Hello from Slovenia!

I just started with my own CNC router and found this site full of good information. I will definetly post more when I got into trouble :)

Here's some photos of the frame I put together for the machine. I would like to build smaller router with 400x400mm working area.

Marko

Well here goes. I have been "lurking" on the site for some time now and I have been amazed at the diversity of approach to the building of cnc routers and the great solutions.
I retired from the sign industry about 3 years ago where we had one of the first Multicam 48 machines in the UK, together with a Pacer with a 4x4 bed both running on SignLab software.
I have developed an interest in building my own machine with 3' x 2' bed as I want to start making guitars and other stringed instruments.
As my pension turned out not to be the pot of gold that I was promised I am on a tight budget but I do have time to search out parts at the right price.
I would be grateful for realistic cost feed back from anyone that has built a machine in recent months.
On the plus side I can get most MDF/timber parts machined for me at minimal cost. Whilst on the subject of MDF, has anyone looked at high quality plywood that is available and that has a phenolic resin skin on both sides, more expensive I know but the long term gain must be worth it.
Well that's my first post, it didn't hurt a bit so I'll be back.

Hey all. I'm new to CNC actually haven't purchased it yet. I work in the testing feild mostly aviation parts. We do it all though. I have machined many things with manual mills and lathes but dont really have all the technical details yet. I'm looking for reference manuals and such on machine work in general but more towards the CNC side. The model I'm looking at right now is the supra knee machine by cncmasters with optional 4th axis. I dont have 3 phase to plug into so I'm limited.
I'm happy to have this forum and the info and experience you have here. Thanks
Doug

The model I'm looking at right now is the supra knee machine by cncmasters with optional 4th axis. I dont have 3 phase to plug into so I'm limited.
I'm happy to have this forum and the info and experience you have here. Thanks
Doug

Yes, I am also reading articles here at CNC Zone, as I am keen on constructing my own CNC from "scratch". I am in my planning stages, as it is good to think three times and measure four times before doing anything. As I am in no hurry it is okay.
If you need three phase power, you can always convert your single phase supply into three phase by using a transformer made for the purpose or using three single phase transformers with 1:1 ratio. Just ensure correct phase rotation and make sure the transformer(s) have adequate capacity for the load. Of course you should consult a certified electrician for safety if you are not sure what you are doing.
Thanks, Good Luck. Prosper.

Thanks Prosper, Well seeing how your in the starting, planning stages, and know more about the systems in use, you might check into the motors used by Segway. I'm not sure what is comonly used in these machines, but have crossed some threads talking about the motors. But I can vouch that these little motor have plenty of torque, and are smooth as far as shifting direction. They are also redundant as in two motors for one. However they are 72 vdc... Just a thought.... Sometimes you can find the best stuff in odd places. Good luck on your cnc system

Doug

Hi Doug,
Thanks for your kind reply.
Yes, I suppose there are many different types of stepper motors available, and well suited for what we want to do.
However, for safety, I would personally prefer to use lower voltage rated stepper motors and then use a raised voltage in the controller for stepping. This has been suggested by many experienced persons. Because the voltage to the stepper motor is pulsed, it won't damage the stepper motor coils by overvoltage (within reasonable limits). Extra low voltage is safer, (I think) and there is no legislation involved in using extra low voltage.
Legally, anything above 32 volts AC or 48 volts DC needs a certified electrician to wire up and there are other safety issues involved. Although I am a certified Electrical Fitter here in Queensland, Australia, I am cautious about designing or constructing machines using mains voltage. I personally think that there is adequate power and torque (for hobby use) utilising stepper motors and circuits below 48 Volts DC. However, please understand that what I am saying is only personal preferances and I am not disputing anyone who has a different theory or philosophy. In fact, I do not want to open a can of worms or have any debate with anyone concerning this. I will be happy to hear from you whenever you have news about your CNC machine running...or anything interesting.
Thanks
Regards
Prosper

Sounds good to me... Like I said I dont have a clue how they manage it. I plan to buy mine functioning...I hope ... well. I'm more interested in the parts I have to build than the machine that does it. Down the road I'm sure I will search for better... Isn't that how it always is. I do have a great deal to learn about getting my ideas to the work piece. These cad cam programs may become a handfull, As of now I'm leaning to the bobcadv21.. I've heard good things. Thats all I have to go on. User freindly is the key for the next year or so. If you post a thread on your build, please make sure to let me know so I can follow along.
Thanks
Doug

Are there any Bridgeport cnc retrofit people in or around Nashville Tn.?

Jeffrey

Hi
I wrote about the great waxes we are cutting in jewellery on our Roland CNC , but somehow my post ended up at delf software co. and never got posted on this site? Do you not have any goldsmths on this site or what happened?
regards
eve
:confused:

Hi everyone this is my first post here. I have joined a while back and I am interested in cnc routing for wood and aluminum. I am still doing a lot of reading on these forums and searching web sites for ideas. I have a few parts gathered
up I am still pretty much confused with it all hopefully sometime in the future I will have it figured out. LOl.
I have built wood lathes from scratch and also have converted an old metal lathe to a wood lathe, with a mechanical bed. Hopefully i can create some kind of contraption to do this cnc machine. Anyhow I am a heavy equipment operator by trade woodworker by hobby and inventor by heart, who Knows

Greetings,

CNCZone is a great forum with an incredible amount of activity. Hope to share experience and learn a bit.

My main gig is developing training for automated manufacturing. Mostly interested in small CNC machines and robots.

See you around.

Hi from the wet coast, BC Canada!

Joined a while ago, just been lurking and aborbing all the info I can so I can make an informed decision. I plan on buying a CNC machine in the next year or so to cut stainless sheets up to 18ga for cabinet making. There are sooo many choices/options!

Concidering a Multicam or similar but wondering about the quality of a plasma cut.

PS. I was told by a friend that runs a several forums the 1/2 the peolpe that join forums do so to be notified about updates and never post.

Dave

Cami , I dont know about the plazma cnc tools, but I can say that the plasma torch I use at work is not all it's made out to be... Sure it cuts well through stainless but it also breaks down a lot. It's not a junk machine, ..actually made by Miller, which is well known in the trade. I think it is just a heavy maint machine... Cutting sheets is a big work area??? no? 4X8 Sheets?

Hi All...just geting info. and learning more ....about subject

Well I'm here now...So hi and welcome Wolf21. What is it that your interested in?

Hi everyone. I used to work at a fab shop programming & running the ESAB burn tables. I have since become a AS/400 programmer. I was thinking about building a same table and ran up on this site. Lots of great info.
Thanks,
David Clark

I just wanted to say: "Thank you all for creating such a great website"!

Cami , I dont know about the plazma cnc tools, but I can say that the plasma torch I use at work is not all it's made out to be... Sure it cuts well through stainless but it also breaks down a lot. It's not a junk machine, ..actually made by Miller, which is well known in the trade. I think it is just a heavy maint machine... Cutting sheets is a big work area??? no? 4X8 Sheets?

thanks Martin 007

I do understand that the plasma torches require the electrodes replaced very often but what kind of repairs are you having to do? I basicaly have the choice of water jet, laser, punch press, or a plasma CNC table. At this time all are way to costly except the plasma table but what concerns me is the edge cut quality on the plasma since we manufacture commercial and retail products. I know I need a good one that will take multigas to get a good cut, I just need to know how good it will do.

All I need is to cut a 4x4 sheet down to pieces as small as 1"x2" or as big as 23"x15".

Dave
Crystsl Air Marketing Inc. (CAMI)

Cami I dont know what the trouble has been...They cover it in the day shift. More than tips, as it has been sent out 3 times in 8 months. As for the cuts, if it is done on a smooth moving platform in stainless they should be very nice. I have only had trouble with aluminum and I think that was because it was moved to fast or not enough power for the thickness. I would ask your dealer for a demonstration, and maybe get some background info on the tourch to be used.

I worked in a small machine shop in the 1960's and have recently gotten interested in putting together a small hobby machine shop. Some things sound interesting. Especially CNC control.
I do have a question concerning mills. What is the difference between a mill and a mill/drill. Harbour Freight has a micro mill/drill which seems affordable. Is this something that could be converted to CNC?
Thanks
Dan

Hey Dan What sort of hobby work are you doing? I'm going to be designing and building heli parts and units

Hi,

I am just trying to learn more about CNC. I would like to build a plasma table that could also double as normal torch table. Still trying to figure out how to follow a black line.

Karel

Hello 2 years ago I started a small machine shop in my garage and so far I have not had much luck getting work. I have a full time job and do a little machine work on the side. I have worked as a machinist and tool and cutter grinder for about 15 years. I have a Jones & Shipman 10x27 OD ID grinder Cincinnati #2 tool and cutter grinder 11" rockwell lathe 16" south bend lathe. American Machine milling machine. And two weeks ago Bought a bridgeport series 2 boss 6 cnc milling machine early 80s model that runs and powers up and shows no errors on the contrl panel. Spindel runs good the air controled spindle speed changer works fine. I have both operating and programing manuals and have followed start up procedures but still cannot Jog or move any of the 3 axis all limit switches are working except the top two on the quill They test ok with a meter but when you trip them by hand the do not trigger the limit switch on the control panel .Any Ideas on how to fix this besides a retro fit.

