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 Rekd

I followed Jay and yourself over from the Mastercam forum.
I am a Mastercam programmer,,,just chiming in.

Scott Bond

Guess somebody gotta' make up for my blabberin'
:cheers: Jim

Hi All,
I'm a CNC newbie and have just been absorbing some of the information in the "Zone". I'm designing my first CNC router and am trying to gleen ideas from some of the fine machines I've seen here!
I have a question concerning the use of UHMWPE or delrin as a linear bearing (drilled and reamed to a class 2 running fit), is this possible, what might be a problem?
Thanks for this forum, best wishes and no crashes to all!
Later,
Ed

just a programming student now. Absorbing info when I can understand it.

Good to have you all here.
Scott good to see you also.

Nice welcome wagon Rekd':p

PEACE:D

in the planning stages at the moment brought some ballscrews and thk bearings and rails planing the layout at the moment

intend to build a small fixed gantry engraving ,carving mill
using diamond burrs to use on glass , stone , etc

great site
ken

From some of the PM's I get, it seems we have many "lurkers" who feel more comfortable "one on one". As long as we are having fun and maybe even learning a few things!

Eric

Hi All

I am an experienced CNC programmer proficient with MasterCam, Surfcam and have used others, I was an outcast from Crankys little forum. For wanting to share building ideas that used the rollerblade and black pipe desiigns he took this as a threat and promptly banned me just before he went private. I must give him the credit for motivating me to finish a machine. I had lost interest in. I spend a good bit of time here just watching the newbies evolve. The group has done a graet job motivating people keep up the good work. BTW Have a look at my website to see some of my work although needs to be updated
www.freewebs.com/raysplace

Peace :-)
Ray

That's a nice website.

Where did you get the plans for the controller board?

Rekd it may be like one individual just this week related to me about the Zone! Intimidation may have a large part to do with it.

The problem this particular individual had was that he felt that he was kinda being ingored because he has to come to believe this site is "just for professionals". I told him that the single largest forum on this site is used by folks that build their own cnc machines. Any suggestions as to how to get this fellow and all the non posters involved?

turmite

Originally posted by turmite
Rekd it may be like one individual just this week related to me about the Zone! Intimidation may have a large part to do with it.

The problem this particular individual had was that he felt that he was kinda being ingored because he has to come to believe this site is "just for professionals". I told him that the single largest forum on this site is used by folks that build their own cnc machines. Any suggestions as to how to get this fellow and all the non posters involved?

turmite

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

Post Processor Files
Share your post processor files here!
--------------------------------------------------

Asking someone to give you a post will usually get you ignored, or flamed. And then there told have you check with you dealer and then try to figure out if you have copied software.

Its kind of a bait and switch thing going on.

I have only been here a short time and it seems that most of the traffic is with the hobbyists. As a machinist with 30 years experience it’s great to see what the nonprofessionals are doing. I learn something every time I stop here.

Gary :D

Hi, There. I'm a mastercam programmer making extrusion dies on vertical mills. Built a cnc router and have one on order from LIbertycnc also. Enjoying and learning from these sites. Would be very much interested if anyone here cuts out carbon electrodes with a router and how it works out for them! This place is a treasure trove of information. Thanks.

No Doubt about it - This 'zone has it all! Helpfull encouragement and a host of experts across the field. You can get a question answered on electronics, mechanics, programming, mill speeds, and even more esoteric ones too!
Is it possible the "levels of achievement" , chip sweeper -master, apprentice, etc are a bit "off-putting"? I don't, maybe its intimidating to some?

Perhaps accept the range of participation as a reflection of the range of interests and experience on the site. Newbies ask questions when they're ready to, and have always gotten great assistance.

BUT - its always helpful to revisit, rewind, or refresh - its what keep this site alive! And encouraging participation is a GOOD thing!
Thanks and
:cheers: Jim
PS - not yet even a chip sweeper really - just a noise maker!

Hi All

What A great site!!
I am a CNC Programmer/machinist
I want to build a CNC Router with a forth axis.
So many of my questions are answered by reading the posts.

I will reply to CNC programming questions if asked.

I use SolidWorks, Delcam PowerMill , Visual Basic

Thanks to all on this site

I thought I'd add my cents in.... Just finished assembling a driver system with gecko 320's from Dan at camtronics, Hooked up the servo motors and ran a Spiral g-code on Mach2, watched the motors on the soft carpet twist and rock as they reversed to the signals. Now, while familiarizing myself with Bobcad, am waiting to get the Shoptask delivered and mount the motors.
John

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

There's still 1,550 members lurking... :drowning:

Come out and play!! :D

'Rekd

Hey,
I am fairly new to CNC programming 2 yrs exp.I use AlphaCam to program. The company I work for is in the Door and Window industry. I am very impressed with the forum that you have going here. Would like to try and build my own CNC router some time, so I've found a lot of good stuff here.Don't have much to say just like to visit and read what everybody else has to say.So keep pouring out the information and I will keep soaking it up.
Thanks:D

Hey guys,
I am a programmer up in MN. I have only about 2yrs programming(mastercam of course) and about 6yrs in the trade. I spend a lot of time "lurking" because I don't want to sound like an "I.nC.apable O.bstructive N.uisance." No, I love these forums and all the knowledge the experienced people share with us greens.

Originally posted by I.C.O.N.
Hey guys,
I am a programmer up in MN. I have only about 2yrs programming(mastercam of course) and about 6yrs in the trade. I spend a lot of time "lurking" because I don't want to sound like an "I.nC.apable O.bstructive N.uisance." No, I love these forums and all the knowledge the experienced people share with us greens.

LoL, Icon, nice name. :D

The whole reason for this forum is to make us all Ingeniously Creative On cNcs

You've got questions, we've got answers.

'Rekd teh Rum. And. Coke.

I'm a new member I just joined... I live in Galveston Texas and am starting a CNC project of my own design.... I'm a Structural Engineering major at A&M Galveston. And hope to someday build boats.

Ernie

a gif of my design is one my web page.

http://tamug.tamu.edu/~egk9566/

Welcome to the board!!
Just jump right in theres lots of knowledge here and these
guys are some of the best you'll find.

PEACE:D

:) hi all
been on vacation
now i'am back
best regards
peter

Hello, I just like building things and am gathering info to eventually do a cnc retrofit on a mill. Great sight by the way.

Hi all

Cnc Programmmer, Machinist, Process devoloper for both turning and milling at a pneumatic cyclinder company in the midwest. Still using SmartCam as of now, but that should all change in the new year. Joined this group to pay attention to the discussions in the Cam forums and eventually ask some questions as we get closer to making a decision on what software to purchase. Enjoy reading the posts and picking up some new ideas and info now and again.

Hi all,

I have been lurking and occasionally posting since the summer. I have a CNC foam cutter of my own design and am currently working on a modified Routezilla from Cranky's plans. I am also gathering together information on tool path algorithms so I can write my own router software........eventually. :-).

Icon, & all the others i'm not mentioning, we're not going to laugh at you when post questions. There's a lot of knowledgible members on this site that's eager to share their vast knowledge....all you have to do is post!
Remember this place is the home of people with an interest in cnc, software etc, etc. I do not categorize (pardon my spelling!) between pro's & "greenies"!!!!

Keep on posting!

Klox

WOW! 82+ Guests viewing now! Hi all!

Paul here. from Cardiff, Wales
I've just purchased mach2 and modified an old small spark eroder with steppers and a bosch router. Unfortunately my two and a half year old twins dont let me go in the garage enough!
Just having fun watching it cut. Thanks for all the help i've discovered on this forum.

Unfortunately my two and a half year old twins dont let me go in the garage enough!

:eek:

'Rekd

Hi there to you all. I am a manufacturing engineer. I build custom packaging machinery. I am working on a plasma table at my shop at home. I need some help with my stepper drivers.

Originally posted by toolmkrman
Hi there to you all. I am a manufacturing engineer. I build custom packaging machinery. I am working on a plasma table at my shop at home. I need some help with my stepper drivers.

You have come to the right place!

I was an IT manager from 97-02 with a good pay scale. Have 14 years in the computer field, and many certifications under my belt. Some IT jobs are going overseas, and the others are being given to new graduates that will do the job for less. The market is flooded with with new IT people. ( I could go on but won't )

I have given up looking for work in that field, since I am unwilling to relocate, and sick of working for tyrants. I'm currently persuing machining now as my own endeavor, based on an idea that came to me while attempting to empty a keg. The learning curve is a challenge, but it's coming along.

This is a great site, seems to have a lot of friendly knowledgeable people I have learned quite a bit in the two days I have spent reading all the threads. My girlfriend is not happy, but i'm OK with this.

Thanks to all,
Kenny

Greetings from Southern Nevada Y’all. I’m Patrick from Las Vegas, 54 year old Real Estate Manager. I don’t know enough to be a chip sweeper yet. This forum seems to be the place learn.
Thank you one and all.

Patrick
oddsman

Originally posted by oddsman
Greetings from Southern Nevada Y’all. I’m Patrick from Las Vegas, 54 year old Real Estate Manager. I don’t know enough to be a chip sweeper yet. This forum seems to be the place learn.
Thank you one and all.

