My CNC's dust shoe broke several times, and now that it's more epoxy than dust shoe, I decided I'd make a new one. Because I can!
This was an interesting test of TPU for brush bristles. I ended up having to take scissors to them (they were too long), but I'm pretty happy how that turned out. Suction is decent too, which is nice.
@jaseg This one is a bit more premium, as it's an all-aluminium construction. Given that I work _primarily_ with aluminium, I can speak for that, but not plastics.
Essentially, it's ~fine~, but there are some caveats:
- Spindles are all garbage. Make sure you switch to a trim router (or a VFD if you're feeling spendy) ASAP. I haven't switched only because this design makes it needlessly hard.
- 1-flute DLC-coated carbide endmills are a critical investment.
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@jaseg - CAM will take you the longest to learn. I use FreeCAD's CAM package, but even that requires no small degree of practice and learning.
- Heck, in general, there is a truckload to learn, and it's never explained in any one place. Think FDM but _squared_.
- Don't expect to cut aluminium fast with small endmills. If you can, design parts for 6mm thicc bois, as they'll be able to chomp material _way_ quicker. That's the biggest that'll fit an ER-11, which most of these use.
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Koz Ross
jaseg