Dave,
I am curious as to what finish the cabinets would need to be? Plasma cutting will leave a ragged edge and discoloration to the stainless steel, the discoloration is the hardest to remove.
In our shop here at work, they do a lot of stainless steel for research projects and dismissed the plasma cutter because of the need for additional machining
needed. We do have the large saws to do the cutting.
To show you the lengths some professors go, one bought a CNC welder for stainless steel pipe and tubing to weld caps on to pipe to make pressure vessels. The weld is smooth, fine, pressures tests passed with flying colors and very neat to watch!
We do a lot of work that goes out of the US and have to meet foreign standards for all we ship.
Fred

Dave,
I just remembered something. Go do a Google for 4 Guys fire apparatus in Meyersdale, PA. They make fire apparatus with stainless bodies and I believe they do all fabrication in house.
I now about them as Meyersdale was my mother's hometown and a second cousin used to work there. When visiting, I try and make a stop there as the work they do is very fascinating.

Fred

Hey Dan What sort of hobby work are you doing? I'm going to be designing and building heli parts and units

I'd like to try some radial engines and maybe work up from there but yesterday may have changed my options since I seem to have some major plumbing issues (read as..just about the price of a pretty good lathe and mill).
Dan

:wave:Hello, i like very much this area. I intend to build a cnc but for me is a slow process - financial reasons! For now, just learning and looking for salvaged parts from printers, copy machines, etc. Of course, i will post my project here when is ready.

I build allot of machinery. I have experience in CNC centers, lathes, EDM and LASER. I have wanted to post several times but the advice that others give is usually sufficient but if ever I can offer my advice I will in the spirit of sharing.

I am working on some controllers and motor drivers right now and am incorporating as many features as I can in them to the aim of making powerful motor control solutions. at least for me :)

I will also make them available to everyone else should they want them.
I would post a picture but I don’t quite know how to do that right now.

here is a picture to go with the above post

I like the controllers from fromorbit.com and pminmo.com , because are easy to build by a newbie

hi guys i'm what you call a pre newbee.i have been a sculptor for over twenty years and recently started working with three-d software(lightwave)
i have kinda rigid the sculptures in the modelling software and created paterns in photoshop then used a projector to make full scale paterns-(alot of paper) then from the patterns i bent 1/4 inch rod and made a litteral wire frame.after i would lath it then spray urathane foame and sculpt'. surprizingly with thirty foot of sculpture it's a pretty acurate procces, but and it's a big but i feel like a dinosur. i was thinking of building a cnc machine but would like to experament first with some motors.to me i thinck i can build the frame well so i will leave that for last. my bigest question is can i use an stl file or dxf which i can export from lightwave and is there software that i can run a vertual cnc ?mind you i know as much about electronics as our president knows diplomacy.all so what is g code?is that what you kids call "gangsta language"?--see i told you i know nothing.if you kids can teach an old f@#t like me you could do anything

:drowning: here I am havent had a day off in three ninety days

darn Manufacturing ...... lol Hi all I am Brian





:)

Dan Forget the plumbing.....You can always use buckets.... get the toys!!!! Ha well I have a link to a forum where this guy is building his own turbines. Using not much more than basic shop...or less. If you want it I'll find and post it for you.

Here is a pic of a heat sink I made...Pretty basic, but with the CNC with the 4th axis I should be able to really improve on such things

Hi, I am Andrew, and I recently became interested in CNC machines. There is an overwhelming amount of information in this forum, but it all looks like good stuff. I've been playing with the idea of making my own DIY CNC machine, something along the lines of a wood router, but I have no idea where to start. I am sure I will learn alot here. Thanks.
-Andrew :)

Teletype for punching tapes for CNC is where I started, having watched the industry grow up to where you can look at parts with a cameras & scanners to make CNC moves has been quite a ride!! Now it is great fun to machine the old way with hand cranks & peddles!!

Hi boys,

I am a mechanical engineer and new to CNC DIY.
Really impressive what you guys have built both mechanical as electrical.

Jerry

Ok, first and last post most likely. CNC is one of my 57 hobbies. Photo and r/c take first place. I have steppers heavy enough to run a dremal. I'd have liked to do my own software with VB.net or C++.net, but of course nobody will share some code for less than $400 to get me started. So the whole thing just kinda sits there, and I just go to another hobby.
Radio control is pure hobby, photo is part hobby and part pro work. Or as I like to say it, sometimes I shoot wildlife and sometimes I shoot wild life. :-)

GaryR

Gues I should chime in. I am a student at Focus Hope machinist training institute here in Detroit MI. After machinist training I hope to get into their Pre-engineering course and then go onto Manufacturing engineering school.

I'm a Electronics technician that somehow got moved into maintenance at a factory that made CD's and DVD's. Made them, printed, boxed, wrapped and shipped them. If a machine stops working, I, or a co-worker tries to fix them.

About three years ago, we got a mill and a lathe. I was all over them like tan on a lifeguard. I was absolutely fascinated by these machines. I did work with a couple of guys who were machinests in their own right, who were more then happy to give me tips on how to do things. I learned a lot, didn't break a lot of tools, although I had a lot of trouble parting with the lathe. But I learned and my parts started to be something I could be happy with. then about 6 months ago another company bought us and decided to close my plant. I stayed till the bitter end, which was last Friday. I start a new job with a different company Monday.

With my severance package I can get a couple table top machines. A mill and a lathe. I'm just looking for suggestions. One rule of thumb i go by is you get what you pay for. Buy cheap, get cheap. I don't want cheap. That being said, I'm not rich either. In fact, I'm not even in the neighborhood of richness. Actually, that neighborhood is probably in the next county over. lol

I'm making the transition from manual machines to CNC(fadal) at work. I'm just making set ups right now, but want to learn programming. My work uses Gibbs 04 and there are no schools around here that teach it, so I'm going to have to learn on my own I guess.
Hopefully I can get some help from this forum if I run into problems.

later.

I am one of the non-posters, I am a simi retired shop teacher. I have a 3000 sq ft. shop with 200 amps. no power problems here.
a 1952 J head bridgeport, a new 12X36 lathe and lots of welding equipment. I just built my first 3 phase power supply, for the mill and an old 3 phase table saw.

If any one is interested I am selling a small bench mill, 24 inch by 6 inch table with about 6 inch of Z. location north San diego, Ca.
post to jona@cox.net, if you are interested

I'm totally new to cnc. Zero knowledge. Barely know what a cnc router does. I do have some woodworking skill (very little), and lots of power tools. I'm an eye surgeon by trade. Curiosity is the reason I'm here. I just bought a set of plans from solsylva and look forward to picking everyone's brains for advice. My dream is to retire from surgery, and get into robotics. I figure cnc is not a bad place to start since it's not overly complex, and the machine I'll build will help with prototyping for my future projects.

I am another one of those people who spends a lot of time reading entries on this forum but have never before posted. I am another newbie to the world of CNC.

A little personal history. I am a retired geologist with many dormant hobbies. Over 10 years ago one of those hobbies, antique car restoration, was awakened. I am slowly working on a 1927 Studebaker. As part of this restoration process I began searching for parts. Found a few, and also a source for reproduction items. Before I had purchased all of the parts I needed the fellow making them quit due to health issues. Ultimately I took over the business. I am a self-taught lathe and mill operator; own a logan lathe and a bridgeport mill. Due to health issues I can no longer manually make the parts fast enough to fill my customers orders. Thus enters the interest in CNC machining.

I have purchased a few CNC related items such as stepper motors and linear rails from Ebay. Also purchased a small bench top mill from Micromark. My goal is to convert it to CNC. I continue to read entries on this forum and search the old postings for information pertinent to my quest.

I am open to any and all suggestions, comments, advice, etc regarding the conversion of a small "Micromark" type mill. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Steven

After a couple of weeks reading and getting a feel of how it is done I have eventually started pressing keys. I have recently finished a table top router with the intention of producing simple flat panels from thin plywood or soft metal plus some simple foam patterns for things such as spoked wheels ready for use in casting in metal. Mostly things will be repetition, perhaps a dozen at a time so the idea of a CNC machimne is very attractive. I am at present beginning to come to grips with Mach 2 and if anyone can put me in touch with a macro for machining wheels I would be very grateful.
John (In East of England)

hello,
i am here in athens,
i have a small lathe (400mm) milling machine
i use NINOs french programme
i am going to use servo in state of step by step motor
and i have probleme to send messages
so hope you can receive this one

Hi all

New to do DIY CNC mysef. Have some general knowlage as my brother is a goldsmith and uses a Roland MDX 40. My main interests are model truck building, hence the need for a CNC mill/router (not sure witch yet). Am fairly proficiant with Turbocad. Am a retiered earthmoving machine technician with fair ammout of machine shop experiance.

Have bought 1.8Nm steppers and 4.2A drivers form Motioncontol and am currently building the power supply and box. As experiment am builing a wooden router but am having second thoughts on the accuracy posible.

Guess that´s the bulk for now.

Hey yall,

Just another lurker. I first got interested in cnc to do pcb engraving. My primary hobby being electronics. I was rather sucessful and made some nice boards but the noise and detail just don't cut it. I've gone back to chemical etching having found a reliable laser transfer film that does a great job. But I just love using the cnc mill for drilling out those circuit boards. Saves a fortune by not breaking drill bits. I do plan to build a cnc router sometime soon. I currently have a Sherline mill with a Xylotex 4 axis setup using the DeskCNC software and serial interface. Works real well. I do enjoy reading about what others are doing and how they overcome various problems. Okay I'm going back behind the lurker's curtain for now.

Thanks
Richard
Austin, TX

IM A 3RD YEAR APPRENTICE FROM AUSTRALIA, I RUN A INTERGREX 30Y AND MANY OKUMA MACHINIES, I STILL HAVE ALOT TO LEARN AND I FIND THIS SITE TO BE VERY USEFULL. IT IS INDEED THE ULTIMATE MACHINIST COMMUNITY!!!:rainfro:

Hello all,

Nice informative site here. Seems to be lots of great experience/advice to share. As for myself.........Just a stupid machinist. ;) I've been around the trade for 15 years now, making plastic injection molds for 10+, and five years of swiss turning. I work in a small tool & die shop where we do our own little thing.