Patrick
oddsman

Hi Patrick. Welcome to the Zone.

Just so happens I'll be shopping in SoLV shortly. Just got back from Texas and found some real nice stuff there, but being a So Cal boy, I don't want to deal with the humidity. I'd be interested in talking with you when the time comes.

'Rekd

Hey all, just introducing myself, Dave from southern Ohio. Been working on machine tools for long time. Been field service for a CNC manufacturer ( Emco ) and a distributor in Pittsburg, PA. Was a road warrior and have been all over the U.S. and parts of Canada. Heck, I have probably been in some of your shops. Worked on numorous mills and lathes and many types of controls. Also done some design and fixturing work. This forum has been a good read. If anybody needs some help or ideas I'd be glad to help if I can.


Nice to meet you all,
Dave

Greetings!

One thing that many of the newly registered users might be doing is considering which brand (or DIY) of machine to go with. This forum was a big help for me in deciding which brand to go with. I've only posted one other time than this but I'm still waiting on my machine. I'm sure there will be plenty of "Help! I'm stuck once again" posts from me once it actually arrives. :)

I allways here but hiding in the shodows watching.
But I do come out time to time to say high.

HI

I've been asking some dumb questions, but no body has picked on me! So I guess that means it's safe to come out and play! (er I mean post!)

Hope to see more posts from newbies! ;)

Mike...

Nice to meet "you all"

How far south did you say Dave? :D

Welcome to a great Forum,

Ken

another Ohio'n

Originally posted by Ken_Shea
Nice to meet "you all"

How far south did you say Dave? :D

Welcome to a great Forum,

Ken

another Ohio'n


Hey Ken, Just about right in the middle between Columbus and Cincinnati just off of 71 in Wilmington. Where you out of?

Oh BTW, travled enough, give me 2 days on site and I sound like a local. Although Jersey was tough :D

I gotta wonder...

Why do so many people come by to just watch, make no comment or participate?

The Fadal poll that is running has seen 850 views to date
10 votes so far = 1.1% participation

That's the worst voter turnout ever!

It's a free country only if we participate!

Scott_bob

LoL!

'Rekd

Hi,

I've been lurking for some time now just absorbing the huge amount of information here before committing myself to purchasing the necessary to make a CNC router.

I am a teacher of Design Technology in Liverpool, England and as such am not surprised there are so many lurkers. People learn in many differnt ways, some like to shout about their achievements from the roof tops while others are more subdued and restrained. Just as with personalities, some of us are shy, not quite sure of ourselves and justifiably reticent. Bear with us - we will communicate in our own time.

I will have many questions to ask when the project gets under way. My intention is to use the experience of building a machine for the school as both a learning and teaching tool. The proposed spec is a 2000 x 500 x 100 machine for light milling and routing. Not yet decided to go stepper or servo.

This is the best forum on the planet, please let people use it the way they want.

All the best to everyone.

Hi

I stumbled over this zone a few days ago. Since then spend many hours reading many interesting posts. Learned something too, hopefully :-)

I'm on my second MDF machine just now.

The CNC stuff has been in my mind for years and a SMC-1500 card has been in the project drawer for years too :-)

When I started thinking about CNC aluminium structures was the only way to go. Then I saw an ad in Elector Magazine from Milford showing an MDF-based machine. Why haven't I got that idea long time ago? Well a quick and dirty machine was built i short time with ideas and techniques from several places on the web. Drawerslides, rollerblade bearings etc... The machine was doing the job quite well, but is too large for my shop.

The new machine has a working area of around 150mm*300mm and a Z of hopefully at least 100mm. A fourth axis is planned too.

Just my 2øre from Denmark
/Niels

Niels,
From one Dane to another, how about some pics?
If you can figure out how to do it, cause I can't keep the files small enough!
Cheers,
Jens

Jens,
You probably need to resize your graphics to something smaller and save it as jpeg/jpg file.

All,

I stumbled on this Forum a couple of months ago and have been intensely lurking since. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

I've caught the CNC bug and started a router. The only progress so far besides a brain crammed full of options is some spinning motors. I purchased the HobbyCNC (http://www.hobbycnc.com) Package from Dave and am very impressed with the quality of the product and support Dave provided. It went together flawlessly, but I had some optimistic starting frequencies in TurboCNC (http://www.dakeng.com/turbo.html) that caused the motors to just flinch and hum. Finally got things worked out and have a video of things spinning:
http://members.cox.net/mburford/143_4338.AVI (~4MB)

I'm planning on going the cheap MDF "learner" route so many of you suggest. No definite plans yet except to play around with many of the ideas seen here. I will try to get my website up and running to document the progress.

I became hooked on CNC in an internet kind of way. I started out to build the Gingery Crucible Furnace and Lathe. When I was searching around for casting info, I found hot foam links that pointed to CNC hot foam machines and that was all that was needed. The furnace is done, but the CNC project has preempted the lathe project for now. Here is a link to some photos of the Furnace project:
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mb0978/album?.dir=/Metalworking-Crucible+Furnace&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/mb0978

Take care all,
Mike

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cncmek
[B]Hey Ken, Just about right in the middle between Columbus and Cincinnati just off of 71 in Wilmington. Where you out of?

Hi Dave,
My mail says Mount Gilead, but I am actually 7 miles north of that little berg right on US Highway 42, about 45 miles or so due north of Columbus, we are darn near neighbors :D
If you are ever up this way stop in and introduce yourself, would be pleased to meet you.

Ken Shea
6528 US Highway 42
Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338

Ken

Hey is this thing working?

Originally posted by Hardway
Hey is this thing working?

Yep Yep. ;)

'Rekd

Hi Dave,
My mail says Mount Gilead, but I am actually 7 miles north of that little berg right on US Highway 42, about 45 miles or so due north of Columbus, we are darn near neighbors :D
If you are ever up this way stop in and introduce yourself, would be pleased to meet you.

Ken Shea
6528 US Highway 42
Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338

Ken [/B][/QUOTE]

Will do if the chance comes up, Thanks for the invite :D

Dave

Hey, im new to this forum, but i can see that there is a lot of
talent/information.

I am a HAAS field service tech, so if anyone needs any questions
answered, let me know. Maybe I can help.

I want to FIX your HAAS
NOT CLEAN IT!

LoL!

Welcome to the forums!

'Rekd

I want to FIX your HAAS
That's a great line.
Do you have on the back of your work shirts, in big letters?

figure I will add to this topic

I'm new, and learning about CNC

I'm a avid Rhino user that design's cars for fun and for Freelance projects. I have 3 projects under way, one of them I have built a site around the design process and what the car will be powered with and the chassis design it will have.

I'm here to see if I can learn anything about how to get a 3d model into what I hear are called tool paths.

I need to find out what that means to me and my 3d model.

anyways this place looks like a great resource, lets hope I can learn something.


http://wtdesign.flashex.com/

Hi Wyatt,

I remember you from CG Help before it folded.

Gary :D

hey Gary, I was wondering what happened to that place.
good to see some familiar people around.

Hey Mike, hows the furnace going? You cast anything yet? I built the two bucks style, and though I haven't cast anything except ingots, I'm burning to get back to it! Nice looking furnace by the way. By the way guys, I am new here too. Got into CNC with some buddies, but that didn't work out so now I'm on my own. Got a few ideas for hardware store machines that do not use drill rod, window channel, or other unobtainiums. TAKE A LOOK ANYONE OUTSIDE US. Once I get the plans together They will be available to all countries. No reason U.S. should be exclusive! You guys are all great! I really look forward to sharing, and being shared with! Cheers!

Hello Wyatt,
took a quick look at your Site. Enjoyed it! Welcome to Cnczone, i hope you will enjoy this place as much as i do!

Keep well,

Klox

Hello Hobbiest,

Thanks, the furnace turned out pretty well, but it sure was a lot of work. I made my own refractory which for me will be a once in a lifetime experience. I'm going commercial castable next time. I have cast only one lump of aluminum in a hollow of dry sand. That leaf blower motor is too powerful even with the dimmer switch and I have to crank up the natural gas (waste!) to keep it going so I just was out working on a new blower made out of an old 1/2 variable speed drill. Hopefully I can cast something next weekend.

Looking forward to checking out your plans.

Mike

Mike,
My furnace uses the Reil type burner. No forced air, and the thing kicks butt!!! Sounds like a small jet engine, and only cost about $5-$10 to build! My refractory was homemade also, following Oliver's recipe, and my only problem with it is small cracks in the surface. Pretty easy to make, just a bit labor intensive once my big 1/2" drill wouldn't mix it any more!

