Warren's 1st cnc router log

[WarrenW]

After weeks of reading and studying this web site, I have now begun building my first cnc router. The setup is based on the plans from www.hobbytoolplans.com but with a few changes. The plans had called for using all 8020 bearings on their extrusions. Because I was not so sure they would work well I had ordered a pair of supported shafts with Thomson open pillowblock bearings for the X axis. I decided to go with the 8020 bearings for the Y and Z axis. After receiving them in the mail and seeing how they felt on the 8020 extrusions, I was very impressed! They moved nicely with no play in them!

The router will have a 52" X axis, 48" Y axis and the Z axis is about 6" I think. I am using the Xylotex 3 axis controller with their Nemo 23 276oz/in. motors. The Ab nuts are from Dumpster and using 1/2-10 acme for the leadscrews along with McMaster lovejoy couplers.

Below are some pics of some parts. I'm about to cut the wooden pieces and start the assembly tonight and tomorrow with more pictures to go.

Wish me luck!

Warren

[Jason Marsha]

Congrats on your start . Remember to get some sleep. Double check your measurements and save yourself the stress of mistakes.

Jason

[ViperTX]

Good luck Warren! Those 80/20 linear rub blocks....Oh, sorry linear bearings are only useful as guides, let us know how it turns out.

[WarrenW]

If it turns out that they bind up or don't move as well as needed, I'll modify the machine with some THK rails or something. Hack told me they will work fine for this machine and are precise enough for wood which is all I am doing. I'll be sure to post my results though!

Warren

[Evodyne]

Warren,

Just a reminder of the rules:

1. Post lot's of pics!
2. Have fun!
3. If you have a "signifigant other", make sure to compensate for the extra
time spent building and do stuff with/for your partner so as to stay out of
the dog house! Maybe promise to make nice things when you're done.

Good luck!

Evodyne

[WarrenW]

Thanks for the tips! My wife is out of town for the weekend so I'll be doing as much as I can tomorrow (Saturday). I plan to attach the linear shafts to the extrusions for the X axis and cut/attach the end plates as well. I'll post pics of that tomorrow afternoon.

Warren

[truman]

Hi Warren I was wondering where you purchased your supported shafts this seems to be my biggest hang up I am building a router that will be 60"X36" hence the need for supported shaft. By the way I can't wait to see the rest of your build have fun.

thanks

Rob

[WarrenW]

Hi Rob,

I got them off of ebay. The seller actually has another set forsale right now. The title of the item is:

4 Thomson Bearing Pillow Block Slide Linear THK NSK

There is 16 hours left on it if you want to watch and bid. Before he had a Buy It Now offer for $150 which I paid. I really wanted to have the linear shaft supported if I was to use shafts. Too many people advised of the flexing without them being supported.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I'll be posting every day while I work on the router.

Warren

[WarrenW]

Over the weekend I got the linear shafts mounted to the 8020 for the X axis. They are 53" long and supported so I don't have to worry about any flex now.

Today I cut the X axis end plates and bolted them together shown below. Next I will put on the cross members between the bearings and then start on the Y axis end plates. Its coming along!

Warren

[WarrenW]

I added the cross members that the X axis leadscrew will be attached to. I couldn't bolt the pillowblock bearings to the 8020 cross members so I used a piece of wood to screw the bearings to and then drilled holes in it and used t-bolts to the 8020. I then cut and bolted one side of the gantry on. I would have had the other side but I drilled the holes wrong - thats what I get for working too late!

Tomorrow I'll put on the other side of the gantry and bolt in the two 8020 pieces with its bearings for the Y axis. The rest will have to wait till the next day since I'm taking my two boys and daughter to see Santa at the mall tomorrow afternoon!

Warren

[joecnc2006]

looking very nice so far...

[truman]

I don't know if you have more 8020 but if you have enough you could cut down the two pieces that you have there and put two end pieces making a complete rectangle then you could attach the gantry sides with more tslot bolts making it really solid I think this would also get rid of the wood on the bottom just a suggestion looks good the way it is though