First i'd like to say hey to everyone, i just joined this forum after searching for CNC info on google.

I've actually am interested in this kind of stuff because of computer modding. Lots of people do some pretty amazing dremel work, but i'd really like to step it up a notch.

This is gotta be pretty n00bish on here, but i'm definatly interested in building a CNC. I'm not sure the real difference in cnc routers and cutters. i can imagine what they do, but i dont know what differences they have in their construction.

i was wondering if anyone would mind either posting or pointing me to an existing thread on building either a cnc router or cutter?

I would love to have one of these in my garage for cutting my own parts and designs. Things i'm interested in learning about doing this is what kind of time is involved in building something like this? what are the general costs? what level of difficulty would you rate a project like this, and finally, what materials would i need? and of course if'd need some simple instructions on both the building and the use of something like this.

I've erad a bit on the software, so far i've read that you can use cad to design the part and a second program to translate it to the cnc.

again, i'm sure this is pretty n00bish, but i'd really really appreciate the help here. Also if anyone does have some easy to follow DIY guides, i have a computer modding site that i maintain that i know a lot of modders would be interested in seeing this stuff, so if your interested i can definatly throw the information up on there as well.

thanks for the time.

into computers, can't use search?... :)

there's not that many threads here in the DIY part, can just read them all! (lots of wrothy info :) ). But search for the JGRO (even has its own sticky thread), and "Joe's CNC Model 2006".

well i mean i've seen a number of threads where people are building their own CNCs, i just wanted to know if anyone would give me some info around that, and breif overview of what goes into building one of these things.

well i mean i've seen a number of threads where people are building their own CNCs, i just wanted to know if anyone would give me some info around that, and breif overview of what goes into building one of these things.
...ummmm... and I mean, that's exactly what you'll get from the forums already around here. :) ...so much info, you can get a crystal clear picture of what's required to build these things. Search engine is your friend. JGRO has a top level forum...

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=300

...the plans are linked there, and everyone that's built or building one is in there.


The "Joe's CNC 2006" is a little more involved for an improved design... but once again, there's a ton of info out there. :)

Hi. Welcome to the zone. :)

Im in Ireland and Im not around that long either but I've thus far found this site a fantastic resource of information and experience on topics not all directly cnc related (Welding, Casting etc etc).

I'm building my first machine from the solsylva plans which a couple of people have done. You can see the thread here:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21411

JoesCNC pages mentioned above are really good too. Im glad I got plans to start my first machine because theres a lot for a total noob to take in, but they're by no means necessary. Browsing this site for a few weeks I learned the various parts and mechanisms of a basic machine. A bit of common ability with tools and you could design/build your own from scratch, which is my plan for my next two machines. I haven't built my 1st one yet so I cant offer 'experience' just opinions. It can be as cheap or expensive as you want depending upon your requirements (Size, ridgid-ness, etc). The motors and drivers plus a computer to run it all from are a necessary expense that cant be made cheaper, but the table could be wood, steel, aluminium pre-formed framing etc giving huge differences in price.

Im building my first one from wood as per the plans (Although someone here on the zone with the same plans has adapted them to use metal). The plans cost me $25. I picked up a desktop computer for €15 ($22). And Im buying a stepper motor kit from 'HobbyCNC' for about $250. Plus wood and EMT (Metal tubing) and the threaded rod I suppose will run me less than $350. Im buying a Bosch laminate trim router for $100 on amazon. Thats about it excluding software which goes from the free programs online, right up to the $20,000 commercial programs.

Hope this helps,

Please keep us informed of how your going. :)
L8rs.

thanks some some of the input guys. i plan to continue to scour the forums. at the moment i want to finish on a computer modding project before i start building the CNC, but this is definatly something that i'd love to do.

btw, if anyone is into computer modding, i have my pc worklog on a thread here...
http://fusionmods.net/?theCase=viewThread&threadID=33&catID=6

i think i wanna purchase a DIY guide, i've seen a couple of places that sell them, but with my extremly limited experience i'm not sure what one i should aim for. i want something that can cut aluminum sheets up to 1/16" thick. and i'd like it if it could handle sheets with about a 2ft x 2ft size. the main thing i'd like to use these for are cutting custom fan grills and designs into side panels of computers. if that helps describe how i should go about this at all?

like i said, i'd love to build one of these, but i'm still extremly inexperienced so if anyone knows off hand a decent DIY guide that will allow me to build a cnc router that can do that, i'd love to know where to go :)

i think i wanna purchase a DIY guide, i've seen a couple of places that sell them, but with my extremly limited experience i'm not sure what one i should aim for. i want something that can cut aluminum sheets up to 1/16" thick. and i'd like it if it could handle sheets with about a 2ft x 2ft size. the main thing i'd like to use these for are cutting custom fan grills and designs into side panels of computers. if that helps describe how i should go about this at all?

like i said, i'd love to build one of these, but i'm still extremly inexperienced so if anyone knows off hand a decent DIY guide that will allow me to build a cnc router that can do that, i'd love to know where to go :)

dude, you've already found it! :)

...but if money is burning a hole in your pocket and you absolutely must pay for plans, here's a couple of links:

http://solsylva.com
http://www.crankorgan.com

...there's also plans on ebay, and all of the JGRO, and "Joe's 2006" stuff in here. I haven't seen the paid-for plans/instructions, but I find it hard to believe that it can stack up to the info in this forum, and simply searching, reading, and absorbing everything you can.