Well I'm new to the zone, about two weeks, and this is a very nice site. My name is David, nick name "SneL". I'm in Greer, SC. I've been in machining for about 18 years, ToolMaker for 13. I own a machine shop on the side making a lot of custom tooling , molds, automated machines, etc. ,,Loaded down with work but not really ready to take the leap into full time business. I have a lot of experience under my belt, including urethane casting and industrial ceramic slip casting, so feel free to ask questions whenever.
Thanks,
David

I've been involved in lathe machining in the western New York area since the late 70's. Very little milling. Became CNC literate in the early 80's. Became a programmer in the late 80's. Mid 90's then the fun stopped when I was promoted to supervision. On the cad-cam side we used anvil 5000 but are now transitioning into pro-e. We have Miyano BND's and BNE's, an Emco 332, and a couple of 4 axis Okuma's. We don't generally use cad-cam for any of our lathe work. Until a week ago I wasn't aware of a site like this so I've been on the side reading. Alot of the questions aren't related to anything I've every done. When I see something I can relate too I won't be afraid to throw my two cents in. In the mean time I'm just enjoying the site.

Gunner

Hi from Spain here, by now just acumulating skate ballbearings and surplus steppers, and some good knowledge with the hope of be able to apply it..

thanks in advance
/U

Hi all,
I have been lurking and sometimes asking and replying when I felt I could help. My wife & I own and run a Photography Studio. I used to be in the fabrication and design for a company but got away from that. I have built a small cnc router, cnc hot wire foam cutter, and recently a electrically fired furnace to melt aluminum. Have started designing to build a heavy duty cnc mill/router to mill aluminum, mild steel and engrave on stone. I plan on a dual spindle so I can also cut wood. Gee now I've probably said too much, so now I will go back to lurking and etc.. GREAT FORUM Thanks Ron

My Name is Michael and i live in Wi.

Im a Mech Tech for a company that makes educational products. I make Babys for a living…really I do…

I have no formal schooling of any type. HS is it.. (now you know why im cheking this site out) Hehehe

My passion is Model Boat racing and im the Out Board Director for the IMPBA (International Model Power Boat Association). I also operate a small MFG business out of my home designing, kitting and selling RC racing boats.

This is not a plug for my company its just a happy to get to know you post. My site is www.grimracer.com

I also moderate at a Model Boat Forum www.intlwaters.com Just like the this site its nice to know that there are others that share the same passions and you.

Im new to CNC. I like the info here and the guys/gals seem to be very helpful.

Kind Regards

Michael AKA "Grimracer"

My name is Scott

Live in Groton NH USA

Just joined last week. Been in Screw machine for 28 yrs and spent 10 in CNC.

Mostley swiss cnc but the last 9 years machining centers and cutting screw machine cams on a horisontal mill with rotory cnc.

Need to build one for home, going for a home shop. Cam Cutting.

Unleash the newbie!

My trade background evolved via a year spent as a tradesmens assistant for plastic injection tool and die making, then began a 4 year toolmaking apprenticeship. Was lucky to learn manual cnc programming via heidenhain control.

After completing my apprenticeship i moved into other fields of the plastic industry thus:

Vacuum
Thermoforming
Extrusion

Made as with teamed up on many molds over the years from automotive to household.

Additional fields:

Jigs and fixtures.
Automation- special purpose machine building.

And currently involved in Aerospace- aircraft part manufacture including reworking of parts.

You never stop learning i must say.

Cheers to all, Brett.

I'm building a cnc router. My mistakes are very well documented at http://www.machinecnc.com. Now back at the drawing board.

New to this site. Ive been tring to find a good new/used cnc router to purchase. I am looking at 3-d milling and engraving aluminum motor cycle parts.Im almost ready to buy one on e-bay
I am a cnc machinist and have a full machine shop at my disposal. If I can find good plans for a ridged portable machine I will build my own.The only thing that concerns me is hooking up the steppers and wiring. but im sure this site will help
But as with most beginers Im having a hard time explaining to the wife why I have to spend alot of money for the machine and the software. So I guess I have a hambuger budget.
any help would be appreciated .

This site is a great resource!

I'm new to the forum as well. I have only been on a few days, but I have learned quite a bit so far. The most ironic part is I design high precision servo and stepper stages and actuators all day long, yet when it comes to getting a personal project up and running, the software and controls portion slows me down. I'm far more mechanical than electrical. Are there any other people on this site who have completed servo systems? If so what do you have for controllers?

My largest project at the moment is retrofitting a 10 year old CNC Bridgeport for as little money possible. It was orginally all CNC, but I am adding handles for manual operation. Anyone with links for vendors of CNC controllers that handle servo drives WITHOUT step and direction inputs would be a great help. All the mechanical parts are there along with the motors and drives, but the controller is smoked. I need a replacement controller, and a CAM package that will interface with Solidworks, as I have a legal copy of it at home. I can't wait until I can draw up a 3D model, download it to the control and go machine it. Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. I have quite a collection of ballscrews, leadscrews and linear ways. Only a few larger sized ways, but many smaller ones. I'm also working on a pile of stepper motors, servos and drives that I have collected. I'm trying to get them together and ready for ebay. Plus, if anyone has a servo compatible controller lying around, and needs any of the hardware I just mentioned, let me know and we can set up a trade.

Meah,

You're all in trouble now ...
Names Richard, Richo, D!ck or pretty much anything else that you might like to throw my way. If i'm looking at you I'll probably answer.

This is a really good site that you guy's have got going here. VERY informative.

I'm a plumber that has got "off the tools" & am now working in a builidng services design office. I've spent the last two & a half years as a designer/CAD drafty so I don't have too many issues with drawing something up. I'm also (fairly) proficient with Acad2002.

WOW. 6 pages of replies ...

I am here to learn ... or at least that is the intention.

You'll all see this rep. elsewere. my bad. sorry.

Hello all,

Turned up this site in a search for post processor help. I've been machining/programming for 25 years. Currently using UniGraphics NX. Experienced with too many CAD/CAMs to list. I do contract programming on the side. I am a senior programmer for the world’s 5th largest medical device manufacturer. I've accumulated experience with just about every kind of machining and materials. I have extensive experience with plastics and exotic metals. Located near Memphis, TN.

I think this site is great. Lot's of good information here for the hobbyist and beyond. Keep it up.

Originally posted by Rekd
There's still 1,550 members lurking... :drowning:

Come out and play!! :D

'Rekd
"Show and Tell" seems very much a North American peculiarity and some of us "others" do not feel comfortable sharing our creations made from gas pipe, roller blade wheels, particle board and hose clips.
Lurk and Learn with no commitment makes it possible to take in many sites with similar interests.

cutfinger I'm going to disagree with you. I think we have as many users from Canada that show their creations and I know we have several from England, and others from Sweden, S. Africa,
New Z-land, Mexico, Turkey, Spain and oh yeah, ynneb and the crew from down under Australia! Oh, I forgot a couple. There is one Chicago "vacpress" and that guy that designed the auto matic tool changer for the mini mill......:D

Mike

this sight is a little overwhelming at first. so much info to sift through. ok, here is the reason i dont post......i know nothing! i do know i have 14" logan i am hell bent on retrofiting. i also know its not going to happen anytime soon. so, i am just trying to soak up as much general info as i can for now. besides every question i ask and get answered just leads to two more things i never even thought of before and results in more questions. a vicious cycle no doubt.

i do see alot of retrofited mill/drills and homade routers here, but not too much going on with lathes, unless they are micros or minis. i would love to brain-pick someone with experience in converting larger American lathes. as far as the mechanical part of a projectlike this, it doesnt seem too rough, but the electronics half leaves me lost in the sauce.

Hi,
This is a great site. I have been lurking around for some
time now, and decided to register. I run a small job
shop in southern kalifornia. I am facinated with building
cnc machines. Never relized how much work goes into
building these cnc's.

I just found this site today and along with practicalmachinist I don't think there's any question I have that couldn't be answered! I've been doing engineering work at a company for the last 3 years and before that spent some time in a medium size CNC shop as well as 7 years as a patternmaker (patternmaking the old fashioned way mostly). Great site.

Jason

ok!!!!! here is my post
help
in the past few months i have built some sort of a universal machine that can cut dove tails ,mortise and tenons ,and can be used as a copy mill
The all system runs on linear bearings (not shaft)
i am now tinking to make it cnc controlled. the only poblem is that i know absolutely nothing about this kind of stuf.looking on the net i saw people using printer motors to make small engraving machines
my question is this:i can see the way i could use my old large format dot matrix printer for the x axis but how would i control the y axis????
for experiment sake i would built a much smaller machine becouse the present one is too big to be moved by a printer motor

Hello, New guy here. I am a cnc machinist, vmcs mostly. I do some programing, trouble shoot new programs, ect. I am always looking for useful knowledge, and hope I find some here, looks promising

I like to say hi to all of you.
I am cnc programmer.Working for mold shop using cimatron.
I started a new job and progamming Heidenhain 430 control.
Post do not work so well and this control is a new for me.
I will need some helpwith the posts.
thanks

Howdy all.

I'm just joined up recently. I seem to be getting my feet wet in a few areas.....not excluding making myself look a bit silly (proof at http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4776 )

LoL, DAB! :cheers:

Hello, my name is Patrick and I'm a carpenter working in NYC. I've been a lurker for about 3 months and started posting about 2 months ago.

