Best workbench for the Romaxx WD-1?

[mochaman]

I just ordered a Romaxx WD-1 cnc router. While I wait for it to ship I wanted to build a work bench just for it. I was told that the bench needs to be at least 32" X 40". I know it weighs almost 200 lbs.,so the bench needs to be heavy duty.

What else should I consider? I have a small shop but if the bench needs to be bit bigger, I could do that. What is the best height? Does the type of surface matter? Should I plan on mounting the cnc router to the bench or can it just sit on it? Any other recommendations would be very appreciated.

[georgemyers]

I have HS1 and it is lighter than the WD1. I just have mine setting on top of an old heavy duty bench I picked up from work. Never ran into a problem by not having it bolted to the table.

I think as long as it is level and does not "bow" when you put the router on it you are good to go.

Other things you might pick up before your router arrives are a few end mill, v-bits and ball noise bits depending on what type of work you will be doing.

Dust collector, anything is better than nothing, I use a shop vac with a mini clearvu setting on top of it. It gets the job done.

[dan]

Hi,

My first post here.

I made a self contained cabinet to house my WD1. Here is some pictures of my project. Might give you a some idea's. Hope you enjoy your new machine as much as I do mine.

Dan

[mochaman]

Wow, Dan, that is quite a cabinet. Thank you for the example. Could you tell me what the detentions are? Is the bottom just a sheet of plywood?

[georgemyers]

Very nice setup, like the way you made extra storage and a place for the PC. Got to copy your way of holding the wrench when not in use.

[nova290]

Very nice cabinet! I like the knotty pine look and your organization of the wires.
In my case, there would be a problem of the keyboard vs monitor location. I do a lot of reprograming g-code at the machine. I'm just use to the monitor being in front of me, not to the side. I chose the wall hanging method, which saves space. Unless you close the keyboard all the time you will get dust in the mechanism. Some always gets away. I had my machine for a while, and no matter what I did the dust was too much. That's why I built an enclosure with clear doors. It has protected me from a few flying pieces, as well as abate the router noise, and ended the dust problems.

[dan]

mochaman,

I started out with a 1"x3" frame with and a piece of 3/4" plywood for the bottom self. The top is also a 1"X3" frame with 3/4" mdf board.

I would highly recommend a good set of rubber casters to make the machine convenient to move out the way when not in use.

Dimensions I used

Base W 24" L 33" H 33"
Top W 29.5" L 37.5" H .75 mdf

georgemyers,

Thank You... I used a small 1"x2" magnet to hold the wrench in place.

[mochaman]

Nova290 could you tell me the inside detentions of the case you made for your Romaxx? I might try to combine both you enclosure idea with dan's cabinet idea.

PS thanks for all the input.

[nova290]

The dimensions are 4' X 3' X 3' 4" tall.
I built the enclosure with extra room on the sides to clean up. I also raised the machine up so I could clean. I didn't have my 4th axis when I built the box. I would have added 6" to the length. Now I slide the machine from side to side on Teflon slides if I need the full travel of the y axis. The extra height is good for vacuum hose travel as well as head room for changing tools and such. I left air flow around the front of the machine for cooling the router and for the vacuum. The air travels under the machine then around the outsides, which keeps the electronics cool. The worktable is on locking casters. This enables me to access the whole machine, because I made the rear walls easily removable. If the machine needs to be completely taken out of the box, I made it so it disassembles with a few easily accessible screws.
I would make a few changes if I built it again, but it is fine as it is. I think the best part besides keeping the dust under control, is the sound level reduction with the plexiglass doors closed. I first made it with double doors. One with plexiglass the outer door with 1 inch foam board insulation. I took the foam door off because it really didn't cut the sound level as much as the plexiglass. I used weather stripping tape to seal the doors and helped a lot.
Good luck with your project!

[grumpywoodworker]

Not too fancy but to start with how about the "2x4 basics" kit and make the top from a solid wood door?

The 2x4 basics bench is very sturdy and can be built to whatever size you need and the solid wood doors are affordable and can be picked up at any big box store.

[greggarriss]

The casters really come in handy...My machine is in my living room / bedroom so I move it regularly. I was in a hurry so I started out with a steel 3ʻx4ʻ Rockler workstand kit and added the top surface and cabinet. Itʻs stout and has space below for shelving and dust collector. Weather stripping the doors ( thereʻs 4 ) helps a lot though the doors will stick to it after a while. The box is 32" high x 36 wide x 48 deep.

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[greggarriss]

Almost forgot.. The machine sits on 1/2" sorbothane pads.. It really helped with the noise!!. I can watch TV 4 feet away while itʻs running a part. The airborne noise from the router is still annoying but I can hardly hear the WD-1 axes move.

[gvjeeper]

Greg - can you give me more information about the sorbothane pads - where you buy them, any special type?
Thanks!

[jimwill52]

Very impressive cabinets! I built a cabinet very similar to Dan's minus the knotty pine. I also put the computer inside to save space. I like the keyboard drawer but I put mine beside the CNC cabinet so it was out of the way. I may rethink that.

Welcome to the elite group of Romaxx owners!

Jim

[jimwill52]

This is the front of my cabinet... pretty simple made of 2x4's with birch plywood sliding doors. I put the computer inside with a fan to keep it cool (it's wired to the computer.)

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