I am a mechanical engineer by education, an electronics manufacturing engineer by profession, and a woodworker by weekend. I'm actively positing on Instagram (@Firthfabrications) and also frequent Reddit!
It’s honestly not the most accurate but I knew that going in and it’s good enough for what I need it for. I just wanted something that could cut 4x8ft sheets of plywood to about 5mm accuracy, that wouldn’t cost a fortune, and didn’t take up a ton of space. It does all that. However, if you watch my most recent video, I do have some major accuracy issues due to my frame getting out of square.
Any parts list, code and whatnot to reproduce this? I have a VERY sturdy workbench I would like to modify the top to adapt to this (it can go on gravel and grass, because it has very big wheels, and I use it to cut wood regularly, I don't have an extractor/air cleaner/shop vac setup, andI feel like this would be ideal as I have access to some actuators.)
That would be helpful, huh? I might publish some more info on GitHub in the future if there is a strong demand for it, but right now I’m more focused on the next project rather than cleaning up the documentation for this one… sorry.
@@FirthFabrications Totally understandable! I was able to find the information for the actuators based on a screenshot I took of your video but its not really helpful without the code and PCB :(
Thanks for reaching out, Michael. I don't think I'm in a position to be outsourcing my editing at the moment, but i'll keep you in mind if that day ever comes.
@@FirthFabrications yeah that’s the never ending struggle with kids but the silver lining is he will have something to look back on in the future, best I got from my dad was a box to play with🤣
Great video! I really enjoyed your innovative approach to creating a self-leveling, height-adjustable workbench. As a fellow woodworker and content creator, I'm working on a similar project using linear actuators and your use of an Arduino for self-leveling has inspired me to explore incorporating that into my design as well. Keep up the excellent work!
Man you deserve way more subscribers than you currently have. Absolutely wonderful video as long as you put out videos of similar quality and not even necessarily scale Im sure you will definitely gain a fanbase on the engineering side of RU-vid. Keep up the great work man.
The bench stays level no matter how you rotate it. This was just an exaggerated example using a car jack. The base and top are attached via ball and socket joints so its movement is not restricted. Generally, the best way to build something level, is to start with a level surface. You can’t see it in this video, but my garage floor is pretty crack, uneven, and slanted so this bench makes sure everything stays level no matter where I push it around.
I love this. Seeing someone who is obviously very talented sharing a complicated project in such a way anyone can understand. Theres so much going on here between the woodwork, the electronics and the software plus the challenges requiring lots of critical thinking to get each component to work together and be functional. Nice work!
This looks awesome, excited to see the full build video. Do you have more details on the ball and socket joints and how they're used to keep the top level?
@@FirthFabrications I'm subscribed and waiting :) -- Really interested to see if this can be adapted for what I was looking to do which is create some adjustable height surfaces with a bit more flexibility in how it's done and parts used
That is incredibly cool, how did you pull that off? I guess some sort of 3d positioning sensor and hydrolics/whatever the air powered version of hydrolics is called? Is there a way to make it more accurate(does it even need to be)? And last but not least what is the weight limit considering the four individual pistons?
You can get the details when I post a full build video in a week or so. But in short, it uses a gyroscopic sensor and a microcontroller to position 4 linear actuators. With even distribution of weight, the actuators *should* support 1200lbs. But the OSB would end up failing way before then.
Good question. I came up with this idea because I wanted my workbench to be on castors, but I have a very unlevel garage floor. Generally the best way to ensure what your building will be level is to start with a level surface.
Good question. I came up with this idea because I wanted my workbench to be on castors, but I have a very unlevel garage floor. Generally the best way to ensure what your building will be level is to start with a level surface.