This is a really great site. I first saw a cnc machine (hobbyist version) about 3 years at a woodworkers show in NJ. It was the shopbot. In January of this year, I saw the shopbot again at the same trade show and this time the machine was cutting out a sign. It was the coolest thing. He had on display several items that the machine cut out and I wanted to buy my own machine. Well the $5000 price tag sort of cooled that desire. Well, over the next few weeks, I started thinking about CNC machines and then finally I started checking out the internet. I found cranky's site and started reading up on hobbiest machines. About 2 weeks later, I found this site and that was it. I learned a ton of stuff about the different disciplines involved in building and using a CNC router.

At this point, I'm building my own machine and I hope to be finished with it in about two months. I want to thank all of you for your help and insight on this wonderful hobby.

you can check my progress here

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4752

Greetings, I'm Max.

I've been lurking around for a few days.

You guys are quite a creative bunch.

I've been wanting to build my own router for some time now.
You guys are not making it any easier. To many choices;)

For some background on myself,
I own a small business that produces decorative products(vases, candleholders, furniture & etc.)
I have a few machine tools, two of which I retrofited with CNC(Lathe, mill). They both have AHHA drives, drivin by flashcut. My best tool is a 97 Haas hl-2. (I do need programing advice from you Haas guys.)
To add to the fun, all of these tools are in my garage. Yes, I do live in a homeowner's association.
Nobody has complained, so far.

That's it for now.

Talk Soon,
Max

machine ed - re linear bearings of UHMWPE and Delrin(r)
Like all good engineering plastics, these 2 enjoy EMBEDABILITY, so they can swallow harsh particles that would otherwise harm the guide rod/bar. However they have a low elastic modulus (that's French for they deflect under load) and their linear coefficient of thermal expansion is rather high -maybe 6 to 10 times that of metals. If you factor in those characteristics, you can do well with them. I'd suggest UHMWPE is the silent winner here, as you can purchase it skived (peeled) in ultra-precise thin tape, to use as a scarf-joint gapped bushing liner, or a thin adherent strip on a way. But don;t get carried away with high rotation speed bushings, where the low thermal conductivity will refuse heat dissipation. Low speed, high pressure is their area of dominance. UHMWPE (how high is high when it comes to molecular weight of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene? Maybe a couple million and up...) has abrasion resistance to die for, plus particle embedability, plus low surface energy that allows beautifully regular, thin, skived tape. Delrin has a high modulus of elasticity and can be precision machined like brass (even to responding to the same tooling angles for rake and clearance). Keep them thin for controlled deformation and higher conduction, confine them to low bearing velocities, remember they ain't metals, they are cute partners to metals - enjoy. Regards, Terrence

Hello all!!!
Just wanted to chime in and say that I really enjoy this forum and have learned alot by "lurking" in the background!! This is only my second post and I know I have alot to learn...If you see my first post, you will see that I have already "learned" how to spell "learned"!!!
Have A Great Day!! :cheers:
rt..

:cheers: Hello there. I am from Brazil and i am about to start to build my first CNC. I am just an inventor adicted an found this group. Amazing! I never though to have my own CNC. I think i will have success. Every help is welcome.

Thanks and sorry about my english.

Hello CNC goers,
I'm pretty new I guess, I think I'm about ready to start buying stuff for my first CNC, so maybe I'll get a project log up 'n goin' sometime soon. I do have questions though, but I'll start them in another thread
----------------
Personal quote goes here

Hi, I haven't posted yet because I am not really even into CNC yet. I have been trying to build a CNC mill for various projects I feel that could benefit from the use of one, but the problem I am encountering at the moment is I am trying to lower the quill of a drill press for the Z axis, but I am not sure how to do it. there is only a short threaded bar exposed on one side and the 3 arms on the other. was going to hook up a gear to the threaded section but not sure how to hold it in place. the threaded bar also has a slit in it that a flat pin could fit through, or something...

but apparently I wasn't one of the lurkers you were counting because I didn't even have an account here yet. which is fitting because I dont have a CNC mill yet. hopefully soon I will have some time to spend on it though.

NICK

Hey everyone, I just found this forum so I thought pop in and say HI.
I am Tim from Centerline, MI. I am a WIRE EDM guy, and have background in other methods of CNC machining. So, just wanted to intro myself and check out the board, it looks like a pretty active place which is kewl...

:cheers:
TC

Welcome to the site!

Hello all,
my name is jeff and i am a machine aholic just like everyone else on the site, ive been lurking around for a while now and really enjoy the site. I work at a Ford dealer in
Orlando Fl fixing blue ovals all day, and usually spend most of my off time thinking of
something to machine. i havent really posted too much because every question ive had is usually answered very thoroughly by others. I have a maxnc 10 and a minitech
mini mil2. i use bobcad v19 and mach 1 primarily to program. thanks again for the great site.

Well I guess I had better get my first post done too. I am new to this all and have been lurking for about a week now trying to learn both the CNC thingy and the site's layout. Boy what a wealth of information to take in.

I live in Enterprise, Alabama and am an aircraft mechanic here at Fort Rucker, the home of Army Aviation. I am retired from the US Army where I learned to work on helicopters. I am a R/C hobbiest and fly both airplanes and helicopters.

I am also trying to learn CAD. I have downloaded the freely availible TurboCAD Learning Edition (4.something) but I fear that I will not be able to learn on it since the tutorial didn't come with the download version. Guess I will have to break down and try to buy a copy.

I want to get invovled by building my first CNC machine to cut out parts for building airplanes using balsa and ply up to 1/4 inch. I also want to build a CNC foam cutter to do wing panels with.

I have been dreaming of flying a B-25 for a long time and have the plans for the 101 inch wingspan Nick Zirolli B-25. I think it would be just grand if I learned to scan in the plan parts, trace in CAD, then cut them all out on a CNC router machine. Yea, I know, I could just buy then for a few hundred dollars but I think if I did it this route I would have something else besides an airplane to show for my work and money.

Hi
My name is Mark. I work as a CNC programmer using MasterCam and found this site recently while taking an online course on parametric programming. I recognise a few people from the MasterCam forum.
The timing is great, I just bought a mini-mill cnc on E-Bay (haven't got it yet) and see a lot of useful information here. Will probably buy a lathe and convert it to CNC in a while. Just trying to figure out what I need, and maybe make a little money, too!

Mark

Welcome to the site!

Hi there! Welcome to the "noob" team! hehehe. I am starting this journey too and i hope we can help each other. I´m trying to build all the stuf with recicling parts, from old printers to used nylon plates. If you find a good PCB lay-out for unipolar steppers, let me know ok? I have an adress from PCBs, but i did not understood what PCB is better for me. Look for it in the "open source" seccion.

See ya!

Lurking for the last week or so. Joined a week or so ago... Can't stop reading and absorbing... I'm in southwest georgia, a packaging engineer by education, line supervisor, by trade. I'm always looking for new skills to add to my repertoire. This site is great!! Friendly help just a post away..... I'm still digesting all of the information already posted in preparation for my first cnc router table. I've never done machining of any kind, unless you count handwork to teardown the bearly functional, and build the nearly uselees, but highly amusing....

Hi all, my name's Ed and I'm in the Philippines. Have been lurking here and trying to get some ideas. I'm very interested in CNC routers as I've only seen them in big operation cabinet and door shops. There are quite a few number of small-scale door and cabinet shops here and I plan to be able to supply them with CNC Routers that has 24" x 36" and 36" x 60" capacity. Am also checking out 12"x36" 4-axis capability for balluster shops. Bedroom and kitchen renovations have been picking up and owners of these mom & pop cabinet shops that I've talked to listened intently but expressed concern for training and technical support.

I've contacted a company that makes CNC Routers btu they're not interested in opening an overseas branch. So, I guess I have to learn to build it and open a shop myself.

Great site!

I'm like Machine Ed, a newbie. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I love learning new things. Kraig

Howdy,

I'm also new to the site and CNC. I'm in the design stage of my CNC dremel. I have the stepper controller built (HobbyCNC kit) so I've got money in this thing now, better acctually build a machine! The machine will be used to make foam and/or wood patterns for my aluminum foundry. I'm a mechanical engineer, so the electric part is not nearly as much fun for me. IC's don't react well to my BFH!

Great site, keep posting so I can keep absorbing all the good ideas!

Do your machines, but try to automatize old machines, manual drillers, etc... that´s the start.

Good luck and let´s project together! I´m from Brazil and have not many helpers heare too. Lucky me to have this site, great frienda, great professionals, great teachers.

See you arround!

Ito-BRAZIL! :cheers:

Hello Kenbeth,
Where might you be picking up your diamond burrs?? I've been using a cheapy set from H.F. . There ok, but I've seen better. What info have you.
Thanks
Neil

Hello All,

I have been a lurker since May looking for the right machine to build. In June Patrick2by4 came up with that great aluminum tube Gantry header and I was on my way. Joined in July. I am now 90% finished with a 24" x 48" milling area. The HobbyCNC chopper board is assembled and wiring has started. At present I have about $2000 invested in my new hobby. Wish to thank all that have taken the time to write this forum with their ideas and plans it has been a great help to this newby.

Thanks,
Dan

Well, my projects are more "poor" in money, because i am trying to construct from trash, or better: my machines will be constructed from recicling parts, as i could. Of course the PCBs i will not fint there on trash. I still have no diamond burrs, my first projects are to make wood, aluminum and copper millings.
If you have some good PCBs that can get 3.1A let me knoe, ok? And if you know how to use the Computer POWER to the motors, please tell me.
ITO-BRAZIL!

