DIY: How to Make V-SLOT Uniwersal Saw and Router Jig Guide

DO IT YOURSELF!

SAW GUIDE: Aluminum V-SLOT frame

Once again, we would like to present you a project that was created entirely of components of the OpenBuilds V-SLOT system and elements of V-SLOT Polska. Many people asked us to prepare a saw guide design that will facilitate the cutting of wood and other materials.

In this article, we will describe to you how a circular saw guide is constructed.

HOW TO BUILD A SAW GUIDE?

To build a guide, you will need a few components that can be found in the V-SLOT.PL store - the list of components below. In addition to the components that you will find on the list below, you will need an Allen key and a flat wrench 8. The assembly time is not about 1 hour and not even a beginner DIYer should have no problems with assembling them on their own.

To make it easier for you to complete the kit, we have prepared a special "KIT" that includes all the necessary accessories for the construction. The only thing that you should choose to suit your needs are aluminum profiles, which you can buy in lengths from 15cm to 300cm!

WHAT CAN THE CONSTRUCTION BE USED FOR: The structure is a simple system of V-SLOT profiles and accessories that creates a stable and rigid linear guide. On the trolley that moves along the profiles, you can mount an aluminum plate to which you can attach various tools - for example a circular saw.

However, it should be remembered that when installing cutting, rotating, drilling and other devices, ensure a stable mounting of the tool and take all precautions during work.

Below is a list of components that will be needed to build the guide. In addition, a few in the description below, a few sketches, graphics and comments that will facilitate the construction of this structure.

ELEMENTS FROM THE V-SLOT POLAND STORE:

1x X-PLAN BASE KIT
LINK
Description: This kit includes most of the accessories needed to build a linear guide. A complete description can be found after going to the product subpage by clicking on the link above.

2x C-BEAM PROFILES (length as needed)
LINK
Description: C-BEAM profiles are stable structural profiles operating in the V-SLO system, which enable the movement of, for example, a linear trolley. This massive 40x80 profile is also used in the construction of CNC machines, which you can also find in our store. In our store you can buy C-BEAM profiles up to 3 meters long!

4 / 5x V-SLOT 2080 ALUMINUM PROFILE (length as required, such as C-BEAM profiles)
LINK
Description: 20x80 aluminum profile is used to build the base of the saw. Twisting these profiles allows you to create a stable base on which we can place the detail to be processed. In addition, the advantage of these profiles is a groove that allows the installation of additional accessories such as clamps. It is enough to buy hammer inlets (LINK), place them in the profile channels and then tighten the grip to the profile surface using M5 screws. (LINK TO SCREWS)

AS AN ADDITIONAL OPTION:

1x ALUMINUM PROFILE V-SLOT 2040 (length as required)
LINK

1x Universal Gantry Plate KIT
LINK
Description: This element should be treated as an addition and not everyone will need it. By purchasing and installing this profile together with the Gantry Plate Universal 20-80 trolley, we can create a beam to which we deliver the material, and then, using a trolley moving along the edge, we can set the distance so that the material, for example, cut to the appropriate size.

ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS:

In addition to the elements listed above, you may need other additional components. Of course, what you use the construction for is an individual matter, so you should analyze your own needs.

• Allen keys (for screwing the structure)
• Wrench 8 (for bolting the structure)
• tape measure (for profile 2040)
• Clamps / handles
• Drill with drill bits (for the preparation of the trolley plate)
• Grinder (for the preparation of the trolley plate)

The construction of the guide consists of a few simple steps.

When you buy the X-PLAN basic set, you will receive partially assembled components to facilitate and shorten the assembly time.

Below, we will briefly describe the individual stages of the assembly step by step.

The first step we suggest is to embed the carriages in the channels of the C-BEAM profile.

In the X-PLAN set you will find two twisted carts. Trolley rollers should enter the C-BEAM profile channel so that they move along the profile. Initially, the rollers are set so that the trolley, moving in a straight line, should be stable and move with a slight resistance. If the trolley has any play, change the position of the eccentric nuts on the Mini V-Wheel rollers to increase the pressure.