Thanks,
Mitch

I am a beginner at CNC. I use Bobcad V21 and MaxNC10 milling machine. I was cutting on wax to prove the designs and before I could cut metal the mill started acting up. I changed two x axis, adjusted the Y and Z axis, changed a motor and still could not get it working right. Sent it back to MAXnc for them to readjust. In the meantime I have a deadline for a job coming up fast and need a metal medallion, about 3"x 3" cut. I could use pewter or Alum. I have the G code from Bobcad and I wonder if anyone out there could help. If I miss this deadline I will loose the job. HELP!
Nancy Ayotte

Greetings;
I am a retired(disabled) machinist. Only have partial use of my right hand and recovery is coming along slowly, so I probably won't do a lot of posting. Started out working in heavy fabrication and did a lot of different jobs. During a layoff I was offered a job in a job shop running large CNC mills. Have run a lot of Mazaks and later Fadals. Am not yet able to participate but enjoy seeing what others are doing.
Vigilance,
Floyd

I've only recently joined this site in order to expand upon what can only be called limited knowledge in this field. I make candy for a living and am trying to incorporate machinery into the fabrication side of this process. I have a four axis scara robot cell that was previously used to make cell phones. I have a Baldor 8 axis legacy board which I was able to connect to the Copley Amps and IAI actuators in the cell. Now I need to add a few steppers for metering gear pumps to begin application testing. I joined this site to further my understanding of motor and driver integration, epsecially the stepper side of this problem. I figure some quiet reading before asking questions should minimize the annoyance factor.

Hi Steven, i am currently trying to convert an axminster X1 mill to cnc, i am using 1amp stepper motors and i have made my own driver boards.
I am able to drive the table in both axis X & Y but i am having great difficulty with the Z because the motor has to lift the whole milling head. I am very interested how you will be arranging your Z axis. It is nice to know that i am not alone.
Regards
Clive ( UK, 50 miles from London)

Hi Gary, i hope this isnt your last post,we have a lot in common. I am also 59, i make r/c cars and boats, generally with chainsaw engines in.I have completed my second year C++ course with credits and i am currently attempting to write my own program to control my mini milling machine that i am converting to cnc.
Please dont give up, give the software a go.
Regards
Clive UK

in france you have ninoscfao list of the users of ninos very active list specially for electronics and modelling

in france you have ninoscfao list of the users of ninos very active list specially for electronics and modelling

Here I am, Here I am! But I'm not sure where here is, or what I am. Oh, but I do remember why I'm here.....several web searchs trying to figure out machining some gummy Al and the reliability of re-manned VMCs kept leading me here; figured I just as well join if google keeps sending me here anyway! Great forums, BTW. I got some great advice on the Al, and the reman Fadal too.

I was surprised that having my quest start with Haas machines, my VMC thread didn't get more envigorating, but perhaps everyone here is too well behaved [I haven't even been ostracized for not looking at the heavy weights, this app being production (nuts) ]! :D

Hi CNCZONE,
My name is 3d George, and I have been asked to introduce myself. I'm a semi-retired, 63 year old tool & die maker of 40 years. I have 30 years cnc programming and operating many varied cnc controls, macining centers, and lathes. I have an extensive background in Fanuc controls, including 5M, 6M, 6MB2, 10M, 11M, and 12M. Others include IBM, Hurco, and Allen Bradley. For 15 years I did extensive work with 4axis machining. Programming was an especially strong part of my work. I have extensive experience in Macro B & C, and 4th axis programming. I also wrote and implemented a complete conversational programming system, including speed, feed, and material selection for a 6MB2 contolled 4 axis 26 x 54 Pratt & Whitney vertical machining center. I have a strong welding background, specializing in stainless steel, aluminum, and all die steels. Also have a strong background in fixture design and manufacture, and extensive die steel heat treating. That's pretty much it, hope I didn't come off sounding like I'm bragging.
I'm looking forward to exchanging ideas with others in this forum. Thanks for letting me introduce myself.
Till later,
3d George
gsfetcho@sbcglobal.net

I am a beginner at CNC. I use Bobcad V21 and MaxNC10 milling machine. I was cutting on wax to prove the designs and before I could cut metal the mill started acting up. I changed two x axis, adjusted the Y and Z axis, changed a motor and still could not get it working right. Sent it back to MAXnc for them to readjust. In the meantime I have a deadline for a job coming up fast and need a metal medallion, about 3"x 3" cut. I could use pewter or Alum. I have the G code from Bobcad and I wonder if anyone out there could help. If I miss this deadline I will loose the job. HELP!
Nancy Ayotte
Hi,
I'm 3d George. I have a TAIG micromill controlled by Mach3. I may be able to help. My e-mail is gsfetcho@sbcglobal.net. Write and I'll see if I can help.
Till later,
3d George

Isle of Man

Just a draftsman, some programming, electronic hobbyest, r/c fan, and an all around tinker. Love to build stuff hopefully will be able to build first machine this fall, must build shop to put it in, current one too small. That is my story and I am sticking to it if my wife asks.;-) Great site and lots of information and great advice.

Thanks
Barry

I'm an ex-drafter/designer turned Computer Programmer. I'm building a 3-axis machine with the help of a book by a Cannuck named Geoff Williams. I've got my boards built, except I still need one more motor driver chip. The two boards I have completed have the coil windings energized when I power the boards, but for the moment I'm having trouble making them turn with the software.

If anyone has any specs for these little airpax 82227/B82359 steppers, that would help me make sure I have the coils wired correctly, but I can't find anything, so I'm guessing. I might just end up buying some new motors complete with documentation, since I'll need bigger ones for my final design anyway.

BTW: I'm in Denver, CO.

:rainfro:

Hi all
Soaking it up like a sponge. Hope to squeeze out a machine soon.

How do I post a new Thread?

hello all ,
gosh!!!!! i just CANT write a simple hello...erased this 5 time now i got lots of questions ,i know about machining (been machining for about 10-11 years) but i dont know much about building cnc machines ,or the power of a stepper motor or the controlers,other than what i have read here and on other sites,better to not clutter up this with with all my questions ,still searching to see if i can find the answers that have already been posted here,so as not to go in circles over and over asking the same question that im sure have been answered already!!


there i go again rambling on better quit while im ahead....

Hi All.
Just been lurking and reading for a while. I am slowly gathering all the stuff needed to build the jgro cnc table. Already have a Xylotex 3 axis board and steppers, I just need more time. Too many other things going on in life to devote the time I would like to devote to CNC.
I will post some pics when I get to the point of actually building.

John

Erkiwi You go to the general forum list...Which is at the top left, ...the ultimate machinist community. Then pick the general topic you want ...for instance.... General Metal Working Machines Once that is open you'll see start a thread or start a new topic...

Just arrived. Looking for information to upgrade my SHARP with an older Millpower 2 axis CNC. Machine's tight, but the old OS and software are way old. CNC's very nicely, but system can't except G-Code or DWG/DXF files everything must be programmed in manually.

Anyone got any ideas on the way to go on this, a new Millpower system looks like 10K. I'd like to get in for less than that.

A Newby! Just purchased a RF-31 Mill/Drill, now need to learn everything!
Thanks to Boosted & RLC for questions answered.

I was wondering if anyone has built the "Workshop Bot", based on the book by Geoff Williams. I like the size and the frame design, and but the electronics needs to be updated. I was thinking some servo's from http://www.homeshopcnc.com/page4.html , with the Geckodrive.
So is there anyone out there with some guidance.

Thanks for your time.

I was wondering if anyone has built the "Workshop Bot", based on the book by Geoff Williams. I like the size and the frame design, and but the electronics needs to be updated. I was thinking some servo's from http://www.homeshopcnc.com/page4.html , with the Geckodrive.
So is there anyone out there with some guidance.

Thanks for your time.
I'm a bit of a beginner myself, but I am building a Machine based on Geoff Williams book. The issue is of course primarily finances, but I have built the circuit boards as described in the book. I'm not sure why you say the electronics needs updated, but as far as I know, the design is functional. I still need one more L298 chip to finish my third board, and the two boards I have finished have not yet moved a motor, but I think it is either an interface problem or a motor coil wiring problem. I have no specs for the motors, so I have made an educated guess as to how they should be wired. What I get when I power up the boards is energized motor coils, showing that power is getting through the circuit to the motors, but I can't seem to make them move with the software...yet.

I'm probably going to build another set of driver boards, and on the second set I want to put a connector in to utilize the 'motor enable' feature of the chip and software. That is a pretty simple modification. I'm also going to do my own design for the table. I have no space for a setup like his.

I did a search on the site, and found that, blfuller123, under "My first cnc router", is in the middle of building his version based on the same book.

It look pretty sweet, so far. Nice pic's.

Good luck on your design.

I will be out of touch for a week or so. Work is getting in the way of my life.

I will check in again in a week.

Best Regards to All.

Hi All,

Thanks for the encouragement to participate !

QUESTION
I stopped everything inkjet related until I evaluate costs of using vinyl as material to be cutted thru a plotter and etched with FeCl common procedure.

Tracks come printed directly from the drawing on adhesive paper (like in signs) The idea came from a friend, guess the forum already know about it, isn't it ?

Bests,

Torno

Quoted from a private message from .AU:
Not too sure I've heard about this, sounds interesting. Would you still get the resolution of a printer ?

REPLY:
Yes , for sure, gets the same resolution as any std digital cutter can.
Guess that the core question should be where get the cheaper cost.

