When did you build or convert your first CNC machine?

I was planning it before CNC zone, but after is when i really got into it and started

Did CNC Zone help?

For me CNCZone provided all the missing information I needed to complete my first router. I had so many questions and this formun popped up when I searched the internet for answers.

I spent weeks on CNCZone reading, absorbing, getting confused and then I decided to bite the bullet and make a machine. I am a member of a few forums and this site is run well, tolerant to newbies and provides great advice. The members are also keen to investigate new designs and methods and this keeps me coming back.

Thanks for a great site and I hope it continues to grow.

I was too looking for information on how to get started when I came across the zone. Did it help? I couldn't have done it without it. This and reading the Mach2 help file got me what I needed. It's funny to look back and see how puzzled I was about what a "drive" was and the difference between CAD, CAM and controller. I had a little experience with stepper motors and had built a "drive" or two before. But rails, block bearings, ball nuts, spindles, endmill, ballnose, and a zillion other terms and technologies were all learned here. Hey, THANKS!

JR

For me I would never have dreamed that I could build a CNC router until I came accross this site. I build and fly radio controlled air planes and that is what lead me to this. Originally I was going to build a foam cutter but when I seen the router my mind was made up quickly. Having a mechanical and electronic back ground has helped. The learning curve for the CNC part has been a ruff one. With out this site I could not have completed the project let alone get it to work.

Thanks everyone for your help.
Terry

I'm a newbie to the site, and I have not yet built my machine!

I've been dreaming about one for quite awhile, and I'm looking forward to being part of the community here.

-Jim

Ha.

I built 2 'finished' devices before finding the zone. Thank goodness. Since ive found the zone, I never finish anything... I just get smarter and smarter exponentially.

Thanks!

I'm just about to start a larger than average build.

Info/comments I found here helped test and confirm my planning and educated me in the areas I was lacking. Saved me money too...

Best thing about the zone is fact that people here understand what you're raving on about when you've aqquired a new part etc.. most people I know in the real-world think CnC stands for "Curry 'n Chips" :)

I'm a newbie to the site, and I have not yet built my machine!

I've been dreaming about one for quite awhile, and I'm looking forward to being part of the community here.

-Jim

Welcome aboard Jim!

Eric

Best thing about the zone is fact that people here understand what you're raving on about when you've aqquired a new part etc.. most people I know in the real-world think CnC stands for "Curry 'n Chips" :)


That's so true!
Eric

This forum is amazing.
There's a lot off nice and open people that are really helping other people to make real the dreams.
I am finishing my router machine and you guys are really helping
Thanks to all.
Hugo from Venezuela

This forum is amazing.
There's a lot off nice and open people that are really helping other people to make real the dreams.
I am finishing my router machine and you guys are really helping
Thanks to all.
Hugo from Venezuela


Have you any pictures of your machine?

Yes i do.
I am not a good carpenter, and harley understand electronics but when i get this machine running i will come out with something nicer. Its inspired in Joe's machine and y am learning a lot .
Motors and drivers will be arriving soon from Xylotex and CNC4PC.

Regards

I Just Couldn't Help Myself About This Site. It Is So Helpful For Me Who Is Just Begin My Career On Cnc Routers. Thanks And Wish This Beautiful Site Go On And On.

About 6 years ago I did some side work for a guy designing and cutting golf club heads. He provided me with a Minitech mill (not sure which model) to cut the heads for him to review and adjust. The guy went out of bussiness and had to get the mill back to offset his expenses. (wedge)

Anyway, after he took the mill I've been on the lookout for one but could never afford it. (wife, kids, dog, cats, etc..) So when I found this site, and saw hat could be done for a few hundred dollars I knew it was a natural fit.

So now I have a machine completely design in 3D and have started making the pieces. It takes a lot longer to make the physical pieces then it takes to desing them.

Once again, thanks CNC Zone. :banana:

I have been lurking on the zone for quite awhile now, I have asked alot of Questions and learned quite a bit. I have almost all of the parts I need to build my router and the wife is just about ready to take the bank card away LOL. Later today I will pick up the alluminum for my gantry and the project should start to look like something, I tell you I am getting tired of spinning my motors I WANT TO MAKE CHIPS! If I had not found cnczone I don't think I would have even got this far and I am thankful for all the help and patience of all the people here. I will start a build log when things start to come together for all to see. WAY TO GO CNCZONE!!

Rob :cheers:

In the process of making my first.... the zone has been invaluable research tool for me, most questions I have have been answered before so sifting through the forums has got me the info I needed. I know I should post a build log, but there isn't much to look at yet, once I get all three axis's in place and some kind of working order I'll put in a build log. No CAD drawings... its a make it up as I go along type project, of course "borrowing" some ideas from those who have posted before me. :D

Thanks everyone for your help.

Well, I started after finding the zone, but I had the idea before finding it, that is how I found it, I was looking for info on cnc routers etc. I have found tons of usefull info and am glad that this site exist to help all of us out.

well I'd be lying if I said I have but I have just joined this group this morning and the setup of the site and information in it are already invaluable I am in the process of putting together a camtronics stepper system right now. There are a few other sites that I was a member of and they weren't as informative as this plus you get real answers quick. not just a bunch of guys talking about the news. Thanks for the great info guys. jmg

good

wow was this a major thread bump?

anyways I plan to start my build this weekend and next week, hopefully getting all but the motors done.

I've been on the site for a short period, but before this I didn't know it was possible to build!

My build is in progress moving slowly, but it wouldn't be at all if not for this site and stumbling across Joe's machine on the net.

Jim

I've found this forum while searching for information on how to build my first CNC machine. I just got my steppers in the mail and am getting ready to start building my first CNC machine now.

Hah,
I voted wrong. I built a CNC foam cutter before finding the zone, and built a JGRO after finding the zone.

I should have voted for option "before".
Dave

My first hand made machine was a PCB Drilling Machine for less than $30,, All had made by devices of an old HP695 printer & an old CDRom driver & the software drivers which I had written by myself...
& woww, It worked at 1000 & 1000 PCBs...

Thanks CNCzone for gathering the CNCkids...
&
Thanks CNCkids for developing the CNCzone...

WISH YOU ALL HAVE GREAT PROJECTS
:wee: