Hi all,
About Dec of 09 I bought a Hypertherm Powermax 45 (I love it). Being a gearhead and a machinist with both a VMC and Turning center, I immediately decided I had to build a CNC table. I've been designing and pontificating for the better part of the last 6 months and 2 weeks ago I finally ran out of excuses and got enough time to start building the frame and water pan. One of my criteria was that I was able to move the table easily as the lease I have on my shop space may not last too much longer. I also liked the idea of a bolt together frame to eliminate the distortion problems caused by the heat of welding. I'm probably over way over thinking things, but I'm used to thinking in .001" and wanted to be as precise as possible. So of course this means that I spent more time and probably more money than was necessary building the frame. All the brackets were milled and all the holes were drilled and reamed for .5"x 2.25" ground shoulder bolts. Here are some pictures of the milling of the brackets (apologies if I got a little arty on one or two of them). The last few are of assembly of the frame, welding of the water pan and finally the frame pan assembly as it sits today. I think the next step is to cut and drill the main lengths that will hold the rails for the gantry. I think it has kind of a 1920's Railway truss/ Penn Station look to it.
More when I can.
PS. Thanks to everyone here who have posted their build thread and photos. They have all been a big inspiration.