The friend that told me about that speaks of $1.50 per medium PCB and that's is cheaper of what I pay for pre-sensitized FR4 boards.

Should be assumed that self time is not counting as long that FeCl can 'eat' the vinyl if not paying enough attention to the etching process.

Here is Buenos Aires , ARG (14,000,000 pop) so with a fraction of people out there running their own 'cutting services ' it's possible to get better rates for vinyl cutting.

The best of a vinyl system for the hobbist should be that can be used any software using vectors (Bezier curves) i.e. COREL can do the 'printer output' (plotter) bypassing the process of UV light to burn presensitized boards of 'ironing' a transfer in case of using toner transfer method (most common for DIYers).



Hope getting better prices from elsewhere otherwise in the meantime I'd order FR4 from Farnell nevertheless Peeling off the cover of the vinyl material will get the image 'ready to be etched' That in turn should be the core interest
of using a cutter instead of a photoplotter (or toner transfer)


I was looking thru the list of users and was shocked to see that 3/5th or more of the members have ZERO posts. :eek:

I'd like to say WELCOME to all the new members, and to the old members that haven't posted.

I'd also like to extend an offer for you all to chime in and say hullo, mayhaps tell us what you do, how you're involved in CNC etc. We'd love to hear from you!! :D

(group)

'Rekd

Very good point! I'll think about it. Mayhaps something in the logo or title or somewhere insinuating that it's for Professionals and Beginners alike! A place to find answers and get different opinions.

Thanks for the tip

'Rekd

I figured I'd chime in too. Thanks for appealing to the new comers.

I did make a post about a design concept in the linear motion forum for using a centerline mounted single gear rack for a cnc router, but 74 views and a week later, not one response.

Im not sure if I posted in the wrong area or if I didnt explain my idea well enough. Hopefully its a concept with some merit and Im just unlucky on feedback.

Anybody care to throw me a bone and provide some advice here?

Duce

I figured I'd chime in too. Thanks for appealing to the new comers.

I did make a post about a design concept in the linear motion forum for using a centerline mounted single gear rack for a cnc router, but 74 views and a week later, not one response.

Im not sure if I posted in the wrong area or if I didnt explain my idea well enough. Hopefully its a concept with some merit and Im just unlucky on feedback.

Anybody care to throw me a bone and provide some advice here?

Duce
I just went and read your other post. I assume that you would be using a pair of guide rails of some kind on each side, and the rack in the middle. My only reservation would be that if your guide rails are misaligned, or your bearings not good, you could end up with some binding. I suppose this issue exists for everyone at some level, but it is the one thing that would concern me about doing what you're talking about. I've just finished building my circuit boards, need to test everything still. Then I will be deciding exactly how I'm going to build my table and gantry. I would be interested in keeping aprised of your decision/results.

I was looking thru the list of users and was shocked to see that 3/5th or more of the members have ZERO posts. :eek:

I'd like to say WELCOME to all the new members, and to the old members that haven't posted.

I'd also like to extend an offer for you all to chime in and say hullo, mayhaps tell us what you do, how you're involved in CNC etc. We'd love to hear from you!! :D

(group)

'Rekd

I am a new member and have not posted. Why because I do not want to ask ar say something dumb. I am new to the cnc works and am not having fun with it. I am running Bobcad on a digirout machine.

That is my story and I am going to stick to it.

Gary

I was looking thru the list of users and was shocked to see that 3/5th or more of the members have ZERO posts. :eek:

I'd like to say WELCOME to all the new members, and to the old members that haven't posted.

I'd also like to extend an offer for you all to chime in and say hullo, mayhaps tell us what you do, how you're involved in CNC etc. We'd love to hear from you!! :D

(group)

'Rekd
yeah i'm trying to keep the zero post thing going as long as i can.........wait a minute....this does'nt count does it?
DOH!
i'm still learnoing my way to spell and cad/cam stuff gued.
i gots me one of those micromachining laser werkstations with resolution to 1/10th micron.
it sure is purty!
i gotta learns me some stuff about cad so i comes here evry once ina while to gander at this here infomercial bout stuff.
thanky fer lettin me squat my brain in cyberspace.
brok lee

I just wanted to say hello and thanks for the welth of info. I bought my first CNC just waiting for the delivery in a month or so I am very excited. I started off with a compucarve but was not very impressed so I am moveing up to a better product I hope.

I blame rodm... he posted a link to cnczone on another forum and I stepped into his trap.

Initially I thought it was crazy to even attempt building a cnc machine but slowly I am learning and making sense of things. I hope to build a cnc project myself eventually.

Hi Rekd
I am 50 with virtually no cnc training and have been thrown in at the deep end on a bridgeport interact 2 i had a weeks very sketchy training with a bloke who was leaving, so if in the future i ask some really stupid basic questions please be tolerant, the old mental gears are a bit rusty
Hobby81

Good Day Guys
We are here we read and learn when we are ready and experienced enough we come in to the game in mean time teach us more
thanks and regards
excellent site
christos

Thanks for getting back to me ChiefBraincloud,

You understood my idea exactly, flaws included. Binding could become an issue, but the question is how much more than a ballscrew if at all.

I cant help but wonder why this is not more popular considering the cost savings. The tough part seems to be gearing down the motor and putting on a tension device to keep the pinion in full contact with the rack.

Maybe this belongs back in the linear motion forum where I started it Id really like to see what some of the seasoned vets have to say.

Thanks

duce00

How do I get permission to post a question? I am an old member, but never posted. Now I have some questions. I have a SouthWestern Industries Trak DPM with AGE3 and the DNC drip feed option. They have offered me an upgrade to their SMX3 with a USB port but claim that I can only hook up a mouse and keyboard to the USB(type2) port. If I want to buy their 245mb memory stick and have the RJ45 jack activated then for $745. they will alter the software to enable it. However I don't want the networking, only the ability to input a large program from a USB 1 GB common memory stick. Is there a way to enable this without spending $745? Thanks.

Hello,

I am a new member. Just bought a 5 X 12 shopbot. Does anyone have 3d carving files they would share. When I get good enough I will share mine. The programing is harder than building.

Hi;
I just discovered this site a few days ago as a result of a search for info on CNC routers (duh, Really?). I've been an amateur woodworker for many years, but I've just started training to take over for our elderly pattern and mould maker where I work (yes, we still make patterns the old fashioned way. Our patterns are fairly simple, and it costs less than farming them out). We often need to make certain mould parts out of Polypropylene sheet, and traditional methods don't lend themselves to this, so we farm that out. I started thinking about the possibility of building a machine to do this ourselves to possibly save a little money, but more importantly, to get them faster . We also make certain parts out of aluminum as well.
I've been reading a lot of posts, following some links, and have soaked up quite a bit of knowledge in the past few days. I think I would like to build a small (18-24 inches square or so) 3 axis machine using a trim router to get some experience and test cut a few of the shapes we use to prove the feasability of doing this. It needs to be able to do some simple 3-D work in plastic (concave curves). I've been looking at the Solsylva plans and thought perhaps something like the 17 x 20 dual leadscrew machine might be a good first project. I want to build my own machine first, and use it to prove the concept to the company, maybe leading to the building of a better quality machine, or even the purchase of one. All that being said, I think it would just be an interesting project on it's own. Any thoughts or suggestions, especially about the choice of a first machine, would be welcomed.

How do I get permission to post a question? I am an old member, but never posted. Now I have some questions. I have a SouthWestern Industries Trak DPM with AGE3 and the DNC drip feed option. They have offered me an upgrade to their SMX3 with a USB port but claim that I can only hook up a mouse and keyboard to the USB(type2) port. If I want to buy their 245mb memory stick and have the RJ45 jack activated then for $745. they will alter the software to enable it. However I don't want the networking, only the ability to input a large program from a USB 1 GB common memory stick. Is there a way to enable this without spending $745? Thanks.

Well, it is indeed sad to find that when you buy a proprietary machine, you are stuck with the cost of upgrading. This has always been the problem with the integration of electronics into mechanical devices. That is the reason why it is important to check the kind of electronic system and make an informed decision before purchase. I try to avoid the purchase of any proprietary brand computers because of this problem. The main thing is to find out more about what is in your machine, and ask someone on this forum about whether it can be upgraded with common or generic parts. For example, you can upgrade the graphics card on most computers if you know what slot it has (AGP or PCIE) and the amount of resolution you need etc. Of course if you have an onboard graphics, then you cannot upgrade.

Hi everyone,
I just joined a few days ago, but have been away from my computer. I am a retired teacher who has the hobby of repairing and restoring old clocks and also trying to make miniature steams engines.. I have been using a Sherline lathe and mill and have noticed where more and more hobbyists are going to using CNC. Therefore I find it necessary to read and listen to the "experts" on a forum like this so that I too may become familiar with this format. Needless to say being a real novice, I will need all the help I can get if I want to update my lathe and mill to this type of system. ---------Ray Zdan

Still reading and Planning stages. I joined not that long ago because I was a long time lurker. Decided to join the more I understood to what was being discussed. No prior knowledge before this. This site has helped me a lot in understanding CNC.

David Steels Sosylva is the CNC I am building right now. Just about to assemble it in a few weeks.
Will post a picture when completed. I will look for advice about controllers when I get to that stage.
This site has been a huge help.
Thanks
Al Cuthbertson
Victoria B.C.

Hi
I'm a retired auto mechanic trying to learn a new hobby maybe trade.
I bought a used very little Grizzly combo lathe.mill. After a few
burnt end mills and a small pile of scrape metal I decided I need to do
this right, so I am looking for help. I understand how the machines work,
but not the nuances of tool use, feeds, speeds ETC.
I was looking for classes in the NYC NJ area but have not found any.
More of basic turning and milling than CNC right now.
Maybe someone could steer me in the right direction.
Thanks Ernie

Another french here ! i'm in the construction of my cnc 3/4 axes and it is interesting to look at what the other people do ... but the language is not the same , it is the reason of my "nopost" !

