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Home made CNC

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Home made CNC

Postby DaveL » 03 May 2018, 21:36

Some of you may remember this thread about cutting brass, where I was thinking of buying a small CNC machine.
Well I looked at a number of them and thought why not have a go at making one, lots of bits are listed on the dreaded ebay so I bought a collection of things which I have cobbled together, Heath would be proud of me. The basic idea was to build a smallish one that I could use to made bits for a some what larger machine.
I have a few pictures which I will post once they are off my phone and you can all have a laugh at what I have been doing.
I have not tried to cut metal with it, but have cut a few bits of ply and some MDF with quite good results.
Regards,
Dave
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby DaveL » 03 May 2018, 22:08

I have a free copy of Fusion 360, the learning curve is quite steep, but I am being to make a few useful bits.ImageImageImageImageImage
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Malc2098 » 03 May 2018, 22:20

Impressive.

And...Old Guys Rule, as well!!
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Rod » 03 May 2018, 23:48

Clever - what cutting motor does it use?
Did you follow some plans to make it?

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Re: Home made CNC

Postby DaveL » 04 May 2018, 00:37

I am using a Proxon die grinder as the spindle, I have cut some new mounting plates and will be fitting a Trend T3 router.

I have no plans, I have made it up as I went along. I do plan to draw bigger machine, I currently have a working area that is only 200 mm by 500 mm. It has a ball screw for the Z and X axis but only a lead screw for the Y. I want to use 600 mm ball screw that in on the X as the Y on the bigger machine and buy another 1200 mm ball screw for the X. I plan to buy a 2.2kw water cooled spindle which means my current Z axis will need replacing, the reason for this choice is its quieter than a router and it's the smallest unit that can take an ER20 collet set allowing the use of 1/2" shank cutters. The water cooling also means it can be run slower as the cooling is forced, not dependent on a fan on the entire of the motor shaft.
I want to be able to cut the fret slots in a finger board for a P base.
Regards,
Dave
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Mike G » 04 May 2018, 07:24

Very nice! Does this work in 2 axes only, Dave? in other words, do you have control of depth of cut (other than by manually changing the depth of the cutter)?
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby DaveL » 04 May 2018, 08:24

Mike,

it's a full 3 axis machine, but I have only cut what is referred to as 2.5D things so far. The software can do full 3D but I have not tried to do anything that complicated yet.
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Andyp » 04 May 2018, 09:00

Dave, don't worry about Mr Robinson. If it works it works! Over my head but well done.
I do not think therefore I do not am.

cheers
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Malc2098 » 04 May 2018, 09:17

Fret slots!!

You the man! I might be calling on you when it's up and running!
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby DaveL » 06 Mar 2019, 23:01

A quick update. I have used my home made machine to cut a number signs which have been well received by everyone I have given them to.
But I found the frame was not stiff enough to cut much more than the signs, I decided that when I had an unexpected lump I would buy a kit. I spent some time looking at different kits and decided on a WorkBee from Ooznest. They do two different machines and different sizes and drive systems. I selected a 1 metre square machine with lead screw drive. Today I cut the first sign on it.
I reused the proxon as the spindle, I have bought a 2.2kw water cooled spindled but need to make a mounting for it. I need to make a spoilboard but I am not sure what I am going to use.ImageImage
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Malc2098 » 06 Mar 2019, 23:08

Any fret slots yet?! :D
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Re: Home made CNC

Postby Robert » 06 Mar 2019, 23:25

Looks good!

Having spent a lot of my working life programming and operating CNC metal working machines the idea of a home machine for woodwork is quite appealing. I started off just hand writing then typing in the G code then moved on to CAD/CAM. My hand coding had loops for multi parts and were quite small. The CAM software made huge files but was much easier and faster.

Only problem when I think about it is ... what would I use it for? (not to mention where would I keep it!)

Still tempting though.

If I visit my cousin in Woodbridge sometime in the future I'll see if you are open for a demo detour. Love to see what it can do and how the software is to use.
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