Ok - so I've embarked on a project that is pretty exciting (at least to me) :) - I'm building my own CNC router/milling machine

(This is my first machine and this post is several years old now - please make sure to check out my second machine after this one! :)

I'll post links to stuff and pictures of my progress so y'all can share in my excitement!

I'm building it from MDF as so many others before me have done (like at the CNCZone) and I'll use the machine to make parts for my next build (that's the plan)

One last note to start: I'm using the stepper motors from old dot matrix printers that I've scrounged up and trying to build everything I can from stuff I can get at Home Depot or Lowe's :) - I actually ended up with a bunch of motors that were too small for my use - so if anyone needs some small stepper motors - I'll put them up on eBay...


Here's a shot of the base


Here is the chamfer on the side of the base where the rails will sit


Here's a preview of how the angle will fit


Here's a preview of the supports (later changed)


Here's the top of the base with the supports attached - holes are countersunk and hard to see :)


Here's a look at the supports


Here's a look at two completed rail assemblies and how they will fit on the rails


Here's a shot of the almost completed controller - I had to wait until I got a power supply so I could test the voltage before putting the expensive parts on ;)


I did a test to see which glues would hold best - basically I glued four pieces of the aluminum angle to a test piece of MDF (using Super Glue, Gorilla Glue, Contact Cement, and Mighty Putty) and then banged it around and on the ground and the piece that fell off last (after I really had to whack it HARD on the ground) was the contact cement... (Super Glue came off first, then the Mighty Putty, then the Gorilla Glue, and finally the Contact Cement)

Here's a shot of the base with the rails attached (glued with contact cement)


Another look at the base with the rails attached


Here's the base with the sides attached


Here's a look at the cross dowel connection


Here's another look at the cross dowel connections




Ok - starting to work on the Gantry now...

Here I'm setting up to route the notch that the rail assemblies will fit into


and here's the finished notches :)


Here's a preview of how the rail assemby will fit into the notch


Another shot of the rail assembly in the notch


Got the Power supply and the voltage checked out so I finished the controller board


Here's a look at the power supply


I had to redo the rail assemblies


Another view of the new rail assemblies


Another view of the new rail assemblies


Heres's the almost finished gantry


Here's a view of the gantry underneath


Here's a Video of the gantry moving :)

Gantry Moving



Got the rails glued onto the Y Axis


The Y Axis Rails on the Gantry


Found these stick on rubber feet I thought would be good for the power supply


This is my good for nothing lazy dog LOL - This is what she does while I'm working ha ha




Here are some pictures of the finished computer set up with the controller and power supply all in the case...

Final Computer Setup


Heat Sinks and Motor Connections


Power Supply


DB9 Inside


DB9 Outside




Getting the Y-Axis going :) here's a few pics and one video... I think that the Gantry is too tall - so I'm going to move the Y-Axis down too

Y-Axis


Y-Axis 2




Y Axis Moving



4/26/2008 - Made a little progress today :) here's the pics and a few videos...

Lead Screw Nut Idea


Lead Screw Bearing


Lead Screw Nut Installed


X Axis Bearing


X Axis Lead Screw Nut


Testing the Lead Screw with a Drill


Soldering the DB9 Connector


Finished DB9


All the Axis Connectors Done




Here are two videos of me testing the Axis Lead Screws :)

X Axis Test

Y Axis Test



Ok - made a little progress last night and took another step back... Basically long story short - I went to turn on the computer to test the motor and the computer isn't booting right now - grrrr - LOL I think it's the motherboard - it was a little flakey before and I swapped a few components out to no avail... I'll have it replaced tonight and we'll see.... OK - without further ado - here's the latest pictures :)

Working on the motor mount / coupler - I think I got both to an acceptable "first machine" state :)











Here's a look at the set up of the computer and about where the machine will sit - I can tuck it back in that cubby behind it when not in use :)
(oh and in the end I cleaned up those wires) :)





Here's two videos of me testing (read that playing) with the motors :)

Playing with Y Axis

testing X and Y Motors



Ok - the machine is pretty much finished with the Z Axis assembly done and all the motors installed and working
I still need to tune them to make sure I'm cutting exact sizes...
Also the Dremel set up will be one of the first things I upgrade - probably to a trim router - but this seems to work pretty good so far









And here's a video of the cirlce I cut out :)

Cutting a Circle



Here's my first official piece (Peace) that I designed and cut! :) and the video of doing it (sped up 200%)



Cutting the Peace Sign



Ok! Finally an update!!! :) it's been a few weeks and I've been cutting a few things here and there and realized the Dremel isn't going to make the team... I know - I know everybody said it wouldn't - but I had to give it the chance :) it's just not powerful enough and I have to go really slow to get good cuts... So... after much research - I found a really good router to replace it... The Hitachi M12VC! I actually bought a factory reconditioned one and it's working great!



This router is awesome - and has really upgraded my machine a lot! - I will post video very soon of it working - until then here are some pictures to get you going :)