Hello all. My name is Brad I am a CNC Programmer for a small company in Missouri. I have been working with wood routers for about 10 years, but I have a strong background in manual and cnc metal working. Looking forward to spending time going through several of the threads here.

Hi
I'm a retired auto mechanic trying to learn a new hobby maybe trade.
I bought a used very little Grizzly combo lathe.mill. After a few
burnt end mills and a small pile of scrape metal I decided I need to do
this right, so I am looking for help. I understand how the machines work,
but not the nuances of tool use, feeds, speeds ETC.
I was looking for classes in the NYC NJ area but have not found any.
More of basic turning and milling than CNC right now.
Maybe someone could steer me in the right direction.
Thanks Ernie

Someone who does a lot of milling or lathe turning for a living would know some of this stuff off the top of their head, but not being one of those people myself, I would suggest a reference such as the Machinery's Handbook. It's not cheap, but it's chock full of everything you ever wanted to know about mechanical design, and all the standards for materials, thread pitches, drill sizes....on and on. I'm sure that it would some tables which would have suggested cutting rates for different types of materials. Any self respecting book store would have it.

Hey I am using a Microkinetics CNC express for a few different projects at work and joined the site to poke around and see what I can learn. Don't really know enough to ask questions yet just gonna lurk till I can ask something that will make sense.

HOWDY!!!

my name is wylder i have been lurking for a short time but have got alot of information!
i amd gearing up to make a pattern cutting torch, i need it to cut out silhouettes for our 4-H shooting sports club and other things.

Hi I am Rens from the Netherlands,
I am here for a while looking for info in cnc routers.
At the time i am collecting all stuff that i need for a router.
the linear axes will be made from ø30 steel. with linear bearings on them.
I like this site a lot, and for 90% time i am on the web i am at cnczone.com.
Great site, and SOOOOO MUCH to read and learn.
I think I will stay here for a while.

GREETINGS

I like very much this site
I am form Israel I wish I had enogth time to spend more here
I work as designer in Hi Tec
by by

Oké, i,m a newby on this site and i shall introduce myselfs.
I start the interrest in cnc machines two years ago and sinds then i build my own little cnc milling machine. This machine is working fine and i use as software TurboCnC. i am still learning and traning with this cnc machine code.
my age is 70 years so i learn not so fast, bud never the less, i can make my metal parts for a diving lamp project.

I don't how to insert i picture of my machine, bud when i now how to do it, then you can see my milling machine.

Hi Everybody, I have been reading the zone for a few months now, I am based in the UK, I have a business making bespoke furniture, I should say I had a business as my son as taken over the rains and is running it now.

I am a time served cabinet maker of the old school using hand tools and the normal woodworking machines, always keeping away from the CNC as I always like to feel the wood I was working with.

But my son is only 18 years old and he says I have been behind the times for a long time, regarding machinery as it is all CNC thesedays, I had to agree with him when he took me to see a CNC Router running, it impressed me with it's out put, but it was not the same as working with your hands ( I will always believe this ), as I see it, today it is someone working on a PC in a office doing lines and curves on a monitor, then you have someone feeding and taking off shapes on the CNC, not knowing as to what they are for, as I have already said it is nice to feel the wood you are working with as you know it is right for the job at hand, well I am coming up to my 60th barthday and I said I would let go of the rains then, so I am going to let him have his toy to play with, I hope he proves me wrong.

Well I need advice as to what he should get regarding a CNC Router, he as stated he would like a CNC Router that would take a 8x4 sheet of MDF, working with Artcam Pro as the drawing program, I know as you may understand nothing about CNC and my son knows not much more, we have looked at a lot on the internet and seen a few working, but it is all to much to take on board in one go, as the salesman always say that the one that thay are selling is the best and the rest are rubbish for something or other that the others are selling, when you are going to invest something like £50,000.00 GBP ($100,000.00) I thing it is right for me to ask the people that live and sleep with there CNC,s.

My son as just told me he would like to have ATC six station included with vacuum bed and something called 2D 21/2D, in otherwords fully kitted out, seeing I am the one paying the bill, so come on lads give me something to think about, as I would not like to invest in a lemon.

Hi All
I have recentely buy from e-bay two big Berger Lahr NEMA 34 Old 5-phase stepper motors of the type RDM5913 /50 Ex 5-PH 70VOLT RATED 2,63A/PH .
Does any body knows how to drivethese motors?Especialy what kind of final transistors I must use for this voltage? and any idea about the power source - to use and his voltage rating?
Thanx
Costas

Hi I have converted a bridgeport clone with a cnc masters kit and I am currently looking for cad/cam software. My choice so far is rhino cad/cam any suggestions.

Hello All,

I am a CNC Programmer/Machinist and 20 year in the trade.
This is a great site I learning something new every time this site.


Best Regards

Hi,
Sorry dudes, have not posted anything on the site yet. I am busy completing my eletronics studio so that i can use my tools etc. Once i get there then i certainly will be posting alot more on this site.

I would like to say though that it is very difficult to obtain certain parts here in South Africa. If there is anyone well versed CNC person that has made a CNC Machine and knows where to get the various parts please i would be utmostly greatful to have this information.

And to all those outside S.A. Howzit, hi there and howdy.

Till later.

Mr X. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif

Hi - just posting a "hello". Most of my experience is with manual wood working and a little bit of manual milling of Al. The parts I would like to build "seem" like they would be much easier on a cnc mill.

My garage space is very limited, but I would really like to be able to have my own small cnc mill - maybe 1 hp or so.

I know how to draw paper / drafting board, so I also need to learn CAD. At some point, hopefully, I will have read enough from the existing posts to ask a useful question.

I was wondering how big of a table that I should build for 3 NEMA 23 - 60 oz in Stepper Motors ? Any ideas?

I am thinking of using screw drives for all 3 axis..x y z ...

HI- Long time reader first time poster, electrical guy from N. Calif. who works on pcb's, normally don't post because there is just so much info on the boards.

Someone who does a lot of milling or lathe turning for a living would know some of this stuff off the top of their head, but not being one of those people myself, I would suggest a reference such as the Machinery's Handbook. It's not cheap, but it's chock full of everything you ever wanted to know about mechanical design, and all the standards for materials, thread pitches, drill sizes....on and on. I'm sure that it would some tables which would have suggested cutting rates for different types of materials. Any self respecting book store would have it.

Hi there,

Could you refer me to a specific manual. Maybe provide a ISBN number that will point exactly what book is an excellent book. My discipliine is mainly Computer programming, Embedded programming and electronics. My mechanical side lacks skill.

thanks

Best Regards

Xen

Hi. I just joined a couple of days ago. I'm a professional costumer and prop maker, and my father was a machinist for the better part of his adult life. If he were alive today, he would flip at the notion that one could do CNC milling at home! I'm new to CNC work, and used to sculpting/carving parts by hand. I also have a little experience with 3-D modeling. I'm looking forward to building a Rockcliff setup in the near future. Thanks for this opportunity to learn!


~ Steve

Hi folks, my name is Jon.
I just recently took a job with bicycle company in Ca. using a haas tm1p and searching for the proper cam software, currently on a trial from Gibbs, though looking into mastercam and pro/man.
I've been a machinist since 1990 and my last job was in NY making door hardware where I ran mills and lathes but mostly a Mazak 250 msy.

thanks
Jon

I too am new. I just picked up a grizzly 4063 and also ordered cnc conversion parts from cncfusion and keling. Hopefully the conversion will go smoothly. Some of the parts are on backorder though, so the waiting game has commenced.

well i guess i qualify i,ve been a tool maker since 1957, can run any std machine but i bought this bp2 and it,s teaching me things i,ve never thought about. but i am stuborn. i,ve got a lot of help just reading about other peoples problems and the answeres on how to solve them. its all good info but i don,t have anything to add about cnc,s because i still don,t know much about them.BUT I DO ENJOY THE FORUM
Dar

Hi,

I'm currently employed by the USAF as a mnachinist. Bout 75% of the work we do is old school, turn the wheels by hand fun, but we do get to delve in to cnc for some parts. Unfortunatley the cnc training is minimal, so i have turned to this forum for help on many occasions, just figured i should actually log in and /wave y'all.

-Geoff

I recently retired, and always was interested. I have a lot of catch up work ahead. I figure this is a good place to start. I have a taig mini, and will be looking for a cnc mill at some point.

My name is John Gabriel. I live near Chicago in Illinois USA. I am a retired scientist, 76 years old, and have been interested in machine shop work since I was 20, at first using the student shop while in graduate school. I grew up in England, spent 10 years in New Zealand most of them as a student living with my parents, and eventually after teaching Physics and Electrical Engineering for a while in the University of Otago in Dunedin, became employed by the NZ Govt, From there I went to England, and in 1963 to the US, again working as a Govt scientist, where I have lived ever since. After moving to the suburbs, and selling my garage to a neighbour, I constructed a larger building for a garage and workshop, and continued to collect machine tools, some older than myself. At present I have a total of 11, 5 lathes, 5 mills, and a small surface grinder, weighing from 8000# (an older Sajo N/C mill) to 75# (a MAX-NC 10 N/C mill). About 1/2 my machines are disassembled and being reconditioned.