I'm thinking of starting a part time home based cnc machine shop using a 3 axis retro (centroid) bridegport mill and a saw, investing the $4500 annual fee for mfg quote.com. Is there any body out there that can give me some input on mfg quote.com? Have you used it? Is it a rip off? Are we competing with slave labor quotes?

just a programming student now. Absorbing info when I can understand it.
Have you ran machines in the past?

there a is a forum around here about quote.com about a month ago. Every reply said they didnt make money off it :P I think of another way :)

*edit

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5979&highlight=quote.com

here the posts :)

also like to addon that i have never used it.So It still might be good but havnt seen many good things about it. But maybe that is the problem? :idea: if anyone says somthing good,that means more join and less money they make haha :nono: maybe you can talk them into giving you a month for free? if they dont even do that then they must just suck.

John
Another new member just starting out, I'm from Newcastle NSW Australia and trying to find local suppliers for my first router.

John
Another new member just starting out, I'm from Newcastle NSW Australia and trying to find local suppliers for my first router.

Welcome to the zone and try here- http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?name=Links&file=viewcategory&cid=17

howdy all. i am an employed aerospace machinist in phx az.
now for my next trick, stay that way. i enjoy forums, and some correct
answers now and then..hehe.....

Name is Greg I also answer to any other 4 letter word too. Live in West Texas ( armpit of the southwest) Auto mechanic by trade, Build race car chassis at night for fun. Long time lurker (sorry) 3rd post for me. Wanted to build a CNC plasma cutter to make parts for the chassis I build. A Newbie section would be nice as this site has way too much good info and can be intimidating for a Newbie. A newbie section would let them get there feet wet. At work when I am training a new pup (newbie) I can look over and see the lost look in there eyes , but in and beak the ice. The site needs as most do, an "ice breaker" to get them to post that first one and get them pointed in the right direction. One more thing "The only dum question is the one never asked" (unless you ask a mechanic how to speel) ;-)

Nice site
Thanks

Hi guys i am some steps aheaad from you. I am about to finish my first driver.
To start to imagine a machine, you guys must viit the PHOTO Gallerys and then go there:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5390&page=1&pp=5

Good luck and i hope see your macinhes soon! :cheers:

this is my third post as well.

as many of us have found, the amount of information out there is very overwhelming, so i posted a question trying to figure it all out, and after 4 days of waiting and no answers, i just kinda gave up on posting. i see a LOT of question threads with 0 answers. the information about this hobby is just SO disperse and hard to figure out. so, im just working on a few pages on my website that i will devote to explaining it all.

oh, and as far as an introduction, im a student but i also work full time as an audio/home theater salesman for a high end store. i do DIY audio projects as a hobby. im looking into doing a CNC machine to do more precise cases for my audio projects, and not have to outsource as much. here is some of the stuff ive done so far.

http://www.cowanrg.mesanetworks.net/projects/

Wow, cowanrg ! Nice job! You ar an artist!
Well, as you know i am new with this hobby too, but i am some steps ahead. What is your needs? My first ressearch finished, so i can help you with your first steps.

this is my third post as well.

as many of us have found, the amount of information out there is very overwhelming, so i posted a question trying to figure it all out, and after 4 days of waiting and no answers, i just kinda gave up on posting. i see a LOT of question threads with 0 answers.


Their is so many answers to question searching on this site is sometimes the best place to start. I would say that 85% to 90% of question do get answered not getting a reply in 4 day and giving up is not really giving the site a fair chance.
This site was created to create one place to get answers and help, IMO that is what we have here. This is a interactive environment and can only work on the contribution of everyones knowledge. To be honest I read through you're post and only saw one question, I think that may thrown some people off.

Sorry the site does'nt work for you.

Hi, I am an old (46 years old) programmer from back in the vic 20 C-64 all the way up to today. Assembler, pascal, clipper, C, etc. I own a printing company and I have just purchased a liquid despensing system to dispense urethane on the labels that we make.
The machine has no XYZ table and I am attempting to build one myself.
So far I have a computer set up with Mach2, I have a stepper3 plus1 from stepper3.com mounted in another old computer shell. I have been working on trying to learn Gcode and found a few places that had information about some of the codes but as yet I have not found a complete reference like a programming manual. I have a program called Gcode2000 that I use to run the code that I create so I can understand what is going on but I am a bit perplexed at the discription I have using the gcode "G03 counterclockwise arc cut" I understand the command using the R word but the I and J syntax is still not clear. AS I was working with it I thought the only way to make a circle cut was to make more than one arc, as the gcode2000 program converts a circle from autocad to a 4 line command making a circle out of 4 arcs. I now see a "G12 clockwise circle cut" command that was not listed on the Gcode listing I first ran across but the sheet I am looking at with this command has no information on the parameters or how the command works. Can anyone point me in the direction where I can find a complete listing with syntax and descriptions on how each Gcode instruction functions?

I expect to write a program that simply asks how many steps to make in the X and Y direction and what the spaceing is to generate a Gcode file that I can load into Mach2. So far I think I can use the Dwell Gcode combined with one of the the M code commands to trigger a relay that starts the pump. (the pump has a foot switch now and computer that dispenses from .1 mil at a specific rate up to many mil. So it will turn itself off at the proper time. I would like to get input from that controller back to MAch2 to adjust the feed rate or in this case dwell timing.

As you can see, I am just grasping at what I think will work given what I have learned so far. As usual though there are many ways to skin a cat so I am willing to explore any other recommendations.

The first machine I plan to make will just be a Y axis table. A sheet will be put on the table, a footswitch will cycle the mach2 program to despense and move the table. The last command will return the table to the starting position the sheet will be taken off and another cycle will start. Then an automatic take off will be added, then a gantry X position with perhaps a Z axis to pull the tupe that carries the liquid up a bit before the move.

This is fun stuff, as I wander out of the SOFT world and into the world of hardware. Now I have to do some research on how the heck transistors work so i can connect a relay to the stepper3 plus1 board that will controll the pump.

I'm researching for a business/hobby in northern MD area. I'd like to have both manual & CNC on the same machine, cutting hard stainless and titanium for jewelry design. Taig prides themselves as offering the only tabletop workhorse out there. I couldn't get answer if CNC and manual was possible though. Meanwhile, who's using "what-else" out there in tabletop-to-midsize machines meeting my workload criteria? rsvp,
-kpf

I am an automation Technician at an automotive parts manufacturer in Ontario Canada. I enjoy the work I do so much that I am considering building jgro's MDF machine to hobby with at home....oh no not another hobby.....must ...resist.....have to fight it.....tooo many hobbies not enough time.
I am sure you get the idea.
Jim

Hello,
I'm new to cnc just recently purchased a used Series II and am in the process of retrofitting it with an Ajaxcnc LCD console and steppers. I'm not sure if I am posting this in the right location. I apologize if not. My question is has anyone purchased a retrofit from Ajax and if so how was your experience. I ordered mine on Nov. 1 and was told 2 weeks or less. I called during the second week three times for a progress report and finally received a call back four days later. It seems no one is around to answer calls. I was told the unit would ship either the 15th or 16th. I asked to be emailed a tracking #. Today is the 21st and no email. I'm not bashing, but if your in business you should keep your word or at least keep your customers posted as to any sort of problems. Just wanted to be assured I had made the right purchase. Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks much, Mike

Hello everyone! Well, I got tired of trying to find stuff at the hardware store to adapt into parts for my projects so I went and bought a HF mini-mill and 7x10 lathe not knowing the least thing about machineing. (Looks like I have found another money pit...lol) Im into building animatronic props, tesla coils, and woodworking.

In my quest for knowledge I came across this forum which is proving to be a God send as I am finding answers to my noobie questions through the search function. I will undoubtably be posting once I gain some expierience start peeling the onion.

Cheers... Randyaz

In my quest for knowledge I came across this forum which is proving to be a God send as I am finding answers to my noobie questions through the search function. I will undoubtably be posting once I gain some expierience start peeling the onion.

Cheers... Randyaz

Welcome to the site we look forward to your post!

Hey randyaz:
Welcome to the Newbe team!
I had problems finding parts to my machine too. I founded ona kind of techno junkyard heare. Use your imagination to fing parts, like clothe cleaning machines, dishes machine etc. You will see that 99% is alreasy done, you need just to adapt... Printer parts are very useful too.
Good luck !

Hi my name is Jim I live in Phoenix Az I Have a small machine shop with a cnc mill and some other tools I also have a real job that I do disign work on solidworks I will be glad to be of help if I can

Hey guys, Im a noob too..... lol. My name is Brian, im from Oklahoma and was was inspired in CNC by Model Airplanes. Just didnt have the cash to shell out $500 for a box of already cut Balsa, so i figured I would just make my own kits. Well, for the money i have already spent on making my CNC router i could have bought 2 of those nice B-25 airplane kits.
I have just finished my first CNC 2 days ago and it was a success. However, there are alot of things i need to change in my next design. First being not to use MDF. Im sure it is great material to use, and i have seen alot of people use it, but i cant cut wood worth squat. Z Axis leans to the right a little lol.
Anyways, lots of info here and looking forward to learning everything you guys/gals can provide me. Thanks in advance, Brian

I am new to the forum and I currently dont own a CNC. I do have a little table top mill in my out building that has sat there for a while so I think I am going to retrofit. Any suggestions on software, motors, controllers, etc. My budget runs at about $300.

