The concept and the test build.

This project began as an idea between a few friends.  The more to research and talked about it.  The more and more the idea became set into stone.

We started small with the idea of converting bench top mill such as a Seig X2, but we were never happy with the work area limits.  So we decided to be build a router with a stretch goal of being able to cut aluminium.

After many design iterations we can up with something the resembled the image below.  The theory behind the truss table frame was to create a fully diagonalised truss frame that would have a high stiffness the weight ratio.  This ment less steel (cheaper raw material cost), easier to move around and high rigidity.  Also I really wanted to put my TIG welding skills to the test and see how accurately I could fabricate a frame.

During our design phase I wanted to improve my TIG welding skills and test a few ideas before I fabricated the frame.  I also needed to plan ahead with this project as at the time I was renting a share house with a double garage, which I would fabricate in.  Yet the machine was to live at my parents place an hour away.

My old box trailer was rusting to bits so I decided to fabricate a new one and incorporate all my ideas I had been collecting for years.

I was pretty happy with the build in the end.  I was able to improve my welding proficiency and practice minimising heat distortion in the frame.  I also had a method for transporting the frame.