Having lost the sight of one eye in an accident a couple of years ago, automation of the shop is mandatory to keep my hands away from moving chucks and cutters, so I now have a collection of stepper and servo motors, and am slowly converting machines to N/C. Once everything is running again, I hope to publish my designs for machine automation, and perhaps begin a small business offering kits to automate machines from Sieg, ENCO, and Grizzly, and similar vendors

I am also considering automation of some 9 machines, and repair of an old 8000# SAJO.
It seems to me that a 60 oz in motor might be a bit small for anything bigger than a mini-mill.
I think it might be prudent to use ball screws with motors of that size, and to keep the threads per inch as large as you can. But this is the voice of inexperience, I will be better informed when I've actually accomplished something. I have enough machines to learn on!

I am just setting up a 14" between centers SIEG lathe from MicroMark in order to make ball screws for my smaller machines. I'm also doing my own electronics. As I explain in my intro, I have enough to do to make DIY construction necessary.

I'll be happy to correspond with people interested. I've just introduced myself in the introductions forum as JohnG1931. That note explains more about who I am and what I'm doing.

Sincerely
JohnG1931

Hi all :)

I hail from the UK and work mainly for myself on CNC and some convential ( when i reluctantly cant finds a way to let the machine do it ;p ).

I started out in the early days of cnc ( remember posidata ? ) when CAD was as big a pain as just trigging it.

Much respect for those building their own machines.

So any queries about older machines,windows 3.1 comms,macros or dos then you will see me post lol

And I would like to add that I still get the same buzz from CNC manufacturing as I ever did. ( Its Monday woo hoo ;p )

:withstupi

I was looking thru the list of users and was shocked to see that 3/5th or more of the members have ZERO posts. :eek:

I'd like to say WELCOME to all the new members, and to the old members that haven't posted.

I'd also like to extend an offer for you all to chime in and say hullo, mayhaps tell us what you do, how you're involved in CNC etc. We'd love to hear from you!! :D

(group)

'Rekd

Hi.
I haven't read all the replies in this topic, but just wanna introduce myself, shortly.
34 years, live in Denmark, EU, and work as machinist on a MS SL-150SMC Lathe.
Im here to listen and learn stuff about Edgecam and the machines we have in the company (hopefully) and because i'm a geek :)

Hi. David Hays here in the Pacific Northwest. I am only now planning my entry into CNC. I have been doing precision woodwork for years, and did production machine work many years ago ('66-'71).

I do computer work now for living, but am going to convert a Grizzly 1006 bench mill to CNC over the next year. I also have visions of building a 3' x 6' gantry-type router-based cnc system, but one step at a time.

For the present, I'm just gathering knowledge of tools and methodology by lurking in such places as this.

Gest Regards,

David

Remember that you can create just about anything with 3 codes. G01 (line) G02 (clockwise arc) and GO3 (Counter clockwise ark) the rest is fluff, votage and math. Some of the other code is very helpfull but in the real old days there was only GO1 and alot of little line segments to create a part. When circular interpolation came along(go2 and go3) it was the next best thing to the atom bomb!(back then of course... not politically correct to say that now) CNC is a system of many very easy tasks to program anything. There is just alot of them to do, no matter how you do it. Even Useing CAM there is a great time savings but at the expense of having to learn yet one more thing. ( or getting to learn one more thing ... depending how you look at it) I hope you do well on your venture with your machine.
KKutt

Hi Everybody, I have been reading the zone for a few months now, I am based in the UK, I have a business making bespoke furniture, I should say I had a business as my son as taken over the rains and is running it now.

I am a time served cabinet maker of the old school using hand tools and the normal woodworking machines, always keeping away from the CNC as I always like to feel the wood I was working with.

But my son is only 18 years old and he says I have been behind the times for a long time, regarding machinery as it is all CNC thesedays, I had to agree with him when he took me to see a CNC Router running, it impressed me with it's out put, but it was not the same as working with your hands ( I will always believe this ), as I see it, today it is someone working on a PC in a office doing lines and curves on a monitor, then you have someone feeding and taking off shapes on the CNC, not knowing as to what they are for, as I have already said it is nice to feel the wood you are working with as you know it is right for the job at hand, well I am coming up to my 60th barthday and I said I would let go of the rains then, so I am going to let him have his toy to play with, I hope he proves me wrong.

Well I need advice as to what he should get regarding a CNC Router, he as stated he would like a CNC Router that would take a 8x4 sheet of MDF, working with Artcam Pro as the drawing program, I know as you may understand nothing about CNC and my son knows not much more, we have looked at a lot on the internet and seen a few working, but it is all to much to take on board in one go, as the salesman always say that the one that thay are selling is the best and the rest are rubbish for something or other that the others are selling, when you are going to invest something like £50,000.00 GBP ($100,000.00) I thing it is right for me to ask the people that live and sleep with there CNC,s.

My son as just told me he would like to have ATC six station included with vacuum bed and something called 2D 21/2D, in otherwords fully kitted out, seeing I am the one paying the bill, so come on lads give me something to think about, as I would not like to invest in a lemon.

I am an old metalworking guy and liked to feel the cut also. There is a place for CNC but it will never replace the feel of a skilled hand as the materials and specific aplications blow with the wind in the real world (that is nearly lost). Only a very few repair kinda guys and artistic craftsmen like yourself will understand that. CNC is a very impersonal comared to what you are used to, but there is a place for it even for the most skilled craftsman. It can do in a fraction of the time the medial tasks that do not require artistic ability. Also it can reproduce the most artistic creation over and over again in a fraction of the time it took to create the original. I do think that CNC has diminished the ability of the people entering trades today by not giving them a more hands on experiance.

I had a teacher back in the 70'S tell me that CNC is all good... But don't forget how to turn a crank! I see now that most people we have working in our company in supervisor positions are the people that have turned the crank! They understand how to make a CNC cut because they have felt it for themselves on a manual machine. They can troubleshoot and think through problems better than the guys that cut there teeth on CNC.

I am fortunate to have done everything the hard way because it makes the easy way much more attractive.

I say get the boy his CNC, but don't let him forget where he comes from.

PS: A CNC cut part will most likely not be auctioned as a work of art, but 1,000 CNC parts can make you the same $$$$ as the work of art. (You will never feel the pride of creating something with your hands though and at the end of the day that is pretty important to me. That is the part that CNC can never replace.)


Still Learning every day....KKutt

I'm an aussie; toolmaker by trade, now working as an mechanical engineer. Decided i needed a new hobby to get the grey matter working again (and wecape the nagging misses). So i decided to make a cnc router. Still buying the bits. And as for questions, i'm sure i'll have plenty to ask after i start building

hi rekd, i have been a member of this forum for a while now and generally use it to "feel the heartbeat" of cnc development. i have a small company called eso engeneering in cape town south africa and have been involved with cnc for the last 4 years or so. we have made a few straightforward cnc machines/devices, each one getting better than the next. one of the projects i am working on is a range of affordable and simple to use cnc machines. we are aiming to to manufacture 8 machines this year ie: plasma cutter,router,lathe,mill, digitiser,punch, lasercutter,as well as a retro fit system for a lathe or mill.
even though we are going to be manufacturing our machines and therefore selling them, i would always be happy to share our experiences, mistakes [oh boy you wont believe it if i told you] and positive results and info with any of the members anytime. at the pullaway i knew nothing about cnc but slowly and with the kind help of others,it is starting to make some sense to me...our goal is for everyone with a garage to have at least 3 cnc machines [and therefore their own empire]
thanks for a great forum
best regards marc

Hi Marc,

I came across your email. As mentioned you are from C.T. and are in the process of manufacturing CNC machines.

I will be starting soon making my own CNC machine for some of my electronics projects etc. I do not have any interest to sell the machines though. What i would like to know is where are you sourcing the motors and the various mechanical parts?. Everybody is sooo secretive here that nobody want's to share information but will only do so if they can make some money, typical.

Could you point me in the right direction for the parts?

The electronics i will be designing and making this myself. This would be a stiff learning curve, but it will be interesting.

Let me know...

Thanks

hi xen, sure glad to help, exacly which mechanical parts are you looking for? we design our own machines and therefore end up making our own parts. as for the rest like bearings motors etc, we purchase from local suppliers. let me know exacly what you are looking for and i will give you names and contact details of the suppliers we use. good luck with you router, they arnt hard to build and sure are lots of fun once they are done!
regards marc

Hi,

Glad to see you guys posting here.
I am also in South Africa and I'm looking to acquire a 3 in 1 machine in about a month's time, depending on whether I feel comfortable that I know enough to make a sensible decision. In the meantime I'm hanging out here to gain a bit of knowledge and get some perspective on what to buy, and whether I should buy at all.

Marc, I picked up you might be in this line of business. If you are, could you PM me or something?

I have absolutely no technical background, but I'm working on it. I'd like to get your view on machines that are locally available or may be worthwhile to import, as long as my budget can cope.

Hello everyone, just thought I had better be polite and introduce myself, I joined the forum a couple of days ago and have been totally engrossed at the wealth of information here.

Back to the introduction.... I have recently retired after 35 years in Electro/Mechanical Engineering, the last 15 years or so in management (hated every minute! little chance to get some dirt under the fingernails) and always promised myself that my retirement would give me the time to indulge my passion for woodwork and computers.

So there is the recipe; I engineer, I know my way around computers and I love to make things out of wood. Solution:- hobby CNC of course; brings it all together nicely.

Looking forward to being a regular member and contributor where and when I can.
I live in the historic City of Lincoln in the UK, my next post will be an introduction in the European clubhouse.


:banana: (wedge) :banana:

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your reply. I am really glad to hear that someone in S.A. is willing to help.