I am new to the forum also, I have been lurking in the shadows for some time now soaking up plenty of ideas. I plan on building a diy cnc router to cut out model boat parts for my hobby. If I searched long and hard around here I probably could come up with enough stuff to build several machines. My wife calls me a junk collector, I call it good usable stuff ( maybe not now but in the future ). I just need to sort thru it all and find out what will give me the results I want. Besides who really needs 27 EG&G 3515 servo motors with encoders.

Hi, I am new to the forum but have been into machining since I was 16 and am... well alot older now. ;) I have owned a CNC shop for a little over 6 years now and still am not bored... so with what little free time I have thought I would build a little home CNC. (just for the heck of it) Though it would be fun :) And while I am pretty good at the nc stuff the forum/chat thing is new to me so hope yall forgive the internet ignorance and look forward to chattin...
:D

Hey guys,
I'm also new to this forum.
Currently I'm building a cnc machine to engrave panels. Black paint on white plastic.
This forum and site is a welcome source for info.
Thanks all.

http://www.vaeq.com/images/assembly.jpg

Well guys, be welcome! I was new heare too about 4 months ago. My wife calls me Junk collector too. I am building a CNC from recicling materials, jusr screws and electronics components i bought. I´m about to finish it, so if you guys want some help, let me know, ok?
There is a good forum about stepper motors and driver boards, all opensource. Try to read frm the first message. I did is and found a trully treasure there. There is an opensourse servo driver started.
There is cool persons heare too that will be glad to help you all, like they did to me. I´m heare to send my knowledge to everyone who ask me too, so be welcome and i hope you all have success in this amazing journey that is to build a working robot called CNC!

all,
I'm a CNC newbie and have just been absorbing some of the information in the site.

Hey guys,
I'm also new to this forum.
Currently I'm building a cnc machine to engrave panels. Black paint on white plastic.
This forum and site is a welcome source for info.
Thanks all.


Nice machine, please start a build thread on it for us!

I live in Fair Oaks, California and am new to CNC. My goal is to learn enough about CNC to build my own fly fishing tools and reels. If anyone lives in the Sacramento, California area I would enjoy hearing from you. I was just given a Smitty 1220 XL from my brother [he never used it]. So this is the machine that I will begin my adventures with. My plans are to buy a Sherline lathe and mill as soon as possible. Probably in about three to four months; by this time I will have saved enough cash for the purchase. Glad to have joined the CNCZONE and I look forward to learning many new things. Remember, If anyone lives in the Sacramento, California area I would enjoy hearing from you. Thanks! cmallory@slakey.com

I am new to working with CNC. I have been involved in machining and making cutting tools for 30 years, but never with CNC. I have a benchtop mill from Industrial Hobbies that is ready to go. Now I have to learn how. Is there a specific thread that I can get on to ask questions? Thanks in advance for any help. It will be greatly appreciated.
Mmorton9

Student majoring in Machine Tool and a CNC operator. Here to try to get a head start.

I am new to working with CNC. I have been involved in machining and making cutting tools for 30 years, but never with CNC. I have a benchtop mill from Industrial Hobbies that is ready to go. Now I have to learn how. Is there a specific thread that I can get on to ask questions? Thanks in advance for any help. It will be greatly appreciated.
Mmorton9

Their are plenty of forums to ask questions just pick one :)

I suppose I'm one of the non-posters but this is probably going to change :). I had problems getting registration mail at yahoo, but then I figured out that yahoo filters cnczone messages with a spam filter :P


I have already built three CNC-routers. Fourth is under the way (actually a retrofit for a commerical mill).
http://www.students.tut.fi/~kontkant/

Nice website and machine you have their, great info. :)

Hello all My name is Tony I have been machinist and CNC Programmer for almost 20 years I work for Kays Engineering in Marshall Missouri we specialize in building Gun drills we build the DeHoff and Eldorado Line of Gun drills and also have a full Job Shop

I look forward to being a part of this community

hey- I have been posting and to everybody that hasnt yet.... dont be afraid to ask anything at all because chances are that you will get a good answer to almost anything within hours of posting your question. I am telling everybody about this site, its awesome!!!

Yo. :wave:

hey- I have been posting and to everybody that hasnt yet.... dont be afraid to ask anything at all because chances are that you will get a good answer to almost anything within hours of posting your question. I am telling everybody about this site, its awesome!!!


Very cool, I'm glad you like it.

Hey Rekd,

Just like Scott, followed over from the MC forum. Still checking everything out here. Awesome site. :D :D

As you can tell from my post count I’m not one to be shy. Or you might say I need a poke in the rib’s. I am new to CNC but very interested in the idea and have plans to build a machine in the next year or so. Gathering parts and getting great information from here. The more I read the more I change my ideas. I own a electronics related business so I will post what I can to that aspect. I have a friend who is a member here that told me about this site and I get ribbed by him to post, so I guess 2 pokes in the ribs will get me going. Thanks for a great forum. Just so much to digest and so little time. Keep up the good work. :cool:

This forum is a wealth of knowledge for this newby.
I'm a software designer with an electronics engineering education. Interested in creating some printed circuit boards and want to give PCB milling a go. Am looking to assemble a router from pre-built parts and do some trial mills.
Thanks for the welcome!

Hi All
Just wanted to get at least one post !
I have a small CNC shop (one man operation) with a JIMA lathe,Burgmaster VMC and a HNC lathe with AH-HA control in Louisiana. Also do service work in the area.

Hi there,

Fair enough, I have been shamed into making my first post here. I am not a machinist, but rather a tinkerer, and I work in controls and instrumentation so this is somewhat of a natural for me. I don't have much to add to the discussions here, but I'll definitely be lurking in the background. I have a lot to learn, and I appreciate the patience that is shown here with beginners like myself. The problem is that there are so many interesting projects, and so little time!

Doug

Hi everyone,
I'm just writing to give a word of encouragement to anyone who hasn't posted yet. You may be just sitting back, feeling dumb, trying to learn as much as possible about cnc stuff HOWEVER just about everyone has at least one particular area of expertise that, if used to help answer someone's question, can only be benificial to this site. Sometimes you're going to make a mistake or two. I've done that a couple of times here but it's no big deal. No one's going to grill you over it (particularly if you've got the ..... to admit it later). Don't be abrasive in your answers or a know-it-all either as that helps nobody. There are only one or two of those types here and just watch the responses they get. If you have a question, first do lots of reading and research here as in most cases it has already been delt with. You'll find that the "search" function on this site works very well. If you can't find what you're after with "search", then don't be afraid to ask. When you consider what you take out of this site in the form of knowledge, then to put back 5% in the form of helping others here is a reasonable thing. In my case for example I'm relatively strong mechanically but rather "challenged" (dumb in old speak) electronically. Of late I've done as best as I could to answer a question or two on mechanical stuff. The other day came the time to ask a "how to" question regarding an electronic circuit as I was lost. I dropped Abasir a quick PM even though I don't know him from a bar of soap. Ten minutes later he dropped me a circuit diagram that even I could understand. That's the "receive" that comes from "giving". Lastly, don't forget to say "thanks" when someone takes the time to answer your question. That takes all of 2 seconds and shows that person you appreciate their effort they put in. You'd be surprised how many people don't bother to do that which seems rather rude to me. There are a lot of people here who put in a lot more time than I do answering the questions of others so a quick "thanks" is always in order.
Skippy

Hi Everyone

Yes I lurk mostly in here but I do enjoy seeing people with the same interests. I am a CAD/CAM Jewelry Designer and have been designing dies for the jewelry industry for 20 years. Most of my dies are for plastic injection. These injections are then used in the "lost wax" process of jewelry creation. I use a Roland CAMM3 2 1/2 axis mill which uses printer code instead of G code. I know, I know but printer code works great for what I do. My software is an old DOS version of Smart Cam and OneCNC for Windows XP. It's nice to know that if I ever have any CNC questions.......I can always come here.

I'm a new guy.... so hello.

I'm about to be a junior in electrical engineering. However, I enjoy the machine aspects of mechanical much more. I've played with basic mills and lathes, but it's very limited, so I set out to learn more about them. I'm much more interested in the CNC aspects of them which has led me here.

I never realized there was a site of this size about this material.

Just wanted to say hi. Nice site and a lot of info here. Hope to add some of my own.

Howdy yall. This forum looks pretty good so far. I thought I would introduce myself so......My name is matt, 28 years old and live on the east coast of central Florida. Ive been in the trade for 5 to 6 years. I started out learning from my brother at the shop he worked at. We made just about anything any one wanted so long as it wasnt to large of a part. We had two Mazak mills, A Mazak Lathe two lathes and about 5 bridgeports. Well about a year ago I accepted my current position running a shop that produces driveshafts for boats, sizing from1.125" to 2.5" in diameter up to 10 feet long.We have A mazak lathe and mill and a fadal mill. I am quite versatile on a mazak but have very little g-code experience. So that is one area I hope to utilise this site for. Look forward to discussion with all yall.peace

Morning all,
I have been lurking here for a few days and thought I would say Hi.

