It would probably be best to remove the old one; otherwise, you will lose some Z cutting height. It might benefit you to purchase some extra extrusions to go in the bottom. I did that on my original machine and never had any MDF sagging issues up to the day when I upgraded the entire machine to a larger size and aluminum base for the t-track & wasteboard.
It is not necessary, but I over-engineer everything…
Surfacing the wasteboard when it starts needing it should suffice for preventing any issue due to cupping/bowing unless you live in the jungle or Alabama (my home state… ).
You can also find all of the parts at other online retailers as well if you wanted to go that route. Even if the extrusion you buy is slightly too long, you can easily cut it with a miter saw (if you have one).
If you are looking to make an aluminum base, I would highly recommend Speedy Metals out of New Berline, WI. They were great to work with, fast, and cheaper (even with shipping) than any of the local metal sourcing companies here in Virginia.
Yeah, I think my total cost for 1/4" plate 6061 for a 750 X-Carve was about $120 from Speedy Metals.
Magnets are your friends when moving around those types of t-nuts to align with holes.
My upgrade came before Inventables created their new wasteboard design, so the layout is different, but you could put holes in the aluminum anywhere you want to. Again, the aluminum base isn’t required, but I wanted to go that route several years ago.
I just ordered a piece of quarter inch aluminum. I plan to layout and drill all holes myself once everything comes in. I’m pretty excited about it all.
According to my records, I used the M5 x 0.8 mm Thread, 12 mm long pack of 100. I will be headed out to the shop in the early morning Eastern time and will be able to confirm for sure.
As long as you countersink them just to the top of the aluminum or just below it everything should be perfectly fine. I remember, …I think…, wanting to ensure I had the entire bite on the t-nuts as well as making it easy to get the screw going into the t-nuts that would be sitting in the bottom of the channel.
My favorite local fab shop has not even responded to me or given me a price in 5 weeks now. I called two other local shops today. My piece is 39 1/4” by 36 15/16”……1/4” 6061 aluminum is what I want.
The first shop quoted $935!!! The second $750. That’s local!
I called your speedy metals….$242 in stock and going to ship out tomorrow 3 day UPS. They could not have been nicer!
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