We perform this operation up to 2 trolleys / 2 C-BEAM profiles.

C-BEAM profiles, as mentioned above, should be purchased of the appropriate length so that the structure meets your needs.

If you buy the X-PLAN set with aluminum profiles, the profiles will be threaded in the right places by us. However, if you purchase aluminum profiles at a different time, you should thread the profiles yourself (M5).

We screw the plates together with the profiles using M5x25mm Allen screws (16 pcs - included in the set) and our guide is almost 50% ready!

A set of X-PLAN elements can be purchased together with an aluminum plate with a thickness of 6mm.

This plate has prepared holes in the corners so that it can be screwed with M5 screws to the bottom of the carts moving on the C-BEAM profiles. This plate has 4 holes for mounting to trolleys and one central hole. Because we know that the application of this structure may be different, you have different tools, it is difficult for us to prepare a universal plate. For this reason, you should drill holes in the plate on your own so that you can easily mount the tool. For example, if you want to attach a circular saw, cut the aluminum plate so that the blade blade can cut the detail under the saw and drill holes so that the saw is screwed together with the trolley. You can also use this structure and install the spindle so that the cutter passes through the central hole and the spindle is attached to the trolley. People who decide not to buy the X-PLAN set must make the base plate on their own.

The base is screwed with M5 x 8mm screws to the aluminum profiles using the T-NUT grooves located in the bottom channel of the 2080 profile.

The next step will be to install the 2040 profiles behind the side plates.

These profiles will be used to attach the corners and profiles that form the table under the guide. For this we will need 2 pcs of 2040 profiles with a length of 400 mm, 4 M5x15 mm screws and 4 M5 hammer grooves (X-PLAN included).

The profiles are screwed to the front plates as shown in the graphic below.

In the first step, the L corners should be screwed to the 2040 profiles, which we screwed to the front panels in step 4.

After screwing the corners, screw the profiles 2080 and thus create a table under the trolley. Here we will use elements from the X-PLAN set: - Triple corners - T-NUT OpenBuilds M5 grooves (to screw the corner together with the 2040 profile) - M5 hammer inlets for screwing the 2080 profiles together with the corner

- M5 x 8mm screws

- Profiles 2080 (5pcs, not included in the X-PLAN set)

As various accessories can be installed, the table can be solid or, for example, we can unscrew one of the 2080 profiles to give space for the saw blade.

At this stage, we have the guide ready. Now you just need to install additional accessories. Here, depending on the use of the structure, the accessories may be different.

In the X-PLAN set you will find a bit more M5 screws and grooves that will allow the installation of, for example, clamps. You can also buy separately, for example, a 2040 profile with a Universal Gantry Plate trolley on which you can place a measure and thus easily build an arm that will be used to measure the distance (ARM KIT AVAILABLE AT THE ROPE).

By following these 6 steps, we create a structure that allows us to build a universal linear guide that can be used in many ways.

This design draws elements from the X-PLAN V2 WOOD PLANNER, so people who have the X-PLAN V2 planner can easily modify their design. People who purchase elements to build this linear guide can also later expand it and create a wood planner! We also know that there can be many applications, therefore we plan to have many elements that will be compatible with this design. - The table made of profiles can be replaced with MDF board and placed in T-SLOT profiles - Driving base for embedding the structure

and a lot more

• Maximum length 3000mm
• External dimensions of the trolley: 300 mm x 300 mm
• Internal field dimensions: approx. 240 x 290 mm
  ATTENTION! CHECK IF YOU CAN PUSH THE TOOL!
• Maximum design load: 10 kg ATTENTION! Depending on the tool base plate used, this value may vary
• Working area (counting for the axis of the trolley): Length - 300 mm For example, with C-BEAM profiles of 3000 mm, the working area for the axis of the trolley is 2700 mm
• Weight for a structure with a length of 1000 mm with a table made of profiles: approx. 20 kg
• The clearance between the trolley's plate and the base on which the structure stands: 74mm
• Clearance between the bogie plate and the profiles 2080: 39 mm