CNC Router Vacuum Table - Part 3 - Zoned Spoil Board

Now that the vacuum table is cut and sealed, along with the vacuums being installed and plumbed in, it's time to install the spoil board. I am using 1 1/2" MDF that is cut in pieces, with the edges sealed, to help keep the vacuum in its own zone.
I know that this video isn't really exciting, but this really does play an important roll in the use of the machine. Without this spoil board, regardless of how thick it is, it protects the vacuum table from cut through damage.
I personally prefer the thicker spoil board, solely because I will have to replace it less often.
Depending on how messed up it gets, I can easily resurface this thing up to 10 times before having to replace the pieces.
When the surface is completely flat it also holds your material a little bit better, then when you have cuts in it.

I am now excited to start fitting out the shop with items that I can make on the CNC.

There will also be some other projects thrown in there from time to time, but they will all center around the CNC being used as the primary tool.

Thanks for watching!

[dwayneadams]

Thank you. The system works great. I followed your direction fully for making the vacuum system, except mine is four zone and I added a Fuji PV8 vacuum relief valve. I used 3/4" solid surface for the vacuum table. I made the spoil board out of 1" MDF.

[albeal]

Yous Sir made this build look so symple. Never the less having the right tools to do the job helped. Last but not least I am confident the planning you had done was spot on double, triple, and the checked again before you started. Great series loved it from the beggining (garage build) to to the interior setup. avb

[ralphgutierrez]

Great series, thank you for your explanations. You demonstrated using a thick spoil board. Have you considered a much thinner board, 1/8"? We use a full 4'x8' MDF 1/8' and allow the bits to take a small amount with each job run. (Clean cut for each piece) After numerous jobs we simply replace the 1/8" board. (I can't think of how many jobs, but we are a commercial shop and use the machine extensively) It's easy since we don't fasten that piece down and let the vacuum take care of it for us. We then use that scared 1/8" board as a floor covering for our finishing area. Thought it might help.

[Vito]

good work mate. In my opinion, that waist board shouldn´t be so thick. Half of that thickness would be right. Another important pois is : using a gasket between g first grid surface in all the perimeter by zones.

[milebush]

I just came across this video and it’s been very helpful, as I have struggled for a while now getting a proper spoil board setup. Can you tell me what you used to seal the edges of the boards?

[alessiog.]

good job. Is it possible to know the technical data of the engines?
Air flow, electrical power...?

[PSModernKitchens]

Nice! I want to use two of my Festool vacuums for my 4x4 X Carve Pro

[artbyveny]

can you describe on how you are holding the MDF to the phenolic table? Are you predrilling your phenolic table? What king of screw can you recommend to use, i.e. fine thread vs coarse, specific type screws or brand? Thank you!

[richiemag]

Nice video ! what type and brand are the vac pumps ?

[Golfexpertbelieveme]

Does your work piece have to cover the whole vacuum spot or can you put a piece that is smaller on there and it would work too?

[clintondarby]

Paul,
thanks so much for taking the time to make these 3 videos. I am about to purchase a Stinger 3. I understand you worked with a Stinger 3 with the Hurricane system before. Do you notice any difference in the function between your system and the Hurricane set up? Pros vs cons?
What would you estimate the total cost for your Vacuum table set up?
I believe your system will save money up front and each time a vacuum motor goes up. I am a hobbyist, I have never used the vacuum table in the applications I use a CNC.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Clint

[seanmichael]

curious if that thing has lasted with those vac pumps. looks like an awesome table i just dont see those vacs holding up

[misterjones]

How is there ANYvacuum to hold down the top sheet if the sheet directly below thw sheet to be cut is SOLID with no access to any of the vacuum what am I missing here ???

[samadabdul]

Did you screw the mdf directly into plenum table? I'm considering doing this because I don't want to run my vacuum pump at night time or sometimes Also some jobs don't require vacuum. I cut small letters and they go flying into the vacuum.

[graveurgraveur]

Why did you cut the spoil board into segments, rather than using a sheet the size of the sub spoilboard?

[lostsignal]

Thanks for sharing, awesome work! I am doing a similar build and was wondering if anyone had tried peck drilling a shallow hole pattern on the top face of the MDF instead of a full re-surface? Since they sell those gasket sheets with a hole pattern to go on top of the MDF... wouldn't that accomplish the same thing? Would be much cheaper than using the gasket tiles and save time on the re-surface.

[johnross]

I see you have a rotary axis off the side of your table
what post processor did you use

[gwdvideo]

I am expecting my machine in 4 weeks - this video has been super, super helpful. Did you put inserts to hold the screws on the spoiler? Also, I read on the CAMheads that big box MDF might not work, need to buy commercially. Did you use big-box MDF, and I hope so as it is easy to get then commercial grade. thanks

[mazin__]

How do you align your wood board perfectly?

[VladOnEarth]

Don't quite understand the point if that system is only able to hold the spoilbostd, but not the actual part 🤷🏻‍♂️