I'm assembling my first machine, a 500x750 Workbee. It seems I could recover a couple inches of usable x axis work surface by reversing/swapping the gantry support plates. I would need longer front and back frame rails, but the rest of the parts would still work. This would reverse the c-beam assembly and expose the leadscrew to sawdust: I don't know how much of a problem that would cause. Any other reasons this would be a bad idea? Thanks
You might also consider drilling a matching set of nut block attachment holes in the smaller plates and then you could leave the side C-beam rails facing out.
I thought of that as well, but I haven't read anything or seen any pictures of anybody doing this, so I figured there had to be a good reason that I had just not thought of. If there is no reason not to do it, I'm surprised that it was originally designed in a way that reduces the working area. I'm just looking for the gotcha before I start modding a machine I've never even used. Is there one? Thanks
