Oregon Trail'R Build Link

[oregonguy]

My brother and I are about 85% done with our build on our first "Streeter" model trailer. We have a build progress area on our webpage that has many pictures of our whole build process. If you are interested in seeing our progress, here is the link to the build page: http://www.oregontrailer.net/Oregon_Trailer/Streeter_Build.html#grid

We are really excited with the way the trailer is turning out. We update the page at least once a week with new pictures.

Thanks for looking!

[David S]

Looks like your building a quality trailer,look forward to the finished product

[aggie79]

Very nice. It is evident that, with all the special features, a lot of thought went into the design. Your construction skills are also evident.

Good luck with your business venture!

Tom

[oregonguy]

Thanks for the kind comments. Coming from you guys, it means alot! You both have such impressive builds. We are really trying to mirror the kind of build quality and forethought that we see on builds like yours and many others who frequent this forum.

[vtx1029]

Great site and craftsmanship

One question... Why are you doing so much hand work if you have a cnc router? Why not cut the dato's, window, door, and wire slot openings when you cut the profile? and the skin as well?

[Cliffmeister2000]

Very cool!

I envy your tools, your jigs, and your skills!

[oregonguy]

Great site and craftsmanship

One question... Why are you doing so much hand work if you have a cnc router? Why not cut the dato's, window, door, and wire slot openings when you cut the profile? and the skin as well?

Unfortunately we don't own that CNC Router. We just bought time on it to cut our profile template...one day when we're rich and famous we'll buy one of our own

[vtx1029]

Great site and craftsmanship

One question... Why are you doing so much hand work if you have a cnc router? Why not cut the dato's, window, door, and wire slot openings when you cut the profile? and the skin as well?

Unfortunately we don't own that CNC Router. We just bought time on it to cut our profile template...one day when we're rich and famous we'll buy one of our own

Oh that makes sense. With your guys skill you could easily build a 4x8 foot router for 3-5k depending what all bells and whistles you put on it... I'm building a small table top unit right now and hope one day to build a 4x8 but I need to find more room first.

[oregonguy]

Great site and craftsmanship

One question... Why are you doing so much hand work if you have a cnc router? Why not cut the dato's, window, door, and wire slot openings when you cut the profile? and the skin as well?

Unfortunately we don't own that CNC Router. We just bought time on it to cut our profile template...one day when we're rich and famous we'll buy one of our own

Oh that makes sense. With your guys skill you could easily build a 4x8 foot router for 3-5k depending what all bells and whistles you put on it... I'm building a small table top unit right now and hope one day to build a 4x8 but I need to find more room first.

I hadn't considered build our own CNC....Hmmm We've built a fair amount of our own tools for this: Metal Brake, Frame Jig, Etc, Etc, but I've never thought about the CNC Router. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts/ideas on the subject...

[GuyllFyre]

I've considered it, seriously.
Unfortunately, knowing my particular skillset and ability, there's NO WAY I'd be able to get enough accuracy in my cuts and build to put together an accurate self-built CNC rig without first having access to a CNC rig to correctly make the parts I'd need.

I know my limitations, I just don't have the accuracy in my craftsmanship to make it happen.

If you do it, let me know how it turns out.

[Dusty82]

FAIR WARNING: The link below is highly addictive! Follow at your own risk!

http://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx

Patrick Hood-Daniel (author of the above site) literally wrote the book on home built CNC machines. He designed his first home built CNC and built it in the bathroom and dining room of his apartment, using common hand tools (back saw, plastic miter box, screwdrivers, pliers, etc...,) a cordless screwdriver, and a router. You really have to watch the videos yourself to believe it. When finished with his first machine, he used it to design and cut out a larger machine, taking the motors and electronics from the first one to complete the second. He now sells CNC machine kits of his own design from his home.

His 2009 book "Build Your Own CNC Machine" (http://buildyourcnc.com/Book.aspx) is a best seller, and the proceeds from it and his home built CNC Kit business have allowed him to retire from his job as a civil engineer.

If you go to the above linked website, be prepared to spend a LOT of time following his progress as he builds his original CNC. He videotaped every step, and the videos are linked right there on the home page. All of the information needed to build and use a duplicate of his first CNC machine are included in the videos, and on each video page. Start at the top left of the home page with the link to "Basics - Read First," then check the other pages in order. Even if you've never even seen a CNC machine before, if you know which end of a hammer to hold, you can build and use one of these machines following his instructions.

I'm not hawking his book, but it will give you step by step instructions on how to build and use a much improved, larger version of his first CNC machine.

I'm currently in the process of gathering the supplies and parts to build my first machine. I have his book, and am following the instructions therein. I plan to use it to build a CNC big enough to let me cut 4'X8' sheet goods - then the real fun begins...

REPEAT OF WARNING: If you go to his website, linked above, and you have even a glimmer of an interest in building a CNC machine of your own, you WILL spend entirely too much time reading every single page of it.

[AlexTutt]

do you happen to know where he got those LED dome lights? they are really cool!

[oregonguy]

FAIR WARNING: The link below is highly addictive! Follow at your own risk!.

Sounds like a dangerous site. Luckily my middle name happens to be...danger!

[oregonguy]

do you happen to know where he got those LED dome lights? they are really cool!

I assume you're referring to our RGB led remote controlled dome light..? We actually made them... We have one in the cab and one in the galley. We will be offering them for sale on our site very soon. We're really really happy about the way they are turning out. The ones in our trailer are solid African mahogany, but we'll be offering them in other wood finishes as well as painted versions. We'll be sure to announce it on this forum when we're ready to release them. We're just too busy finishing the trailer at the moment to work on the lights...but within a month or so we'll be ready to sell them like hotcakes! We'll be selling them from our accessory page: http://www.oregontrailer.net/Oregon_Trailer/Accessories.html
The acrylic lenses are now frosted, not clear like the ones shown, musts looks cleaner frosted!

[vtx1029]

With your guy's welding skills your cheapest route may be to build the frame out of steel. A lot of guys build them out of 8020 aluminum extrusions but it can get costly very quick.

After seeing what you guys have done with your lights and stuff I have no doubt you could build one with a little help.

Check out CNC Zone forum. Its beyond a wealth of knowledge! http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc_router_table_machines/
The learning curve can be a little steep at first if you have never been around machining or automated equipment just stick with it. I'd suggest to start reading here http://www.cncroutersource.com/



http://www.joescnc.com/index.php there are a few guys who modify the Joe's 4x4 to 4x8 units...

I think CNC router parts has one of the best "inexpensive" linear slide setups with their cold rolled steel and carriage set-up. Also their rack and pinion set up is and would be much better suited for a 4x8 machine then a lead screw. http://www.cncrouterparts.com/index.php

For cam software you may want to look at this http://www.vectric.com/ most of what I've read is its some of the easiest software to work with. + some of their higher up stuff comes with somewhat of a CAD software so you can draw your part and do your tool paths in one program. You can also import a lot of different formats into it if you already have CAD software.

Mach 3 is the standard for windows based cnc controller software http://www.machsupport.com/

Good luck. And as said it can be addictive!

I don't claim to be an expert at all, just what I've found while building my cnc that's still not cutting parts yet I'm still saving up for software and summer is also getting in the way.