First of all a few questions:

1. I would like to manufacture the CNC machine out of Aluminum instead of mild steel. The mild steel is too heavy. I suppose plywood might do but i am not a fan of using wood for this project. Maybe i can be converted

2. Understanding the names of each part is throwing me a bit, i.e. Gantry etc. How do get to understand the names of the various components.

3. To start off at first i have no machinery to cut the part at first. I would i go about this

4. In the US Gecko drives have been well recommended, what do we have as and equivelent here is SA, remembering that we all have a limited budget

5. Software of the shelf is very expensive especially the exchange rate. I have spoken to a few of the suppliers in the US but the cost exceeds my budget by 100 times. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif I have installed TurboCNC but it's very shaky on the XP Windows professional and other versions of Window post Win95.

If i have enough time set aside i will look into developing the software. At this stage i doubt i will do this.

6. The Driver unit and the power supply unit. The cost involved. I would like to make this myself though and sell these or maybe partner with a commercial concern to cover my costs and development/Research.


Hopefully my electronics will be completed soon so that i can get moving on this project. I will certainly communicate more to you and others on the site and will send pics as i go along. I am glad to hear that you say this is not a difficult task. It does give a boost in the interest domain.

Thanks again,

Best Regards


Xen

great site

I own a small sheetmetal company based in Geelong Australia,currently looking at importing a plasma cnc kit from Torchmate, would welcome any feedback from cnc zone members which have expierence with this company.

regards

hyper

Hello everybody.

Please forgive me for being so late in posting my introduction.
I am an Assistant Prof. in Mechanical Engineering with ten years of teaching experience. Being overloaded with theory, I now plan to give physical shape to some of my ideas. This website has provided me a very enjoyable and informative journey into the domain of practical applications of all that theory.

I humbly accept that I have only been receiving info, and would be willing to give any possible theoretical inputs from various subjects like Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Vibrations, System Modeling and Analysis, Robotics, Mechatronics etc.

Ashish

I have purchased a Lathe for some small work from time to time.
I would like to know if someone has instructions in English from assembly to wiring.
I also would like to purchase some beginners books any suggestions.
I someone can give me the baby without labor pains that would be great!

Roger

Hi
Try e-bay
Costas


Hi Marc,

I came across your email. As mentioned you are from C.T. and are in the process of manufacturing CNC machines.

I will be starting soon making my own CNC machine for some of my electronics projects etc. I do not have any interest to sell the machines though. What i would like to know is where are you sourcing the motors and the various mechanical parts?. Everybody is sooo secretive here that nobody want's to share information but will only do so if they can make some money, typical.

Could you point me in the right direction for the parts?

The electronics i will be designing and making this myself. This would be a stiff learning curve, but it will be interesting.

Let me know...

Thanks

Hi all, I suppose I'm a "lurker". Have owned, operated & modified a CNC router for apporox. 16 years then purchased a new one with the lot 3 years ago.
Sorry I cant contribute much to this forum, I am however interested to hear the ideas of others.

wyn510, I gather that you are looking for a beginner's book on lathe operation.

A good place to start is, "How To Run A Lathe," published by South Bend. I believe that the copy I obtained about 50 years ago was sold by Sears. I do not remember if it was under their name or South Bend's name. It is a very good primer and was aimed at the beginner. It does not address CNC, of course, but you will learn a lot from it.

If you are not talking about a CNC lathe, there is not much to wiring one up. It just requires a reversing drum switch like the Grainger 2X440 series ($35 to $84, depending upon current rating), which come with a wiring diagram.

You can do a used book search for that title and you will come up with dozens available at a wide range of prices. The Lindsey reprints are cheapest and start at about $12.

Have fun.

awright

Well I have it up and running. I built a CNC router out of printer parts and other stuff I have collected over the years. I started with CNC Robotics book by Geoff Williams and then hit the net for ideas. I used the control boards from his book and redid the artwork on my computer. Made the boards at home (the printers I got the steppers from also supplied the driver ICs). I use the transfer method from Pulsar.gs and built the boards in an afternoon. I am playing with KCam now and calibrated the steps/inch and it seems to work well. I have cut wood, foam and plastic and will try aluminum with it as the cutter is 1/8" Titanium. I use a Zip tool for the cutter and have a cutting area of 18"x24" with 5" height. If anyone wants a few images of it or has any questions, just ask.

valeen1959, you are an inspiration to all of us who collect parts forever but never get around to actually building. Well done. Please post some pictures.

awright

HI;

I'm in industrial maintaince for pay and I turn pens in wood for fun and profit.
I'm interested in trying some CNC milling for pen making but know nothing about it. I'm hoping to lurk around here for a while so I can at least ask an intelligent question.

Ahh Matt, Matt, Matt;
they always tell you to "search the archives" first -
and I've only been reading them for 2 years, so I'm not ready to post yet.. ;)

Thanks for this great resource!
rexarino

Hi everyone, I am sorry i haven't post anything, but I think i can't really put something interesting.

I really whant to make my own router, but I have 2 problems:
1.- Lack of time.
2.- Lack of tools.

My brother-in-law is a great machine-maker, and have a full loaded workshop, but he is with much more work on his hands than me, and I am a Congress organizer, so i have to train myself back (i am a Tecnitian, but the turns of life makes me something else).

Well, just saying hello from Argentina.

Pablo
PD: I am a Mac user, so I have been looking for some Mac software, free, for start, at least, controling a stepper motor. I have found something, but haven't tried yet.

PD2: Excuse my english, I do my best, but sometimes... I end confusing people.

Thanks so much for the advice I have purchase two books so far 27th machinist handbook and Machine Shop Practice by KH Moltrecht
The wiring I figured out and installed with a 30Amp 220 breaker.

I will look for "How To Run A Lathe," on the web tonight.
Thanks again
Roger

wyn510, I gather that you are looking for a beginner's book on lathe operation.

A good place to start is, "How To Run A Lathe," published by South Bend. I believe that the copy I obtained about 50 years ago was sold by Sears. I do not remember if it was under their name or South Bend's name. It is a very good primer and was aimed at the beginner. It does not address CNC, of course, but you will learn a lot from it.

If you are not talking about a CNC lathe, there is not much to wiring one up. It just requires a reversing drum switch like the Grainger 2X440 series ($35 to $84, depending upon current rating), which come with a wiring diagram.

You can do a used book search for that title and you will come up with dozens available at a wide range of prices. The Lindsey reprints are cheapest and start at about $12.

Have fun.

awright

thanks,
I just joined... I recycle scrap carbide and high speed, thought I could make some good connections here

Great website gotten loads of help, but maybe a little to much.
I just bought bobcat proX and starting to teach myself. how to use it, done loads of cad work including 3d, that has helped little. But some of the answers i am getting are still a little above my head, i am only 5'6 though.
I have been looking at bulding and/or purchasing a table (not to eat at) to mill my designs. looking for something around 1500mm x 900.
Ok the question i have is if i have the table (3axis) what else do i need to have the machine move and cut. i have the laptop and lets say i have the table. surely i must have something else to have the information to get from my laptop to the motors... A bit of help would be great, it would have to be compatable with what i have (BobCAT ProX)

Dave

One of my clients a company i draft for, recently bought a weeke flat bed NC.bhp200.. had it for a month now, I do all the Programing and soon it will make most that work in the factory redundent.

A few of the Carpenters have tried to be involved in the programing side and are doing the course at TAFE but even after 4 weeks i'm still explaining general file cutting, copying and pasting over the phone. Computer literacy helps in a big way. i didn't do a course i've learned it in my own time. and with the help files.

I've been useing Archicad9 to Produce DXF files. importing to woodwop. routering perspex and timber... Archicad9 will superseed autocad due to it's ease of use and abilities in drafting.

I draw and the client builds most of the Tattslotto stores throughtout Victoria Australia..
the machine runs all the 2mm and 3mm perspex stuff which the guys fold with heat rods to make poster holders for A1 and A4... Brouchures and second chance barrells etc. then it runs all the timber partitions.... and well everything.

The plan in to have three machines running everything.. I will be indispensible to that client.. but the factory worker will not be unfortunatley.

sort of like a kick in the nuts (nuts)

Regards

Dale

Rekd.

I am very happy to see this site. It is so informative and helpfull.

I am a CNC Maintenance man started my carrier with CNC since 1983.

This the second time I've ever posted anything and hope I'm doing it right. I teach metal shop at a Middle School in Cranbrook, BC, Canada and want to bring it into the 21st century. We don't have a lot of money and hope this forum will assist my teaching partner, (woodwork), and I to build and operate a CNC machine. From what I've seen, this place rocks!! Lots of people and experience to learn from. Thanks in advance for any assistance we can get.

Ron

One thing I'd recommend is not make new posts wait a day to get approved by a moderator.

I perceive there's far more DIY than professionals here, so to me that wasn't a problem.



Very good point! I'll think about it. Mayhaps something in the logo or title or somewhere insinuating that it's for Professionals and Beginners alike! A place to find answers and get different opinions.

Thanks for the tip

'Rekd

posted my first comments last night in the Syil sub forum. re the blank screen problem when using Syil Australia profile for x3 mill and Mach3.

Rgds

Chris

Glad to hear from you Chris. Having been a New Zealander 1948-1958, I'm always happy to hear from Australia and NZ, even tho I've lived in the US since 1963.Spen 4+ year at Harwell UK before the NZ DSIR asked for their scientst back, and I took a job at Argonne Labs. And so, I've lived here longer than anywhere else. Had to relinquish my UK citizenship when my job became "classified". But I can regain my citizenship when I stop doing occasional classified consulting. At age 76 I think I should bid the "secret" world goodbye. I'd like to return to NZ, but my wife is dyed in the wool US, and has 3 dogs and 4 cats, which makes the problem of quarantine severe.
Regards
John Gabriel

New Members and Non Posters, Where are you?
Hellow All, Henry here. I tend to watch listen and learn. None of my current equipment is CNC. That is how I came to own it, because those of you that do this for a living no longer need the old equipment. I do however see the need in my future. I do gun work, part time for now. Most people like it best before I get comfortable and therefor gabbey.

