Here's the link to my thread.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8749
I have been at this for like 2.5 years. Many interuptions and a lot of learning. Still this is not easy and it is not simple. But it can be done. I feel like I knew nothing about being a machinist when I started. I now feel like I know enough to hold my own around here.
There is NO easy guide. I think my thread is one of the most complete and detailed threads available. It is not perfect. Is is not a total newbie's guide either. But it is pretty detailed and very specific on many things.
Someday I want to make it better, but time is the problem. Doing the best I can.
Here are the basics steps if you don't know them:
You need a mill. I suggest getting a mill that is already CNC capable but that's not where this thread is going.
Next you are going to need the following major components:
Servo or Stepper motors
A computer
Controller software (Mach3 / TurboCNC / EMC...etc.)
Parallel port break out / interface (Sound Logic & others)
Motor Drivers (Gecko, Xylotex & many others)
OBTW - There is a great thread on this site about a DIY servo driver
A control / electrical cabinet
Unregulated DC power supply for the motors
VFD (Variable frequency drive to run the main motor on your single phase 220 dryer or stove circuit, in most cases)
Misc wire, relays, switches, and terminal blocks
Several pounds of nuts & bolts
Several pounds of alum. & steel.
CAD software
Maybe CAM software. A lot of stuff can be "hand" coded.
I would approach it like this:
1.) Get the X-Y drives built first
2.) Get them running under CNC control
3.) Make the Z drive using the two axis machine you have now
4.) Finish up the limit switches & other items that are needed but not bare minimums.
Does that help? Is that more of what you were looking for. It's hard to figure out where everyone is starting from.
-jd