First CNC router design

[*o*]

Well,

I am new to the whole CNC scene but i have spent the last few weeks reading through here and many other sites.

I have come up with a basic design (first image) basically i want all axis above the table.

The other image is a top view of the same thing.

I plan to use 10mm MDF.

For the rails i plan to use steel pipes.

I would like to use a dremel with a flexshaft as a head.

Basically my question is, is this possible?

Would this be rigid enough for accurate cutting?

Does anyone have any links to cheap relatively easy to build stepper motor controllers? or should i buy one?

I am unsure about sizing yet so how big is big enough?

Will i be able to cut aluminium with this?

Does anyone have any good advice?

comments? questions?

EDIT: OOPPS! i just realised this is in the wrong section! could someone please move it?

[epineh]

There is a thread elsewhere on this forum on dremel vs router, personally I'd prefer a router, especially if you want to cut ally.

As for controls, I got mine from Oatley Electronics :

http://www.oatleyelectronics.com/kits/k142.html

Have a look at what they have, might give you some idea about electronics side of things. You need to be able to solder components to make their kits.

As far as how big a machine, what do you want to make? Think about what you are going to be using it for, then you should have some idea about size.

Keep reading, plenty have asked the same questions, and welcome to the zone.

Russell.

[*o*]

Thanks for the response!

How much did the electronics cost to ship?

I have decided i dont like my plan and i am going to change to a machine similar to Joe's 2006 model. I plan on using 200oz stepper motors and having.

I am currently budgeting $500 but unfortuneately doubt this will be enough.

My plan is to build everything ready for the motors/electronics without buying them, then if i am satisfied i will pay for those after the rest is completed.

is this a bad idea?

P.S. are there any good suppliers of bearings (cheap if possible) within Australia?

Thanks again guys

[epineh]

Postage was a grand total of $7.00 from Oatley NSW to Babinda (Cairns) Dunno if it would be any cheaper if you lived any closer to them. They shipped promptly and I am happy with their service...

Wont hurt to get the motor's and electronics last, will give you time to shop around. I just got my bearings from local suppliers, they are cheap, but you usually need a few so they add up.

Good luck with your budget, I know mine went out the window pretty quickly.

Are you using Joe's plans ? Things may go smoother for you if you used his plans (or JGRO's), it complicates things to make your design up as you go along (ask me how I know).

Good luck and make sure you post a build log when you start.

Russell.

[*o*]

Thanks for the help,

do you know of any good internet suppliers of bearings preferably in Australia?

How much have other people spent on there CNC projects?

I am thinking about using Joe's plans, has anyone else used them successfully?

As i don't have a CNC can i use a coping saw and a dremel to get a good result?

Can anyone suggest any good routers?

P.S. Just so i can get a rough idea of how much it will cost, how much do sheets of MDF cost?

P.P.S. How thick should the MDF be?

[GRS]

*o*

My machine has come in at just under 4K so far. I have got all the bit's n pieces now so should only be bits and bobs to finish off.
As a guide I also updated my home pc so in real terms I guess the build only is around 3K

Good Luck
Gary (GRS check out my thread)

[epineh]

Originally Posted by GRS *o* My machine has come in at just under 4K so far. I have got all the bit's n pieces now so should only be bits and bobs to finish off. As a guide I also updated my home pc so in real terms I guess the build only is around 3K Good Luck Gary (GRS check out my thread)

Mine is under the 1K (I think) only just but that is about it, though I am not using ballscrews, which would have driven the cost up by $1500.00...How do you spell retrofit ? lol

I did get given the steppers for free, and I have been "recycling" a lot of old rusty steel.

Russell. (Check out my thread too!!)