Hi all,

Thank you all for the great info you keep posting here. I've just arrived and I don't even know where to start reading.

I'm an Electronics Engineer from Portugal (that's why my english sucks), and I've been doing software for all my professional life. I love electronics and did some cool projects on my free time using PIC uC. Then I got married and now I have two kids so I can't devote more that an hour a day to my hobbies. Money is also a big problem, but that's not new ;)

I start a project to build a Wind generator but I don't have some important tools. One I'd love to have is a metal turning lathe, but only have mony to those tiny machines from china and they're too small for the work I want to do. I'll have to pay for that work now and dream one day I can buy a decent machine. I'll turn it CNC, of course :)

Another thing I need to do is to carve wood blades, and that's what took me here! I want to build my CNC Router to do the job!

I have two DC motors with gearbox (28:1 reduction) and encoder. The motors are small but with that reduction I think they will be capable of doing the job, at least if I do small cuts at a time. These motors came from a pair of small POS dotmatrix printers.

I also have a stepper motor (bipolar, 100 steps per revolution) that I want to use for the vertical displacement.

As for the router, I now have to options:
1) a small 135W mini router (Dremel clone) which goes from 15k to 35k rpm.
2) a 900W wood router (Einhell). I think it is too powerfull and heavy for the table I'm planning to build now.

Because I cannot spend much money on this project, I'll have go with something I know from the start that will be weak and not very precise. But I plan to learn a lot from it and have fun finally building something! So I think I'll use drawer sliders as my linear rails and cheap threaded rod for my leadscrews. Let's see what I can come up with.

If I manage to get started, I'll create a small web site dedicated to my homemade project (yeh, I know there are already millions of them, but not in Portugal, I'm affraid!).

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear all the advices you guys can give me. I'm seaching for usefull info on the forum but there's so much to read...

Chears from Portugal!
Renato

Welcome, Renato:

Do not apologize about your use of the english language. No one would suspect you were not a native speaker from your literate post.

awright

Hi! i'm a new member and i'm sorry that i haven't been posting anything ,it's all because i'm just starting to learn cnc i've been using conventional machines at school for the past eight months.I've been looking through the posts and i found some interesting things on here but for sure in the near future i will be posting.Thank you

Hi everyone,
I am yet another John from the UK. Although having been a member for a year this is the first time I have had anything to say. I recently completed my tabletop router. All metal apart from the X carriage wheels which run on round bar. Almost completely made from aluminium extrusions which come complete with useful tee slots. Threaded rods of M12 for the X and M10 for both Y and Z leadscrews. Nema 23 steppers geared (toothed belts) to give 0.005 mm per step on each axis just to make life easier. The working area is the same as an A4 sheet of paper so anything that can be drawn full size on the sheet can be made. I am using the MasterCNC software available free from the colin usher website mainly because it is easy to use and has a wheel cutting module to produce wheels with spokes which is the reason for getting involved in CNC in the first place.
Enjoy reading what you all are doing sometimes with a bit of envy but always with interest.
John.

I was looking thru the list of users and was shocked to see that 3/5th or more of the members have ZERO posts. :eek:

Well, I've lurked for some time and finally decided to pop my cherry and make a post. So, howdy fellas!

CnC has been a fascination with me since I saw some very large scale steel plates being cut in a shipyard in Collingwood On in the mid 80's. It's amazing to watch something like a 800' freighter being assembled from all CnC cut & milled materials before your very eyes!

Anywho I'm not going to build an 800' steel freighter but we are embarking on a slightly less ambitious project, a 28' stretched to 30.5' diesel trawler in S&G Ply, epoxy & glass. http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=TW28

The reason I stumbled in here is that CnC is still a big part of our strategy to make this trawler project affordable for us (I'm a simple servant in the Cdn. Coast Guard). Having put a considerable amount of thought, planning and research into this project we sources & priced every component required to make this thing a real boat and were shocked at the cost of even minor components that were labeled "marine", many of which I intend to make myself, hence the requirement for CnC. My background is in marine engineering logistics so I know my way around some of this type of equipment.

So, not to bore you too much, just bought the BigBear plans as a starting point so standby, this is gonna be a fun ride!

Hi,
well that didn't hurt at allhttp://www.cnczone.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif
:), I'll start with something simple. here is a snapshot of where I am at so far.
http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/data/500/medium/1234.JPG

You have a good mix of Posts, some are in Programming, Machine Design Engineering and Sales. Programmers I know have moved on to I.T. Depts. A language barrier may exist, it seems new machinist are Vietnamese. Have you seen the students in Collage programs for machining latley? This is the Best site I know of, Keep up the good job.

hello all

I've just joined and need any information on old the pacer 2500 manuals etc

Rekd, First I'll introduce myself... Jim, AKA idbeast. My first post!!
I use the Search feature to find my answers, If I can't find what I need I'll post, however I haven't had the need to do that!:) The Old man in me falls back on the principle of only speaking when I have something to say, and not cluttering up this board with needless info.

TBH I signed up because I have just purchased a Sieg C6B, I am hoping that I will find other owners here, as a google search repeatedly hit this forum. Although I doubt I will ever CNC my lathe, or mill come to that, I like to keep abreast of what is going on, cribbing ideas where I can and offering solutions if I can. I will lurk a lot and join in if the muse takes me. :)

Regards, newbie member rog8811

And of course I'm also a lurker. Building a machine though, but still working on the Z axis mechanics. Made it entirely out of MDF frame so far, as this is my first "cut" so to say at making such a beast. I suspect I'll have to replace the motors with better ones at some point, as these are 0.8A @ 6 VDC ones. I'm using Linisteppers with a custom RS-232 interface which will take movement instructions and respect the various limit switches.

I'm trying to decide if a 16F628/648 with latches to drive the motor logic is a good idea, or if I should just go with the larger '877 and drive it all from dedicated pins.

I joined recently to lean more about CNC. My son is a professional woodworked/cabinet maker and has convinced me that we need to buy a CNC router and start a woodworking business of our own. I have looked at a number of the vendor sites and it looks like a new small system (48"x48" or tabletop) will cost upwards from $6000. I was wondering where to start looking for a used machine? All of the used machine vendors I have seen on the web handle only large expensive machines. Can anyone point me in the right direction or do you know of anyone who has a machine for sale? I am in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

hello everybody

I'm a senior in high school is interested in (if not addicted to) CNC milling/lathing.

I am fascinated by with the method creating stuff on a computer and then transforming those "zeros and ones" into real objects with high precision.

I have throughly enjoyed teaching myself the basics of Matercam X at school, and will definitely be visiting forums to learn tips and pick up as much knowledge about CNC as I can.

New to this forum. Checking things out when I get a chance. Trying to learn about cnc. I'm an Instrument Technician by trade. Just got curious about your forum and decided to join up. Will keep on "lurking" when I get a chance and thanks for all the great information.

Hey all, I have been a back seat reader for a long time now... I work with Bobcad V21 and Fadal, Haas mills, Romi and Haas lathes. I dig making functional scale model stuff like engines/superchargers/drivetrain/wheels... I have enjoyed making a few VQC posts for the Haas SL20/TL2 (mill is very simlar but I have no need). Right now I'm into microprocessors and electronics and I'm planning on moving toward retrofitting my own machines.

Hey Evreybody. I found this site looking for help trying to convert files to .cnc or .nc format. I still haven't figured it out.

New (recent), first post, I'm looking at machine shop items and educating myself on CNC, but for the moment don't have the funds or needs. Looking at aluminum milling and CNC is how I got here, but also enjoy woodworking and could see needing a nice CNC table at some point.

seems this is very much a hobbyists forum and therefore most of the posts that are useful to me or them ones i have posted haven't been replied to. slightly disappointing since there is sooo much potential here. Still some very interesting posts on new CNC structure construction kicking about.

Hi all,
I have been lurking and learning for a few months and I have to tell you this is the most informative site I have ever been on. I am now involved doing cnc router design and cad/cam for the knife and gun industry making knife handles and gun grips out of 15,000 year old mammoth tusk and antler products and other exotic materials. The rules of normal machining do not apply to these natural materials, every type has its own characteristics. The infomation I have garnered from this site and the experienced people who contribute has made me proud to join this elite group of knowledgeable and sharing individuals that make up the cnczone. KUDOs to the CNCZONE admin who have made this one heck of a forum for beginners and pro's alike.
cpsheets

Well, I've lurked for some time and finally decided to pop my cherry and make a post. So, howdy fellas!

CnC has been a fascination with me since I saw some very large scale steel plates being cut in a shipyard in Collingwood On in the mid 80's. It's amazing to watch something like a 800' freighter being assembled from all CnC cut & milled materials before your very eyes!

Anywho I'm not going to build an 800' steel freighter but we are embarking on a slightly less ambitious project, a 28' stretched to 30.5' diesel trawler in S&G Ply, epoxy & glass. http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=TW28

The reason I stumbled in here is that CnC is still a big part of our strategy to make this trawler project affordable for us (I'm a simple servant in the Cdn. Coast Guard). Having put a considerable amount of thought, planning and research into this project we sources & priced every component required to make this thing a real boat and were shocked at the cost of even minor components that were labeled "marine", many of which I intend to make myself, hence the requirement for CnC. My background is in marine engineering logistics so I know my way around some of this type of equipment.

So, not to bore you too much