New to CNC, anyone up for offering some input?

[sneasle]

Hello all.

I've been looking at CNC machines off and on for the last 2 years and I think I have decided to build one.

Being a college student I have a few requirements that I can hopefully stay within.

1st, it needs to be cheap. This is something I think we all aim for, but being as I am not one of the few with a CC from mom/dad that I can go wild with, I watch my funds closely.

2nd, it needs to be movable. My apartment is small and I don't have a lot of space so I can't have a machine in a permanent spot. It would have to be light enough for me to move in and out of a closet when I decide to use it.


I would like a machine that can cut balsa up to 1/4", light ply/ aircraft ply to 1/4", foam to 2", and maybe some acryllic or similar plastics.

Cut rate isn't really all that important too me. If it would be a longer cut, I would start it when I get up on a Saturday or before I left for class during the week and let it run.

For a cut size, I am thinking at least 12"x12" xy with 2.5" on the vertical to accommodate the foams.


These are the designs I have been looking at so far. Some meet my criteria, some don't, and I would appreciate input on them and any others if you know of them.

http://www.crankorgan.com/7thsojourn.htm
http://www.crankorgan.com/phoenix.htm
http://www.crankorgan.com/pipe.htm
http://www.crankorgan.com/morph.htm

http://www.phlatboyz.com/

I've look at these plans, seem to be a bit more then I want:
http://www.hobbycnc.com/products/cnc-router-plans/

And this instructable has a nice one, but a bit expensive for what it is I think:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...-Cheaply-and-/

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by sneasle Hello all. I've been looking at CNC machines off and on for the last 2 years and I think I have decided to build one. Being a college student I have a few requirements that I can hopefully stay within. 1st, it needs to be cheap. This is something I think we all aim for, but being as I am not one of the few with a CC from mom/dad that I can go wild with, I watch my funds closely. 2nd, it needs to be movable. My apartment is small and I don't have a lot of space so I can't have a machine in a permanent spot. It would have to be light enough for me to move in and out of a closet when I decide to use it. I would like a machine that can cut balsa up to 1/4", light ply/ aircraft ply to 1/4", foam to 2", and maybe some acryllic or similar plastics. Cut rate isn't really all that important too me. If it would be a longer cut, I would start it when I get up on a Saturday or before I left for class during the week and let it run. For a cut size, I am thinking at least 12"x12" xy with 2.5" on the vertical to accommodate the foams. These are the designs I have been looking at so far. Some meet my criteria, some don't, and I would appreciate input on them and any others if you know of them. http://www.crankorgan.com/7thsojourn.htm http://www.crankorgan.com/phoenix.htm http://www.crankorgan.com/pipe.htm http://www.crankorgan.com/morph.htm http://www.phlatboyz.com/ I've look at these plans, seem to be a bit more then I want: http://www.hobbycnc.com/products/cnc-router-plans/ And this instructable has a nice one, but a bit expensive for what it is I think: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...-Cheaply-and-/

If all that you are cutting is balsa, foam and the occasional piece orfaircraft ply then just about anything will work. It is a matter of how precise that you want to be. There is a minimum cutting rate below which you just burn throug instead of cut. Plus or minus .010" shouldn't be the end of the world.
I have no knowledge of these other than I checked out the links you provided.
If you have access to the tools needed just get the plans and begin.

Keep us posted on how things are going.
Mike

[sneasle]

10mil should be more then accurate enough.

Well, I would think choosing a machine requires a bit more thought then just 'pick one and go with it'.

What do you have and what do you use it for?