The info in this site will also show what it takes to make machines faster, or more accurate, and everything in between. It'll show you stuff that may not come with machine X's instructions.


...I was going to shell out for plans too until I found this forum. :)

Machines made from wood will cut some aluminium, but really you should be thinking of making your machine form metal if cutting metal is your starting point. Better to have a machine thats over spec'd at the start than one that turns out not to be rigid enough to do the job.

Check out DataCut...

i'm checkin it out right now and i like what i'm seein so far.

also i wanted to ask, what amkes the difference in cutting metal vs wood? is it simple in the rougher or does it go into the entire cnc design? i first assumed it was simply the capability of the router, but i think i'm finding it to be otherwise.

ok i think i'm startin to grasp how CNCs work physically, but how do you interface them with your computer? are drivers needed? and what kind of software do you use? I think i saw somewhere that you use auto cad them i think a program with the word CAM in it to convert it to something the CNC can read. would anyone mind going into a just a littl emore detail for me on that?

ok i think i'm startin to grasp how CNCs work physically, but how do you interface them with your computer? are drivers needed? and what kind of software do you use? I think i saw somewhere that you use auto cad them i think a program with the word CAM in it to convert it to something the CNC can read. would anyone mind going into a just a littl emore detail for me on that?

It seems that you really are putting in no effort at all to go through the forums already on cnczone. :)

CNC machine uses stepper motors --> stepper motors use controller boards --> controller boards connect to parallel cable --> parallel cable connects to PC, and software drives the machine from there --> this software interprets G-Code that is the tool path description --> other CAM software generates the G-Code from various 3D files --> use other software to make the 3D files.

It seems that you really are putting in no effort at all to go through the forums already on cnczone. :)

CNC machine uses stepper motors --> stepper motors use controller boards --> controller boards connect to parallel cable --> parallel cable connects to PC, and software drives the machine from there --> this software interprets G-Code that is the tool path description --> other CAM software generates the G-Code from various 3D files --> use other software to make the 3D files.

i have been going through this site, all i asked was about the software that is commonly used. I didn't know if CAM was the real name or just the type, just like CAD, i know theres a bunch of different flavors of it out there.

Most use Mach3 to control their machines. www.artofcnc.ca

hey guys thanks for the help and tolerance to someone so completly new to this stuff. i do beleive i'm getting a firm grasp on whats involved and i'm startin to put together the mechanics of it all. It's pretty clear to me that i dont understand enough to build one of these things yet but hopefully this can be a project i begin working on over christmas break. i think that by then i may have enough of an understanding to put one of these guys together.

The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. Its no problem. the purpose of online forums is to give people all over the world access to others with similar interests who know more or less than themselves. :)

Hi faceless one!

Dredging through the forums is by far the best way to gain information, but be prepared to invest some time. And, it tends to by somewhat of an overload, so decide what you want to know first, then go see if it's out there (e.g. today I'm researching stepper motors and how to decide which size to use). As previously stated, this site's search function is pretty powerful.

If you don't mind a few tons worth of reading, NC Cams posted a great list is a thread named FAQs (Motion Transmission, Acme, Ball, Allthread Screws, Cogs, Belts, bearigns, etc.) (http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22020), in the General mechanical/Engineering Design section. Well worth it.

I also became interested in CNC due to PC modding (busy struggling through my first machine), but seems there's really a lot that can be done with a properly assembled beast. Are you into a specific kind of mod?

Faceless,

To help others understand your level of knowledge, etc might help to know your experience level? Feel from your comments, webpage etc that you are VERY young, soph high school???

lol i'm actually in college, just about 22 years old and work full time as a web developer.

My level of experience is pretty near 0 aside from a basic knowledge of what makes a cnc, and roughtly how it's contorlled.

i have no working knowledge though, and thats some of the information i'd like to find. i actually just purchased some plans today for a CNC, it's not going to be top quality but i think a good starter one and great for me to gain some knowledge off of.

What plans did you get faceless if u dont mind me asking? I ordered the HobbyCNC kit today so I can get started on my first wood router as per the Solsylva design plans.

i got these plans on ebay, i liked the machine and i liked the cuting area, i forget th elink but he had some samples of him cutting 1/8 inch aluminum which is great since the main thing i want to be able to work on it 1/16 inch aluminum