Rep-Rap Build Part 1

After a few weeks waiting all of the extra printed parts I needed have arrived I can begin the build.
I realized that I also needed to get a pile of nuts, bolts and washers. While sorting through the storage room I found the plastic tote of hardware I got from Jackie's uncle. Lots of containers of nuts, bolts, washers and misc hardware. Looking through I found just about everything I need. It's perfect and will help cut the costs down!
Going through some online assembly videos I realized I needed to do some alignment checks and tightening of the frame before I could begin adding all the of axis parts.
Here is a link to the prusa mendel i2 assembly site with videos.
http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Prusa_Mendel_Assembly_(iteration_2)

Joel included an alignment jig with the kit of stuff he gave me and boy was that a life saver.
Here you can see a few photo's of the alignment being done along with the jig.

Top Alignment

Lower frame alignment

More lower frame alignment

It took about an hour to make sure everything was properly aligned, squared and aligned and then double checking it over again to be sure it was bang on.

After that was done I could begin on some of the assembly.

I started with the x-axis basic parts as it was a quick win.

Here you can see some if it assembled.

x-axis rough assembly

X-Axis bearing installed

After that was done I could start on some of the y-axis construction.

First was to make sure the smooth rod clamps were properly aligned and square.

Smooth rod clamps and idler pulley

Next up was to install the rods with printed bearings installed, then check they were perfectly parallel and square. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Printed bearings on smooth rods

Now that they were installed I could add the print base plate clamps. to the bearings.

I was very impressed at the design to precisely fit some small zip ties to hold the clamps to the bearings.

Here you can see some examples of it.

Clamp with zip-tie

More clamp with zip-tie

Clamp tied to printed bearing

That's all I have for now, next up will be the base plate installation and hopefully the x and z axis installation.