My $300 CNC Machine that actually works!!

[SHORVATH]

Hello Everybody,

After visiting this site for well over a year, I finally got around to building my first CNC machine out of scrap I had lying around my shop and a few parts I bought off e-bay. If there is a category for the ugliest CNC machine ever built, I would like to submit my attempt, but hey, at least if works....

I plan on using this machine to make parts for a 'REAL' CNC machine I'm putting
together this summer.

Thanks All

This site is Awesome!!!

Steve In Aurora

[DIYaholic]

Curious minds want to know:
What are the machine spec's? Motors, screws, work envelope, software, etc., etc., etc.
Have you measured for precision and repeatabilty?
Other than the car, what do you plan to use the machine for?

Have you designed/started designing you next machine?
Will it be MDF, 80/20 extrusion, Aluminium Plate, Steel?
Please remember to do a build log of your next machine, with tons of pictures and video.

Again, congratulations on a successful build.
Now, onto BIGGER and Better!!!

Randy,

[SHORVATH]

Randy,

Brief Specs,

Bed Size 2' x 4' MDF construction with 1" aluminum gantry rails (actually quite rigid)
Software - Demo of MACH3 (will purchase for REAL machine.. It's great)
X Axis 3/8 threaded rod ?? found in my shop ?? with Stepper Motor of unknown origin?
Y Axis pulled form IBM Line Printer including Stepper Motor.
Z Axis - (modified several times as you can see) going down - no problem, going up - needs lots of power ..
Controller Board - $69.00 of ebay.

As for repeatability, I did the first car out of styrofoam (as I did with all my testing) and
it worked out well so I did the wood version. I also did a name plaque for my son's room which we all stood around and watched (all 35 min.) as the machines first project.

I will take your advice and create a detailed project log for my next machine which will be constructed entirely of milled aluminum with proper stepper motor and linear motion/lead screws. My budget for this one will be around $1000.

[dertsap]

Originally Posted by SHORVATH . If there is a category for the ugliest CNC machine ever built,

ugly is something that doesn't work , even if it is pretty

Congrats !

[MarcoBernardini]

A coat of eyeblasting paint, some fashionable belt covers, and you can sell it on eBay for $500
Good work!

[archer3d]

when its working you could always turn ff the lights LoL
looks great to me.

[WayneHill]

Originally Posted by SHORVATH ... Z Axis - (modified several times as you can see) going down - no problem, going up - needs lots of power ...

Look around and find a spring you can attach to the z axis to help lift the slide.

It's not ugly.

[SHORVATH]

Wayne,

Not a bad idea, but wouldn't the motor have to work against to spring on the way down?
I tried several different idea's , as you can see from the pictures, but the one thing I learned from this site, is if your serious about building a good C.N.C. machine, you have to use good components, so I just bought the more powerful motors to solve the problem. Thanks for the idea though.

Steve

[Fastest1]

The spring would be a counter balance and help in the lifting aspect. Gravity will still be helping it go down just less so, unless you put on a huge spring. The machine looks great but you knew that, like a woman you were looking for a compliment! Great work.

[FS2F]

$300! That's impressive, what kind of tolerance do you get with this set up currently? It looks pretty accurate. Wish I knew about this site before I invested $90K into my CNC a couple years back. If we have some down time, I would like to build our next CNC using our current cnc to process the parts.

Best Regards,
Fromscott2finish