Well, here goes, my first CNC machine

[Patrick2by4]

I would like to know why you went with servo's instead of steppers? Again great job and good luck

Thanks Txfatboy, from the various threads posted on the site, I realized that servo's suited my needs better (higher rpms, more powerful among other things) and as a big plus, I got my motors dirt cheap.

I am amazed that the spade bit worked for the bearing surface. Will there be a set scrrew holding the bearing?
What type of saw blade did you use in your table and miter saw to cut the aluminum? I am to the point that it is time to start construction of an aluminum machine as well.

Well mark, I also was surprised the spade bit cut alum so well. When I first did it, I was getting these wonderful strips of continueous aluminum ribbons.I plan to use a set screw to hold the outer raceway of the bearing in place. As for the saw blade, I used a triple chip 80 tooth blade in both my tablesaw and mitersaw to cut the aluminum. These type of blades cut aluminum (as well as plastic) very well. Gerry mentioned in a pervious thread that a negative rake angle on the carbide tooth cuts a little bit better. I do know that it helps particularly on a mitresaw.


Hey chronon1, It really is alot of fun building a cnc machine and quite a learning experience. I also think this is a good sized machine for a hobbiest, you can cut a wide range of things and still have a manageable footprint.
I plan to continue posting plenty of pictures and also detailed information as to my thinking on several parts. Thanks for reading my posts.

[Txfatboy]

Were did you find your motors and what type of drivers are you using.

[Graham S]

Read the first page of the thread

[ynneb]

Hey Pat, its been a while since your last post. Hows things going.
Have you hit a hurdle ?
Youve been doing so well so far.

[Mr.Chips]

Hello Pat,
I see a fellow wood worker has been bitten by the CNC bug. It's a lot of fun and metal construction is more of a challange than wood at least for me.

Really like your design, the extruded alum box on your Y axis will be super strong. And you will be able to expand your woodworking skills with a CNC machine.

Keep us up to date on your progress.

Hager

[Patrick2by4]

Hello folks, sorry I didn't communicate for awhile (a series of events happened with family, friends and my employment which sort of took priority for a while). I'm hoping to get back to building my machine sometime in January. I especially look forward to catching up to all the posting and progress that many others have made with their machines.
Enjoy your holidays and new year.
Pat

[mvaughn]

Hi Patrick,

Hopefully everything is going well with you and yours... When you decide to come back and start working on your CNC router, we'll be here for you.

[onthemarc]

Hi Patrick
I looked at the Automec web sight. The motor specks say 46.5 in/oz @ 3 amps
can you really pump 20 amps through that motor and get 360 in/oz of torque from that motor? And 3 motors at 20 amps plus your spindle motor seems like a lot of amps
for that machine. Or am I not figuring this right?

[Wm McNett]

I feel sore, I just bought 3 of them JDH-2250-BX-1C Clifton Precision servo motors for $100 + shipping with/out encoders.

[F3RR3T]

sorry to bring this up from the dead. why bolts instead of welding?