DO IT YOURSELF! SAW GUIDE: Aluminium V-SLOT frame
Once again, we are trilling to present you a project which was created entirely of OpenBuilds V-SLOT system components and V-SLOT Poland elements. Many people asked us to prepare the saw guide project that will facilitate the cutting of wood and other materials.
In this article, we will describe how a circular saw guide is built.
HOW TO BUILD A CIRCULAR SAW GUIDE?
To build saw guide, you will need few components that can be found in the V-SLOT.PL store. The complete list of components is written below. In addition to the components that you will find on the list below, you will need an Allen key and an 8 flat wrench. The making time is about an hour and even a beginner DIYer should not have problems with doing this on his own.
To complete the full set of needed components easier we have prepared a special "KIT", which includes all the necessary accessories to build this construction. The only thing that you should choose to suit your needs are aluminium profiles, which you can buy in various lengths from 15cm to 300cm!
FOR WHAT THAT CONSTRUCTION CAN BE USED FOR:
The structure is a simple system of V-SLOT profiles and accessories which together creates a stable and rigid linear guide. On the trolley that moves along the profiles, you can mount an aluminium plate to which you can attach various tools - for example, a circular saw.
However, you need to remember, when installing cutting, rotating, drilling and other devices must have been ensuring a stable mounting of the tool and have to take all precautions during work.
LIST OF COMPONENTS NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A CIRCULAR SAW GUIDE:
Below is a complete list of components that will be needed to build the guide. In addition, we prepared few sketches, graphics and comments that should make construction of this structure easier.
ELEMENTS FROM THE V-SLOT POLAND STORE:
- 1x X-PLAN BASE KIT
LINK: https://www.v-slot.pl/pl/p/X-PLAN-Zecja-czesci-do-budowy- Vilnius-/2219Description: This kit includes most of the accessories needed to build a linear guide construction. Complete description of a kit can be found after going to the product subpage by clicking on the link above.
- C-BEAM PROFILES (in length as needed)
LINK: https://www.v-slot.pl/pl/p/C-BEAM-Srebrny-Anodowany-Na-w dimension/936Description: C-BEAM profiles are stable structural profiles, working in the V-SLOT system, which enable the movement of, for example a linear trolley. The massive 40x80 profiles are also used in the construction of CNC machines, which you can also find in our store. In our store you can buy C-BEAM profiles up to 3 meters long!
- 4/5x V-SLOT 2080 ALUMINUM PROFILE (length as required and same as C-BEAM profiles)
LINK: https://www.v-slot.pl/profil-aluminiowy-konstrukcyjny-v-slot-20x80-na-wymiar
Description: The 20x80 aluminium profile is used to build the base of the saw. Twisting these profiles together allows you to create a stable base on which you can place the detail which later want to process.
In addition, the huge advantage of these profiles is a groove that allows the installation of additional accessories such as clamps.
To do that, it is enough to buy hammer inlets (LINK), place them in the profile channels and then tighten the grip to the profile surface with M5 screws. (LINK TO SCREWS)
AS AN ADDITIONAL OPTION:
- ALUMINUM PROFILE V-SLOT 2040 (length as required)
LINK: https://www.v-slot.pl/pl/p/Profil-aluminiowy-konstrukcyjny-V-Slot-2040-Na-w dim/858 - 1x Universal Gantry Plate Trolley
LINK: https://www.v-slot.pl/pl/p/Wozek-V-SLOT-Gantry-20-80-mm-Set/898
Description: This element should be treated as additional one. So not everyone will need it. Buying and installing this profile together with the Gantry Plate Universal 20-80 trolley, you can create a beam to which material will be attached and then, using a trolley moving along the edge, you will be able to choose the distance as needed, for example to cut them to the appropriate size.
ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS:
In addition to the elements listed above, you may need other, additional components. Of course, for what you will use the construction for, is an individual matter but you should analyse your needs on your own and then choose proper elements and design.
- Allen keys (for screwing the structure)
- Wrench 8 (for bolting the structure)
- Adhesive tape measure (for profile 2040)
- Clamps / handles
- Drill with drill bits (for the preparation of the trolley plate)
- Grinder (for the preparation of the trolley plate)
CONSTRUCTION OF THE GUIDE:
The construction of the guide consists of few simple but necessary steps. When you buy the X-PLAN basic set, you will receive partially assembled components which will facilitate and shorten total assembly time.
Below, we will briefly describe every stage of the assembly step by step.
STEP 1: MOUNTING THE CARTS ON THE C-BEAM PROFILES
As a first step we suggest embedding the trolleys in the channels of the C-BEAM profile. In the X-PLAN set you will find two twisted trolleys. The rollers of the trolley should enter the C-BEAM profile channel, so that they can moving along the profile. Initially, the rollers are set so that the trolley, while moving in a straight line, should be stable and move with a small resistance. If the trolley has any play, you must change the position of the eccentric nuts on the Mini V-Wheel rollers to increase the pressure.
