DIY cnc suggestions

[windell747]

Hi Fellow Machinists,

I'm new to CNCs and would like to make my own small 3axis cnc. I've purchased the 8020cnc build plans (DIY 80/20 Aluminum Extrusion CNC Machine | 8020CNC.com), but before I'm set on the build, I would like to ask for suggestions from you folks.

I would be machining nothing harder than Al6061 and I don't care too much about speed. I would like to try to have 0.001" precision.

What do you guys think? Could you recommend a sturdier build for about the same price as an 8020cnc?

Thanks,
windell

[fragger6662000]

Routers are fine for PCB and wood and very light work in metal but that is about all that they can machine. if you are machining ally then you could end up taking 0.1-0.3 depth of cuts which is fine if you are sign making.

[TXFred]

80/20 is great stuff for building frames, or for making a woodcutting router or plasma cutting table.

I would not even think about using it for a metal cutting machine. To cut metal, you need a high mass, high rigidity machine. Since 80/20 is mostly hollow aluminum, it's not high mass. And since it is all bolted together, it's not high rigidity.

Better to get a manual mill and convert it, IMHO. Even with the failings of some of the benchtop mills, at least you'll be starting with a machine that was intended to cut metal.

Frederic

[windell747]

Thanks to the both of you. I'm taking your advice to heart. How about converting something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Jet-JHM-610-JET-Hobby-Mill/dp/B001U0O56E]Amazon.com: JET JHM-610 Hobby Mill: Home Improvement

Are there conversion kits out there for such a small mill? I really would like to be able to mill aluminum and brass and copper.

Thanks again!
windell

[hoss2006]

If you're willing to spend $600 for an X1, you'd be better off spending $50 more for an SX2.
LittleMachineShop.com - HiTorque Mini Mill
or at least a regular X2.
Two-Speed Variable Bench Mill/Drill Machine
Cncfusion.com has kits for both.
Next up in price would be a Taig then a G0704.
Hoss

[epwrangler]

I too have been looking at kits and I want to cnc an x2 but I have no idea what is a minimum in/lb rating to use on the nema 23 steppers? Is 175 in/lb, holding sufficent?

[Fastest1]

Hoss, will tell you what the X2 will need!

[whitehedr]

Go here Hossmachine Homepage to the Hossmachine home page and look at the CNC conversion tab. There is a ton of info that Hoss has provided for us newbs. He also just offered a free download of all the X2 drawwings.

You should also read the X2 Finished for Now thread.

RWW