Hi. I am new to this, and would like to know if anybody could show me the right direction for a plan for a meduim size cnc router. I would like to use a porter cable 1 3/4 horse. Maybe a surface size of approx. 3'x4' with 3 axes with a moving gantry. I'm looking to use alot of diff. materials for the construction...well As much as possible anyway. Thanks..

Welcome to the 'Zone! Have you had a look at the downloads section?

http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&file=viewcategory&cid=2

Might be a good place to start and get a good idea or 2. Some have many members building now - so there'd be loads of support!
Enjoy the Journey.
Jim

Sir,

If you will email me, I can send you pix of the 32 x 36 router which I have built. You can get some ideas from it.

jccinc-at-owc-dot-net

Regards,
Jack C.

You might want to look at www.data-cut.com

Thanks for the info. I am actually in search for specific directions and plans, but without the added cost of buying them. I want to put my money into the machine as much as possible. There are some great plans out there but not to specific for me as a newbie. I am a seasoned woodworker, and always looking for a good project, and I think this wood be one of those fun and challanging projects. I just need a good set of plans to work off from. Thanks again for the insight....Keep them coming...

Check out http://www.machinetoolcamp.com/

Thanks for the info. I am actually in search for specific directions and plans, but without the added cost of buying them. I want to put my money into the machine as much as possible. There are some great plans out there but not to specific for me as a newbie. I am a seasoned woodworker, and always looking for a good project, and I think this wood be one of those fun and challanging projects. I just need a good set of plans to work off from. Thanks again for the insight....Keep them coming...

With all do respect I believe that buy a good set of fully detailed plans it worth the money for at least two reasons.

1. Most of the plans that people charge for have been built tested and verified to work properly.

2. They are fully detailed in the process of construction on the cnc, saving you time and money because they have done all of the foot work for you.

That is just my personal experience on the issue.


Justin!!!

Check out the MechMate, plans are free, and they have a great forum to help you along:

http://www.mechmate.com/index.html

A 4x4' would be an easy size to build, and you could replace the X rails latter and expand it to 8'.

A feature of the MechMate is that all the motors, wires, switches are on the moving gantry. The table and x-rails are "dumb" - lengthening a table is relatively simple.