3-axis router:

In 1997 I scrounged the ingredients to make a 3-axis rig that could support the mass of a 3 HP router. The XY table cost $100, and the high resolution z-axis ball-screw came out of the "mixed metals" bin of a local scrapper (a most excellent dumpster dive). The resulting mill has a 17x23" XY travel, with ~12" of Z. With this addition to my stuido tools, I am able to explore 3D toolpaths:

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The machine, and a small animation can be found on the Current Projects page, under "Tactile surfaces."