New To The Whole Idea

[EvilSmirk]

I've had a Harbor Freight Micro Mill (47158) for the past year now and been having a grand old time using both it and my 7"x10" Mini Lathe. Anyway, the time has come for me to want to convert my mill into a CNC capable machine. But, where to start? I've taken a look at a few packages, like the 3-axis package with 200 oz-in steppers from www.HobbyCNC.com for example. Which brings me here. Does anyone have plans, layouts, suggestions, insight, etc. What am I going to need? Where are good quality, low price places to purchase the equipment. My machine is pretty much still stock, so anything else you can recommend would be appreciated.

I'm sure this has been asked countless times before and the last thing you 'Regulars' need is some 'Newbie' wasting your time, but I can't seem to find any posts regarding what I'm looking for. Any assistance you can provide would be appreciated.

[EvilSmirk]

What? Nobody?

[Bowman]

I would imagine there is info on this site about what your looking for, perhaps you need to refine your post searches. Also look at joining the following yahoo groups. CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO, DIY-CNC and also one called Mill_Drill. Might get some helpful advice on your setup from these groups and lots of posts to search for your answers.

Good luck I know to the newbie it can seem very confusing and with cost considerations no one wants to make the wrong choice. Just remember once you get whatever it is you end up with in short enough time you will want something else bigger, better etc. I think its the nature of the CNC beast.


Bowman

[EvilSmirk]

Thanks. I've been trying searches, just nothing seems to pop up with a guide or even good references for places to purchase the necessary hardware/software, etc.

[aminear]

Try Mini_mill cnc on yahoo groups, have you selected a software for driving it? I am using Mach3 for both my lathe and minimill. Another place to go is Mach3 site www.artofcnc.com.

[EvilSmirk]

I'm a member of the moderated HF47158 Micro Mill to CNC group, but there doesn't seem to be much if any help there. Almost all of the threads revolve around people trying to improve on their current setups. Nothing regarding actually getting started.

Mach3 is a software that I'm looking at. Still gathering information at this time for my shopping list. Once I've got that where I want it, I'll actually start purchasing and once all parts have been received it will be time for assembly.

But at this point I've still got basically no idea about what I need, what works, what doesn't work, etc.

[aminear]

I browsed the web and yahoo groups, got some ideas from the different pictures of what everyone else had done. Reject the stuff that you don't like and build it all yourself the way you want. Unless you are under a time constraint and need it going right away.

Since you already have your machines you will be able to make all the parts you need anyway.

The are some great ideas out there. I posted some pictures of my machine on the mach support forum www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=1215.0 , I got many of my ideas from the other yahoo groups.

[EvilSmirk]

Good point. I'll pay more attention. Thanks for the link.

[Pres]

Imho, the 1st thing to do is get the extended/stronger bed and base from http://www.littlemachineshop.com
They are only about $70 each - seem to be well worth it.
Pres

[pastera]

Get both extension kits (x&Y) - they are definately worth the price.

On the Y extension, you may need to make a new gibb - the supplied gibb is very thin.

Aaron

[Pres]

I had read that the gib was thin on some earlier shipments.
The Y axis extended kit I purchased from LMS in Aug2006 had a 3mm gib.
That is the same thickness as the stock one was.
They provided good instructions on placing the adjusting screw c'sinks in it.
All seemed to work out well with a bigger table & more travel.

fwiw: Before purchasing the X1, I was undecided between the X1/X2/X3.

The X2 had nicer feeling axis screws and quill travel but that narrow table was unuseable (for me).

The X3 had the size table/travel that was good but it weighed 3x more than an X1 and was more than 3X the price.

When I saw the extended table/travel kit that LMS offered for the X1 it clinched the selection.
(besides, I really did not want more than 150lb machine sitting on top of my wood top electronics bench)

Indirectly, LMS really sold me on the X1. HF just took the order.
Pres

[EvilSmirk]

At this point I'm looking at first getting the extended x and y as you guys had mentioned.

From there I was thinking of the 3-axis 200 oz-in setup from HobbyCNC.

Depending on how I feel about it, perhaps the 3-axis kit from CNCFusion, or make the mounts myself. I like what aminear did for the motor mounts I saw in the link he posted. The main reason I like the CNCFusion kit is the sturdiness of their motor mounts, the included thrust bearings, and the couplers for the motors.

I am still undecided on the transformer and case I'd need to complete the HobbyCNC kit. I already have a laptop I was intending on using, but have not yet picked out a CAD/CAM program I'd like to use.