We are doing this operation for two trolleys / two C-BEAM profiles.
STEP 2: END-PLATES AND C-BEAM PROFILES CONNECTION
C-BEAM profiles, as mentioned above, should be bought in the appropriate length so that the structure meets your individual needs.
If you buy the X-PLAN set with aluminium profiles, they will be threaded in the right places by us. However, if you purchase aluminium profiles in a different time, you will need thread the profiles yourself (M5).
We are screwing the plates together with the profiles using M5x25mm allen screws (16 pcs - included in the set) and after that, our guide is in almost 50% ready!
STEP 3: PREPARING THE TOOL BOARD
To the set of X-PLAN elements can be bought with an aluminium plate with a thickness of 6mm.
This plate has holes prepared in the corners, so that it can be screwed to the bottom of the carts part with M5 screws. That allows the movement on the C-BEAM profiles.
This plate has four holes for mounting to the trolleys and one central hole.
Since we know that there is lot of various application of this structure. And everyone is having different tools, it is difficult for us to prepare a universal plate.
For this reason, you should drill holes in the plate on your own so that you can easily mount the tool.
For example, if you want to attach a circular saw, cut the aluminium plate so that the blade could cut the detail under the saw and drill holes so that to be possible to twist the saw together with the trolley.
You can also use this structure and install the spindle so that the cutter could passes through the central hole and the spindle will be attached to the trolley.
People who decide not to buy the X-PLAN set must make the base plate on their own.
The base we are screwing with M5 x 8mm screws to the aluminium profiles using the T-NUT grooves located in the bottom channel of the 2080 profile.
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE 2040 SUPPORT PROFILES
The next step will be to install the 2040 profiles behind the side plates. These profiles will be used to attach the corners and profiles which will form the table under the guide.
For this we will need 2 pcs of 2040 profiles with a length of 400 mm, 4 M5x15 mm screws and 4 M5 hammer grooves (X-PLAN included).
The profiles are screwed to the front plates as shown in the graphic below.
STEP 5: ASSEMBLY OF TRIPLE L-TYPE CORNERS WITH 2080 PROFILES.
In the first step, screw the L corners to the 2040 profiles, which we attached to the front panels in step 4. After screwing the corners, screw the profiles 2080 and thus create a table under the trolley.
Here we will use elements from the X-PLAN set listed below:
- Triple corners
- T-NUT OpenBuilds M5 grooves (needed to screw the corner together with the 2040 profile)
- M5 hammer inlets (for screwing the 2080 profiles with the corner)
- M5 x 8mm screws
- Profiles 2080 (5pcs, not included in the X-PLAN set)
Since we said before, various accessories can be installed so the table can be with a full plate, or we can unscrew one of the 2080 profiles to give space for example for the saw blade.
STEP 6: ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES ASSEMBLY
At this stage, we have the guide ready. Now you just need to install additional accessories. Here, depending on the use of the structure and your individual needs, the accessories may be different.
In the X-PLAN set you will find a bit more M5 screws and grooves that will allow the installation of, for example, clamps.
You can also buy separately, (outside of the set) for example, a 2040 profile with a Universal Gantry Plate trolley on which can be placed a measure and, in this way, easily build an arm with which we will measure the distance (ARM KIT AVAILABLE AT THE ROPE).
SUMMARY
By following these six steps, we created a structure that allows us to build a universal linear guide which can be used in many several ways.
This design draws elements from the X-PLAN V2 WOOD PLANNER, so people who have the X-PLAN V2 planner can easily modify their construction.
People who collected elements to build this linear guide can also expand it and create a wood planner eventually!
We also know that there can be many different and individual applications, therefore we plan to have in the store more elements that will be compatible with this design.
- The table made of profiles can be replaced with MDF board and T-SLOT profiles can be placed there.
- The mobile base for embedding the structure
and more
THE MOST IMPORTANT TECHNICAL DATA:
- Maximum total length 3000mm
- External dimensions of the trolley: 300mm x 300mm
- Internal working field dimensions: approx. 240 x 290 mm
- ATTENTION! CHECK IF YOU CAN PUSH THE TOOL!
- Maximum design load: 10 kg
- ATTENTION! Depending on the tool base plate used, this value may vary
- Working area (counting for the axis of the trolley): Length - 300 mm
- For example, with construction made with C-BEAM profiles of 3000 mm, the working area for the axis of the trolley is 2700 mm
- Weight for a structure with a length of 1000 mm with a table made of profiles: approx. 20 kg
- The clearance between the bogie's plate and the base on which the structure stands: 74mm
- Clearance between the bogie plate and the 2080 profiles: 39 mm
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