I have been out of the business and doing computer stuff for the last 20 years, I served my time as an apprentice Tool & Die maker back in the late 70's in Michigan. Also worked in the DOE plants in the 80's making high precision tools and gages. I have been missing the creative juices generated by making chips and have recently picked up 7X10 lathe and a Taig mill with CNC. I am planning on building a CNC router in the very near future, and have already gathered some of the components.

This looks like a great bunch and a huge amount of info flowing around. I am looking forward to all the great chit chat about this hobby.

Question to anybody with similar problem. We machine quite frequently composition board in our CNC machine. Removal of the fine dust is our problem. Larger chips get vacummed out but that fine/powder like dust gets everywhere. We thought about enclosing the whole unit but seemed more difficult to do. So, has anyone else had or approched this situation?

Hello, everyone!

I have been lurking here on and off for a long time, and I finally decided I wanted to contribute when appropriate.

Very nice atmosphere in this forum - keep up the good work, everyone!

Hello Everyone-
I'm afraid that I'm one of the newbie lurkers too. I have a background in electronic controlls (mainly PLC's and the such) and I work as an electronics technician in the semiconductor industry. I have some limited machining experiance, and the cnc side of things really interests me. It is more of a hobby then anything for me right now, and I am really appreciative of all the knowledge in one spot. Keep up the good work, and who knows, maybe there will be something that I know about and can actually add something to the forum eventually. Thanks!

I'm not exactly new but I'm not what I think would be considered a regular, I post a few things but to be honest I have so many projects that I work on that people might get the impression that I'm trolling from all the different questions.

I've been using Autocad for around 17 years so far (mostly building services), I also do a bit of subcontract work on electrostatic precipitators (consulting).

My main hobbies are electronics, woodworking, metal working (Total novice), trying not to irritate the wife, and rough camping.

I only get around 3 days a week to work on projects mainly due to the long daily commute to work each day (3 hours round trip) and usually end up doing a bunch of things on multiple projects on those days.

I live in Custer Kentucky work in Louisville Kentucky, love the environment, hate talking about politics and have no kids.

Here in Quebec, Canada. Used to be a high-perf mechanic before CTS problems. Worked as a computer specialist after that and gained very usefull knowledges thru all this... Now, I wish the machine can do more for me so I do more automation these days... cnc being one of the top projects. I also cast aluminum sometimes in my small foundry.

Well, thanks to you guys who make up this interesting content! Keep up the nice work, you'll soon see the reflect of the knowledge I gained here in the machine I'm building.

Can't fix that damn palm zire71 so I can't take pictures at the moment... when you think about the price I paid for this it disgust me... no wonder I want to build my own machine! Those I can always fix! Well, kind'of... hehe

Para

From Québec, Canada too (Hi Parameter! :wave: ).

running my own CNC router services for about near a year now. Been programing and operating 3 axis CNC tool for the last 8 years or so; from water jet, plasma, laser and now router.

Joined the CNC zone since about a few weeks now (been lurking since about 6 month before subscribing); reading, reading, reading... reading again... enjoying all posts from so many interesting peoples!

I plan to recycle some parts for a maybe someday DIY CNC project... I mainly read about electronics thoses days on this VERY COOL site (forum)! :cheers:

So Hi to everyone and I'll be around for a moment! ;)
________________________________________

www.cooptel.qc.ca/~usinum

This is actually my 3rd post, but still, I consider myself a lurker.
I don't have much experience in machining and mechanics.
Been working as a xerox machine repairman, and have learned some mechaics from that. I'm mostly into electronics and microprocessors, where I'm mostly self educated. I have built a CNC device of sorts, but it was more of a means to test my electronics and not the other way around, as I guess most of you do.
Not counting basic tools like thread taps and some other tools, this "machine" was built from solely scavenged parts, salvaged from outdated and scrapped copiers, and some scrap plexiglas.

It's really a horribly bad machine, and can not be used for anything besides verifying that the electronics and software is working.

From hat I have learned from this website, I can say that I made ALL the mistakes.

My next attempt is going to be a gingery style metal lathe, and after that, I think I'll try to make a CNC controller/driver microchip that can read GCode on the fly.
When I have that (somewhat) nailed down, it's going into the CNC MK2, wich is going to me MUCH better then my current apparatus, wich is unable to find it's way home after just a few operations ;)

As I live in Norway, I am almost cut of from the great part-source called ebay (US shipment only). Therefore I'ts going to be a low-quality device compared to your standards, but a great leap by my standard.

As I have already mentioned, i find this spot on the web to be a great well of knowledge, both in mechanics and electronics and would like to give my praise to the webmaster, in part, but mostly to the contributors to this webpage.
Some day in the future, I might be able to contribute myself, as I live by the "learning by doing" philosophy. I just need to do more, to learn more :)

Hello All, thnx first of all for this forum as I know I am going to be asking as well as answering lots of questions in the future!

I recently took a position in a job shop atmosphere after running production CNC Mills and lathes for the past 15 years. This is a whole new world to me but I know its what I want to do! Not only is the atmosphere different but so is the programming as I have stepped right in the middle of a Mazak shop. I have programmed using Mastercam and Unigraphics and a lil bit of Catia...and have operated with Fanuc, Okuma and Seimens controls..but who knew programming with conversational could be so KEWL?!?!?!?
Any help with Mazatrol would be greatly appreciated, especially the lathe end.

I will try to help out as much as I can on the other machines I have ran in my career..just lemme know if I can be of any assistance.

Thnx, KEV

Hello All :)

Newbie from denmark , been lurking around for a couple of days now.
just in the planning fase of a router approx.
1200 X 600 X 150mm(i'm not good with inches :frown: ) i think i got the mechanics down ok , but i'm a bit short on the electric area , so i hope to learn from you guys.

Great "Zone" :)
almost making my brain overload with idéas :idea:

Well here goes my First post, and a big hello to every one, at moment i have been reading alot on this site, tryin to learn, I am looking at making a CNC milling machine over the next 2 months at moment still getting data together and hoping to pul something off very soon :)

Hi all,
What a great site, so much information. I own a small machine shop (Haas cnc mill, Cnc Lathe & standard manuals) and mosty do small production and prototyping. I really like reading all solutions being provided and the ingenuity on this site. I have known about this site for about 3 years and have finally decided to join and post because I would like to adapt a laser to my Haas cnc mill to do some engraving and cutting panels (I have been reading Cadmin's laser project, I think I need to tallk to you). If anyone has done this I would appreciate any info.
I have been a machinist and programmer since 85 and I will try and contribute if I can. If anyone from this site needs some unusual machining services to get your cnc projects up and running, I would try and be availiable at a low rate. (not looking for more work really just trying to help). I enjoy solving things, I think that is why I enjoy reading on this site.

Bob Flores
Modern Machine Technologies
mmtech@chartermi.net

Hi there, I'm an engineer in an automotive supplier plant. After hearing so much gloom and doom about manufacturing jobs I'm glad to see that there are still lots of people interested in machining.

well this is what we call a cottage industry....as soon as they offshore all the jobs....they'll come back to us.....cause guess what, we know how to get things done without have some "numnut CEO" telling us how to make things happen. I have to say that the people in this forum are "quite amazing and resourceful"!!!

What I like here is the diversity. Some (like me) are slow and new ...others are geniuses. (19 year old kid making a wankel engine for example).

HONEST opinions such as different CAD/CAM programs and discussing strong and weak points that salespeople never discuss make the top 10. (I'm 20 minutes from Mastercam).

People, (in my opinion), reaching for the impossible or further than design functions looking for MACHINING finishes normally reserved for grinding or polishing (or was that what they were told when the machine was purchased)

Machining tidbits from those are paid attention to (why re-invent the wheel.) I have been working with Nitroloy and 4130 steel so anything from others as to machining I can utilize is locked onto.

Having come from "Mastercam Country", this site was my first exposure to Onecnc (buying my ticket to downunder!!)

Trying to get caught up to the new century... (Who would think that a guy in the US could help a guy in Thailand overnite, free of charge, to repair a wire that an animal chewed through.) At a website (website was a word unheard of 30-40 years ago)

This site has been useful in helping people not waste their money. I may be incorrect but MYQUOTE has not provided any meaningful results for anyone.

I tripped over AJAX at this website and at some point in the near future I plan a roadtrip to ensure what thy say is what they do. I have a Bridgeport and wish to update the control.

Good thing I'm single......on this ^%%$#& site 2-3 times a day.

