I used some of the extruded aluminum as a jig to weld the 7/16″ square stock into the edges of my quarter inch steel rail.

I spent many hours standing by a friends Bridgeport milling machine cutting the “V”channel in the edges of my quarter inch steel rail.

This is just a quick mock up of my plan for the rail.  I’m planning on using key stock laying on its edge for the rail. I will mill a 90 degree channel in the quarter inch steel for it to sit in, then tack weld it in place.  I’m surprised how well it turned out seeing as I just sort of threw it together without any milling.

The first parts arrived so I just laid out the framework quick to see how it looks.  I’m still not sure of the final design so things may change from here.  The outside rails are 1500mm x 1000mm (60″x40″).

Watch here and follow along with the progress on my table top CNC machine.  I plan to start off with a router to mill aluminum and wood, but someday hope to purchase a plasma cutter to cut patterns from steel.

Parts will be here tomorrow, so I plan to start the initial construction which will hopefully lead me in a better direction toward the final design.