordinates are at the right/front of the table. Make sure you leave enough space in the rear to access the thumb screw to adjust the height of the dust boot. If you got a spindle like I did, don't mount it on the control box as is shown in some of the SB photos. You will be bending over all day to adjust the rpm's on the panel. Mount it somewhere near your work station within easy reach.

[dave_k]

George, I got the alpha, but could not afford nor justify both the extra alpha cost AND extra spindle cost until I go full time. I plan to upgrade to spindle in a few years as my woodshop business continues to ramp up to when I retire and can do it full time. Thanks for the tips... from what I am gleaning and reading on the SB site, none of this is rocket science, but there does seem to be a lot of little things that can temporarily trip you up. One of the reasons I went with SB is this forum as well as their after sale support.

[bill.young]

Hey guys,

This might help get you oriented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCG9GOJWT2I

Bill

[rhfurniture]

I am a prt benchtop owner and there seems to be something astray here. In the direction that the worktable moves (on mine that is Y) the minimum footprint has to be (for a 32 x 24 work area) 24 x 2 = 48 inch. For movement along the gantry (on mine that is X) the minimum footprint has to be 32 + length of carriage (looks like 12 - 15) + end constructions (must be 4+) = 48+ inches. Are you sure it is not 48 x 56?
If I am wrong let me know NOW and I will get one, as shopbot appear to have worked miricoli.

R.

PS: I have my axes in this direction because it matches the axes on my computer screen in cad and cam when I look at my machine.

[bill.young]

Hey Ralph,

I believe they're referring to the storage footprint and not the working area that covers the full movement of the table.

Bill

[rhfurniture]

Ok Bill.
Does anyone know of a PRS in UK? (Now or shortly). I would love to see one, especially a benchtop.

R.

[dave_k]

Thanks Bill, that video is actually what prompted me to start this post and ask. When I originally contacted SB to see if a BT32 would even fit in my shop, Dianne (sales?) in an email to me had written this:

"Actually the X is the 56" inches and this is the full table movement, front to back."

I planned my shop layout accordingly until I saw that video you just posted which contradicted her email. Minor mistake on her part but it had major ramifications when it came to planning how it would fit in my shop. Thus my query. Thanks for making it clear.

[dana_swift]

I have been using a BT32 for about 5 months now and the table axis motion is 48" MINIMUM as stated above, however the table moves BEYOND that dimension when doing the XY zero routine. Also anytime you override the limit switch you can run the table off the track in either direction. So allow at least 52 inches of clear space for table motion. Otherwise you can count on hitting things.

On my installation I switched the axis definitions such that the table motion is Y axis, and the gantry is the X axis. Either system works, but if you use the original definition the XY zero point is the furthest away from you when you are facing the router. That makes mounting your work on the table more annoying, so thats why I changed it.

I like to use the machine facing the router, so the mounting my work on the table is most logical with the X and Y switched. FYI you will need to change the XY zero routine to do this as the limit switches are wired for the original axis definitions. (If anybody would like a copy of my XY zero routine for the new axis definitions I would be happy to share. I did not change the wiring, just the software.)

As to fitting my space, I put the thing on wheels so I can move it around, which is very handy for cleaning out debris from underneath it. Then I can move out into "open space" if I am cutting a part that sticks out past the edges of the table. I highly recommend that. My wheels are driven by a 1 ton car jack, so it sits firmly on the floor when in use. It is only on the wheels when I am moving it around.

Hope that helps-

Dana

[oscarg1971]

Don't forget you can order casters when you order your buddy. It is the best thing especially if you plan on getting a PowerStick in the future. -oscar

[Brady Watson]

The casters are a must! Especially if you plan on picking the tool up yourself @ SBHQ. A BT48 weighs about 800#...and you'll need some beefy ramps to roll it off your truck. I used 2 pcs of 6" C-channel I had in the shop.

-B

[dave_k]

Dana thanks for the "real world" numbers. I would like to take you up on that offer of your XY zero routine to swap coordinates for when my BT32 arrives. I was under the interpretation after seeing that video that the default xy 0,0 was (facing router) in the front right hand corner of the table, not the farthest corner as you state.

[dana_swift]

If you use the "front right" corner as XY zero, then all will work as you would expect. The screen on my computer is wider in X than it is in Y and that is another reason I wanted the X axis of the bot to be the longer axis, then drawings are roughly the same aspect ratio as the cutting table.

The default is easy to start with, because in the beginning there are so many things to deal with it can be overwhelming for a little while. Clarity comes quickly with a little experience, then set it however you want.

Another thing to note is the rack gear on the table sticks out about 0.9 inches on either side of the table. So add 2 inches for clearance requirements of the gear!

Absolutely one of the finest things about shopbots is the ease with which you can have it any way you need for your application.


D

[oscarg1971]

The reason the "XYZero" is in the lower right hand corner is in anticipation of the PowerStick for those who are planning on getting one...-Oscar

[dana_swift]

David- did you get my email?

Dana

[dave_k]

Dana... no email from you... did you email tswoodshop@aol.com (mailto:tswoodshop@aol.com)?

Pam from SB just called few minutes ago with my Roadway tracking number, so my bot is on it's way. My wife saw the ID on the phone and first words out of her mouth were "oh no!!" because she knows she will be without a husband for a while when it arrives in a few days <big smile>

[dana_swift]

check your spam folder, i havent gotten any bounce notices. Since I had an attached zip file, it could have been quarantined. If you cant find it anywhere I will send it another way.

D