Hey CNC woodworkers! This is part 2 of my Avid CNC Build series. In the previous episode I talked about why I bought an Avid CNC. In this video I will discuss how I made my own steel base table to get a more stable machine. I walk through the decisions I made, how I designed the table, how I welded the table together, and how the machine attaches to the table. Welding my own table took a lot of time and effort. I'm not a fast or proficient TIG welder, so it probably took me a lot longer than it would someone else. It took me a week to get it all done...but I worked on it off and on, and was a bit sick at the time. If I were to do it again, I would probably just MIG welded it all together, as that would have saved me a lot of time. I encourage you to copy my design, or use it as a base for making something better! Download the model in Fusion 360 using the link below. My table is for a 4'x8' Avid Pro CNC, but the materials listed below would provide enough for a 4'x10' machine (maybe a 5' machine...but I'm not sure).

CNC Build Playlist:    • Avid CNC Build  

Ep 1: What CNC To Buy -    • CNC Build Ep 1: What is the Best CNC ...  
Ep 2: Welded CNC Table -    • CNC Build Ep 2: How to Weld a CNC Bas...  
Ep 3: Making an Avid CNC Precise:    • CNC Build Ep 3: How to Make an Avid C...  
Ep 4: How to Tram a CNC:    • CNC Build Ep 4: How to Tram a CNC - C...  
Ep 5: Automatic Tool Changer:    • CNC Build Ep 5: How to Setup an Autom...  
Ep 6: ATC Tool Rack Build -    • CNC Build Ep 6: Automatic Tool Change...  
Ep 7: ATC Setup in Mach 4 -    • CNC Build Ep 7: Custom Mach 4 ATC Too...  
Ep 8: ATC Tool Heights -    • CNC Build Ep 8: How to Set Tool Heigh...  
Ep 9: ATC Post Processor Setup -    • CNC Build Ep 9: ATC Post Processor Mo...  
Ep 10: 3D Printed Dust Boot -    • CNC Build Ep 10: Print Your Own CNC D...  
Ep 11: Improving the Avid CNC Table -    • CNC Build Ep 11: Improving the Welded...  
Ep 12: CNC Spoilboard -    • CNC Build Ep 12: Make the ULTIMATE CN...  

Fusion 360 table model: https://a360.co/3mDhE0M (free download)

Materials:
M8 roll in T-nuts: https://amzn.to/3KZmgaW
M8 bolt set: https://amzn.to/3L1BxrN
6 - Corner Brackets: https://amzn.to/3KyvF82
6 - feet: https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/129/...
1 - 20’ 4x4x1/4 steel tubing
2 - 20’ 4x2x1/4 steel tubing (or use 4x4)

Tools:
Machinist level: https://amzn.to/3GMLE1b (~$130)

Note on the feet: I said 3/8-16 threaded feet in the video, but I really used these 1/2"-13 threaded feet. Each foot can support 5,000 pounds and only costs $9.07. There are a lot of other options out there, but these had a really heigh strength to cost ratio (cheap for the strength). The swivel is nice for non-level floors. I did find some cheaper ones for around $5 that supported 500 pounds per foot; they probably would have been fine, but I just wasn't sure, so I opted for the $9 ones.

I wish I would have known about the corner brackets before I did my design. I bolted into the bottom of the extrusions, which was difficult. The 4" width steel tubing would have more than enough room to use the corner brackets for attaching the table to the lengthwise members on the top.

The machinist level is accurate to .0002" per 10" of length. So, if I did it right, my entire table should be within .002" of level over the entire 10' length.

Note that the width of the welded table needs to be a tad thinner than the aluminum table so the gears don't hit anything.

Thanks Everyone!
Corbin Dunn
https://www.corbinsworkshop.com // CNC Files and Stuff I Make For Sale
https://www.corbinstreehouse.com // Blog

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:29 Costs
3:15 Welding
6:53 Feet Installation
7:10 Attaching the Top
8:16 Attaching Accessories
9:05 Ending

Some links are Amazon affiliate links....only because I bought these and use them, and they seem to work great for me.

#cncwoodworking #cnc #avidcnc