CNC Router

Grrr, posted before reading the whole thread... my bad.. I could have sworn I was on the last page :(

pls ignore previous post until I can "catch back up".. thanks
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6927722#post6927722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by guido_kp
cool link, Harold. Well if anyone's interested, I have about 2/3 of my cnc router cut out, glued, and drying as I type. Can get pix tomorrow, if theres an interest. Have yet to get the pipe and bearings for the x,y,and z axis (maybe tomorrow) and have zero electronics. Just bought a chiller for the tank so the steppers/drivers/powersupply may have to wait.
Click to expand...

Any chance of pictures and/or details of what your progress is ? Even if you need to put it on hold, let us know how far you got to, and what it took to get there (both time wise and approximate monetary commitment). If you could pls :). Thanks.
 
hey guys , not much to update really. the chiller install took most of my time up saturday, so it will be tomorrow before i can play around with the router. plan to take some pix and show progress as well. work schedule keeps me busy 3 on/ 3 off then 4 on/ 4 off. its nice having that many days in a row off, though. should make some good progress this week barring any unknowns...
 
bill will you like to send me a pm with the price of the steppers and if you like to sale them i send you a pm but no answer
 
I'm very curious to see the quality of acrylic or PVC work done on a cheap wood/metal DIY CNC router. I'd love to build one, not for the price, but for fun. However, I am using a 3 1/2 HP hand router and it is sluggish pushing through 1/4" acrylic. It's better than a 1 3/4 HP, but there is still noticeable resistance. I cannot imagine how a cheap wooden CNC router is going to be accurate for our purposes. I have a feeling that the results will be "good enough", but I can do that by hand. If the CNC uses something as absurd as a Dremel, there is no chance it would work unless multiple passes are done, even for thin stock.

I'm just trying to be realistic here. Is it even worth doing for what we would end up using it for?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6962515#post6962515 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarkS
I'm very curious to see the quality of acrylic or PVC work done on a cheap wood/metal DIY CNC router. I'd love to build one, not for the price, but for fun. However, I am using a 3 1/2 HP hand router and it is sluggish pushing through 1/4" acrylic. It's better than a 1 3/4 HP, but there is still noticeable resistance. I cannot imagine how a cheap wooden CNC router is going to be accurate for our purposes. I have a feeling that the results will be "good enough", but I can do that by hand. If the CNC uses something as absurd as a Dremel, there is no chance it would work unless multiple passes are done, even for thin stock.

I'm just trying to be realistic here. Is it even worth doing for what we would end up using it for?
Click to expand...

MarkS,

I do not have a CNC. I do want one though. I agree that a dremel powered cnc would never do for cutting anything other than light material. I would hesitate to use the laminate trimmer versions as well. That being said, I think a decent router would do fine in this. When I work with my router, I sometimes take to big of a bite of material. When I do a full depth pass, I can get it to bog down. I am sure the same thing would happen in acrylic no matter the cnc frame type.

With CNC though, we should be able to program the code to bypass our "laziness" and make those cuts in multiple passes. I already know that I should do that, but I sometimes get tempted to take a deeper cut and just go slower. As for machine stability, there are a number of designs that show remarkable stability considering the material.

It will all come down to planned useage. MDF and pipe will never be a heavy duty cycle machine. On the work pieces I have found pictures of made on these home built machines, some exibited quite accurate results. The Solsylva unit listed in this thread has quite reasonable quality cuts for the cost of the machine.

The one thing I have learned from cnczone.com is that the first machine is usually used to build the second machine. My goal is to make the first one affordable since I will upgrade anyway.

Good Luck
Dale
 
When you run a router for cnc you use a rather small bit or what is called an endmill , I use either a1/4 or 1/8 inch end mill . You can make excelent cuts with a small router or laminate trimmer . I speak from experiance not from the top of my head . What determines what you can do with the machine is what the frame is made of . Look at Spazzs cnc , thats one heavy duty machine , no plywood there . There is a million choices for endmills also , Just experiment . I like 4 flute upcutting , center cutting , diamond coated endmills . They cost more than carbide but they last longet and they cut baby smooth .
What ever you build incorporate some kind of chip removal device ,be it vacuum or compressed air , I use air woorks well .
 
Wow, this is a cool thread. Had never considered your average person might build or own a cnc.. I need a big house with a workshop.
 
hey guys, havent abandoned the thread, just got to thinking that RC may not appreciate me hosting my cnc progress on the site - so i havent taken any pix yet. the gantry is finished and the rails (pipes) are cut. pretty much just have the x axis and z axis boxes and the router mount left to go. then decide what controller and stepper combo to get. if someone wants to host the pix i would take a few.
 
If you aren't a business and are just trying to help other DIY hobbyists, odds are RC won't have an issue with your images and suggestions.
 
111784okuma_mill-thumb.jpg



This is what I use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

adova
300g DIY Acrylic Tank Recommendations
Replies
5
Views
232
griss
griss
F
Type K thermocouple on Apex?
Replies
7
Views
298
FishTri
F
E
Neptune DDR diy question for AWC
Replies
3
Views
218
Reefing102
Reefing102
S
WTB: 100 gallon tank
Replies
0
Views
54
Solais
S
Dr. Reef
Memorial Day Sale @ Dr. Reef's
Replies
0
Views
24
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Back
Top