Cuz
Machinest
Hi there. I am a 39 yr. machinest that loves woodworking. I am currently building
a CNC router. I know nothing about CNC machines or how to program them. I have
the BoBcad Cam 2.0 and the Bob Art Pro with teaching cd's but I need to know if I
need some other kind of sofware to tell Bobcad what to do . I'm useing 200 oz-in
steppers,pulling 10 tpi acme screws. Every axis is on lineir bearings. Also I have a
Omega compressor vaccum pump with 10 Hg and 53 cfm's, with a 5 hp. motor. Is this
large enough to form a vaccum hold down for violin plates and guitar backs and tops?
Please guy's if anyone can help me I would be greatful.
Thanks Cuz

Okay Let me stand and introduce myself
Hi I am Joe and I am an alcoholic....... wait this isnt the right forum for that.
Anyways I am from Hawaii, and just recently started to wipe the dust off the machines I have bought in order to try to learn them, unfortunately I am having the worst luck in the world, I just dont get it - i know what I want to do I just still cant figure out how to get there, when i bought the machines about 6 months ago I also purchased BobCAD, now at first I though - man did I get taken - but after some time on the phone with BobCAD, I have to admit - they are dedicated to costomer support and making sure things are right, for that i would recomend them to anyone, as for the software i am slowly learning it (anyone wanna become my advisor?) So I live in hawaii and wanted to use my machines for a variety of things, engraving, making parts for a radio controlled Jet Ski project, i also have a vacuum form molder, and am looking for a benchtop injection mold machine, but I need to learn the software before I can get to that, so anyone who wants to help a newbie, feel free to message me anytime - I am running BobCAD 20.5 on a spectraLight Mill
thanks
Joe

Hello Joe, welcome to CNCZONE family!
That´s OK you have some adictment, when you get the joy of CNC thinkg, all old addictments will be past.
I started slowly too, it takes time. Now that you have the hadrware, try some other softwares, or try tutorials.
Start at easy parts to build.
I´m starting vacuum forming now, I´m trying to build a table, try something new...
Well, take wekcome, keep trying and good luck !!!!!!!
Ito-Brazil~.

Hello all

I am a newb when it comes to CNC mach. I started looking at CNC Routers about a year ago because I build custom computer cases and was wanting an easier way to cut windows and such. I am also looking at an easier way to etch cut plexiglass. I know that it can be done with a CNC. Im just trying to glean info at the momment trying to figure out what would be best for me, I have seen mills that use specialized routers and have seen them that have a dremmel hanging in the hasp so im througly confused and trying to learn before i take the plung.

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

CSmith0413

Hi , my name is Brian, I live in WI, I found this forum tracking down parts for a CNC plasma cutter my friend asked me to build. I'v been a controls technician since '97 working with PLCs and proprietary controls in the scale, instrumentaion, and water/waste water fields. Oh yeah and I was an apprentice electrician under my dad until about '92.
So any suggestions on software and controllers?

Hi folks
I have just been member here and yesterday I got an old Emco tronicM1 F1P CNC mill.
The screen is deffect but I manage to jog the axis. So I hope to bring it up to good condition with good help from you guys. Seems like there is a lot of creative and clever people here. I work as engineer use Pro engineer and Edgecam. Programming ABB robots and CNC.

Greetings all,

I have been lurking around for a while now. I try to live by Mark Twain's rule when it comes to forums.
"Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt". -- Mark Twain

I am an artist of sorts and have been interested in CNC for a number of years now. I am planning on building a CNC router to help figure out how all this stuff works. I am thinking that it would be pretty cheap/easy to build a gantry style unit using black pipe and linear bearings, if I could figure out a cheap way to make them.

I would love to meet a mentor in the Charleston area who can teach me some of the finer points by having me sweep up bits and oil machines on the weekends.

Scott

Hello everyone

I just picked up a Bridgeport last week for $400 and other than a half inch of dried grease covering the whole machine, it seems to be in good shape.

I am a knife maker and i bought it so i could start making auto folders. It has a 2J head but i dont know what the differencr is between a series 1 and a series 2 so any info would be helpfull. Also it was dropped "slowly" and the y axis screw is a little bent at the handle but it still seems smooth and i can move it all the way forward and back. I am planing on cleaning it up and eventually converting it to CNC. I built a CNC controller for my taig mini mill using stepper moters but i dont think that is the way to go with the bridge port.

By the way, I am the Director of Engineering for a metal fab shop in Milwaukee Wi. I have been designing using 3D modeling for the last 15 years and i still do alot of programing for our 2 Mitsubishi Lasers. Its nice to have access to tons of scrap structural steel.

I am looking forward to learning from you guys.


Thanks
Michael


www.AdamMichaelKnives.com

I looked at your website and I am very impressed by your work. Your knives are works of art.
I look forward to seeing your future work, especially those folders.

Scott

Thank you, that is very nice of you to say. Niw, if i could only figure out the difference between a series 1 and a series 2 bridgeport......

Thanks
Michael

www.AdamMichaelKnives.com

Great forum , with a diverse , creative bunch of CNCrs. I bought a shopbot before I discovered this site, ( a good machine ) but I already have ideas and plans to improve it based on info here and my own experience thus far.

Anyone know if there is a CNC users group in the Sydney, NSW, Australia area?

enjoy the site immensely. I purchased the store window channel plans from John K. I made one but wasn't real satisfied with the results. Mostly my doing. I'm working on a hobbyist gantry model now.

Hi all
Usually the answers to questions have been answered (to my best capability) before I have an oppertunity to contribute. Very interesting reading and I enjoy this site.
I've been running CNC for 16 years - started on wire cuts, moved to mills.
Dynapath, Fanuc and Hiedenhain controllers on Mitsiu Sieki, ZPS, Bridgeport, Milltronics, DeVlieg and Elox. Programming with Cimatron and my index finger.
I have putz on a CMM but a software upgrade ended that episode.

Hi everyone,

I finally hit a snag which forced me to finally post a question, regardless of my fear of sounding like a complete idiot. Actually, I don't just sound like it- apparently i am the real deal. Great site, great bunch of folks. I look forward to posting some more questions in the near future.

Best,
Ryan

Hi, I'm new here. Really interested in CNC machines of all types. Would like to make a CNC machine of my own some day. Hope to pick up a lot of info/tips from everyone here. A little background on myself, Machinist 17 years, completed 4 year apprenticeship as Tool & Die Maker and recieved my journeyman certification in same, Leadman and CNC programmer in tooling department of major corporation. Programming responsiblities include Machining Centers, CNC lathes, and Wire EDM.

Thanks

hello Rekd this is my first post, however I know nothing about cnc so any post from me would not be very helpful to anyone. I am a retired toolmaker and admire the quality of some of the metal work of fellow members what I would have no trouble making
I am trying to educate myself on cnc through this and other forums, there may be many others in the same boat as me who are uneducated with all aspects of cnc
Regards Mal

Hi everyone! :cheers:

I was googling for info about a vmc we are looking to purchase and ran across the cnczone forum. Wow...huge forum. Nice.

I'm involved with gensets (hence the handle), computers, industrial networking, electrical and mechanical of all types.
So I will try to help out in those areas whenever I can.
An opportunity arose for me to go into business and now I'm back to making chips after a 14 year break from machining. I learned cnc on early fanuc controls and some old punch tape machines. So the chip sweeper title is very appropriate!

I have been lurking for a few weeks now. Great site! In fact, just last night I posted my first question. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14608 I just came across this thread today in the "daily posts" section. Hopefully, I can glean enough info to get my machine working.

I would like to say that one of the reasons I waited to post here (and other forums, such as metalmeet.com) is that on forums I had looked at in the past, people were discouraged from posting questions until they had searched all previous posts ten times, jumped up and down, turned around, put their shoe on their head, ate 2 slices of bread, ran around the block, etc... I guess this is to reduce the number of times that a question needs to be answered. Quite often, I am able to find an answer to my questions by doing that, so I don't post my question.

It's nice to know that if I do ask a question, even a dumb or repeat question, I won't be bombarded with "did you do a search first?"

Thanks,
Dave

I,m glad I found this web site. It's good to see people here helping people do what they love most, building stuff. I am planing to design a 4x8 cutting area 3-5 acess router to assist me in making molds and cutting carbon fiber as well as many other matereals. I am currently doing these tasks by hand using templates and free guided tools. I am looking foward to talking with you all in the near future. Till then, build on.

Hi

Machining is my trade and has been for close to 17 years now. Took the average route "Manual lathes, mills, & drills". Went to NC, CNC; then programming. Worked in plastics to exotics. And now here I am:) I like macro style for mass production and cad assist for the job shop 1sy 2sies. Im big into computer hardware. Actually closer to a sickness then a hobby:D. Soooo... I look forward to being a part of this forum group.

Thanx
Eq

Hi,

I have been checking out the boards for a couple weeks and this is all very cool.

I have been in the trade for 11 years, For the last 6 years I have worked at a shop that has close to 100 CNC machines(Mori Seiki, Haas, Hitachi Seiki, Hitachi, Makino, Toshiba, Quantum, Mazak). I am very familiar with Vertical and Horizontal mills and lathes.
I basically work in a "floater" position and move around from mills to lathes getting jobs set-up.
We mostly do Semi-Conductor work but have been spreading our customer base to other areas.

Hi,
New to the CNC world. I use Bobcad to program a Fagor controller on a motionmaster 5 axis CNC router. We use it to cut kits of our plastic honeycomb material for boat use. This seems to be the place to go to get some great tips.
Brad Withrow