The basic mechanical frame for NIM has 26 3d printed parts, 8 bits of aluminum tubing 4 off-the-shelf complex fasteners (ball joints and turnbuckles) and probably a couple dozen ordinary fasteners. It’s about 10x more complex than anything I designed or built in mechE school
Conversation
This is going to be a bitch to put together. But milestone coming up… metal-work. Need to cut that aluminum tubing into pieces with either a hacksaw or a dremel.
2
3
Soft test assembly of the draft build. With construction paper tubes where the aluminum will go. Don’t want to cut metal and then discover a major error. This looks ok I think.
1
2
First metal… cut 100mm strut.is there any use for aluminum filings? Saving it anyway. 9 more to go. Aluminum is much softer than mild steel, but hacksawing it is still a bit of a workout. Needs some filing
3
2
Gonna try the dremel for the rest. There is a cutting disc that can supposedly handle aluminum.
2
2
Ok that was really quick. 5 minutes for 3 cuts. Takes some control though. The cutting disc wanders easily. And aluminum stock does get hot.
3
2
25,000 rpm, strobing with whatever fps iPhone is at. Bad idea to try take a video of dremel cutting. Probably dangerous too, though I had eye protection and mask and it was on balcony. One hand not steady enough to guide. Will need assistant or phone holder to document metalwork.
3
1
Really need a cutting guide
3
2
Wow this cutting wheel really got ground down after just 3 cuts in 1/2” hollow square section tubes, 1/8” wall. Am I doing something wrong? I thought I was using pretty light pressure. It’s lost like 4mm off the radius. Or is this just quickly consumed?
6
4
Replying to
Always use a heavier cutoff wheel than you need. I'd recommend putting a thin CO wheel on an el cheapo Harborfreight grinder. I use Klingspor CW00240. they cut steel like butter
1
1
Show replies

