I have to reiterate ARMADA's question...how DOES the cnc router cut through the material w/o damaging the table? I have been considering building my own router table for a while now (not a bad project if you have access to a milling machine), but i am not sure about the table. do you use a vac clamp...

that makes sense...i might even have one of those stashed away somewhere. Now wont the VDS strip go between the step and the edge? Does the core still fit nicely over the edge despite the inserted VDS?

I have seen that quite a few people router a step into the bottom side of your core to fit nicely with the edge. I like the idea of this ensuring alignment during press. What do you use for a bit to do this? this must have a guide bearing to keep the step's width consistent?

my instructions are all german (damn ebay) so it sounds like the programming will be another feat. i imagine that having only one output type will help though. any pointers on programming it? i am not even sure what i need to tell it to do...i figured you just plug in the themocouple, tell it what t...

hey, i just did a college lab on rms values! anyway, i called the manufacturer of the controller (omron) and they said that dc current would work fine with the internal relay. I also called the ssr manufacturer and they said ac current would cause major problems on the control side. So it looks like...

i like the transformer idea since that would allow me to plug the 120V line into a household timer in the future (set it for 2 hours and it will turn off the blanket on its own). my only concern is that since the external relay is 3-32DC, will the ac voltage be a problem? also, in using a transforme...

kelvin, great idea for a circuit. i also thought of just wiring a 9V battery in series with the controller and my ssr. this should provide an ample signal to the ssr and be able to be switched by the controller. my only concern is the short life of a battery (it would be unfortunate if it died mid-p...

Titebond 3 is a killer woodglue that i have had great luck with in cores. As far as rivets go, I really dont think it will help prevent delamination. K2 loves them because they look badass, they dont help anything structural (if anything decrease). think about it: Seth Morrison...badass...piercings....

after extensive research i think i have it figured out. these controllers come with one of three output types (some come with multiple types). these are relay output, voltage output, and current output. despite what might sound right, for ssr's we want voltage output (12 VDC, 20mA). relay output is ...

my controller is the omron e5cj-R2-F it was my understanding that the conroller outputs sent out a signal that was recieved by the ssr. when this signal was sent through one side of the relay, the other side of the relay closed the heat blanket circuit. i know that the "R2" part of the nam...

thats true as long as the cnc table has z-travel (if he is to stick with cncing). it may not be as simple as the profile jig method, but it sounds like it could simplify the planer method. i have never had much luck with the profile jig method, i can never get the two rails to be identicle enough. a...

the insert method sounds more promising (vacuums can be very tricky...i have gone through MANY methods trying to vacuum-thermoform topsheets). so the inserts will be installed temporarily upsidedown, then bolted into from the table? how do you think the final shape will be? if it bows mostly at the ...

wouldnt the flat pass be the top of the ski (once the vacuum is released and the core rebounds)? also, without sealing the gap between the end risers and the middle of the core (where it actually touches the table) how will the downdraft actually hold a vacuum? Maybe a concave mold with vertical air...

do you use the same two connections on the back of your controller as you would for any other output? (9 and 10 on mine). I think i am going to take your advice and wait to see if the setup works...worst case scenerio i kill an SSR that i would have to replace anyway! it is reassuring to hear that y...

i have a vacuum generator that i tried to use once, but my compressor isnt strong enough. if you want a deal i would be willing to sell. its brand new.