Just started building a small CNC

[razzledog]

Hi Guys... I have decided to construct a small 1 meter by 600mm 3 axis CNC. So far I have organised the bed frame from 125mm x 8mm aluminium channel and settled on 16mm hi tensile Samson rods for driving (what I call) the 'bridge' supported by 6202 ball bearings in plates at each end. I have set a goal to have this machine up and going by Christmas this year

A couple of questions I have....
1. Should I use a stepper for each lead screw or connect them via a toothed belt to a single motor?
2. Will a decent motor have enough grunt to turn the screws?
Thought I'd get the mechanics sorted out first and worry about the electronics later.

I realise it's a steep learning curve, although I have successfully turned a wood lathe into a metal lathe and made a small mill by fitting a cheap Ozito router to my drill press, although usually I only build cameras.

[crocky]

Hi,

You could use either/or stepper motor/s for the X-axis.

1 is cheaper but only for the cost extra board it would take to drive 2.

Mine is driven by one screw down the centre of the lower part of the gantry. I would probably pick two stepper motors and use rack and pinion to drive your gantry so you will need a four stepper set-up if that's the way that you go.

Where in Aus are you!

Cheers,
Bob