James, good eye! It is indeed an EERF frame. I got the frame put together last night. It needs about thirteen 1/4" by 3" bolts/nuts and three 3/8" by 2" bolts/nuts along with a 1/2" by 2" bolt/nut for the tension arm pivot. I also used some 1/4" by 1.5" tappered head machine screws to secure the upright to the base. I'm thinking about possibly welding it as well, just along that seam. I used two more of the same machine screws to secure the tracking pivot mechanism to the arm.
It all went together really well. I actually ended up building it backwards in orientation with the motor to the right. I didn't have or need instructions, I just used the pictures on the bladeforums thread. It's pretty simple to figure out.
A couple of things I noticed. It's very front heavy with the short base. It needs to be secured to the bench once it's finished out. The motor weight will help, but you'll need to secure it regardless. Also, most of the cuts/holes were perfect. However, there were two that were slightly deformed from the laser cut. That made it hard to tap, so be sure to chase the holes with a bit before tapping. There are a number of holes to tap and several to drill to get it together. Stop by harbor freight and pick up a set of transfer punches if you don't already have them. On the tracking pivot mechanism, after the pieces were drilled and fit together, I ended up rounding the corner of one side of the tracking wheel mount with the grinder to allow it to pivot through it's full range.
I don't have the parts to finish it out just yet, but once I get it done, I'll post a pictures thread. I still need the drive wheel, tracking wheel, and motor along with miscellaneous knobs.
--nathan
I'm a pack rat
