Hi all, I'm new here and really don't know where to start.

I'm looking to build a desktop CNC machine capable of cutting thin aluminum - the kind you might find at Home Depot or Lowes - up to 1/8", wood, etc. I have absolutely no CNC experience. What open-source DIY mill, with easily obtainable materials, would be right for me?

Thanks

Hi all, I'm new here and really don't know where to start.

I'm looking to build a desktop CNC machine capable of cutting thin aluminum - the kind you might find at Home Depot or Lowes - up to 1/8", wood, etc. I have absolutely no CNC experience. What open-source DIY mill, with easily obtainable materials, would be right for me?

Thanks

There is a ton of information in here that could help you, But you need to figure out what type of budget you have and what kind of space you have to work with. IMHO i like joes Hybrid machine or even his 2006 machine. I would start out by doing a search in the forum. Like i said there is a tone of information here and the people are very good at what they do. Just search and ask. Welcome to the forums.

You're not joking about there being a ton of information! That's actually why I posted. I was reaching information overload searching through posts trying to find something I could understand.

Regarding budget, I would like to keep materials below $75 excluding motors and cutting tool. I could probably double that if necessary. As far as size goes, I don't really want to go bigger than 24" x 30". Preferably somthing similar in size to a Sherline mill with a 10" or 12" base.

Look at the MDF machines, although $75 might not make it.

With space being a consideration, I was looking into building something similar to a Sherline. Believe me, I've done a lot of looking and he only one I've found that looks about the same size is this one on instructables (http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-Build-Desk-Top-3-Axis-CNC-Milling-Machine/). Does anyone have any suggestions for something similar that I would at least be able to cut thin sheet metal or aluminum with?

Thanks

That looks pretty small. I didn't read it, but looks to me like about 6" x 8" maybe cut area. If that suits your needs, go for it. You will learn a lot building that first machine.

$75 seems a really small budget when you take lead screws and bearings into consideration. Building materials will be a insignificant amount of budget compared to motors, drivers and software (if you are going the mach3 + vcarve route).

I've got all the parts to build a small table and I've spent $70.

here is my current list.

$30 MDF 4 x 8. This is more then enough to do the table size I want. 15" x 20". Keep in mind I'll have some extra to do samples.

$10 found some skate bearnings on sale for 16 of them.

$25 metal rods.

$10

I'm building my cnc based off of build your cnc. These price don't include the fact that I already have a few cnc routers, saws, table drill bits etc.. which of course if I had to by them the price would be way high!