Newbie- Uk supplier of motors/bearings...... recommendations please?

[pjl83]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum. I've been thinking of building a cnc routing machine for a while now and after looking through the build threads here and watching numerous videos around the net I've decided to take the plunge.

I'm a keen woodworker and I think that a machine like this would be a fun build and if works well then it would be fun to use also. I can't afford to buy a kit straight away, I'll start by doing the design, the woodwork and mounting the bearings, rails, motors and the cutting tool. Once I have this sliding freely I will look for the drivers and software etc........

I am looking for a recommended supplier for the bearings and motors (3) to begin with, I can source the other stuff locally....

Any thoughts on what I should be looking for with regards to the motors? It will be constructed from MDF and aluminium angle and the bed will be around 12" x 24" and moved via threaded rod and nut runners.......

Any advice at this point would be gratefully received.

Thanks
Paul

[Kipper]

Hi and welcome to the zone!

Here's a smattering of advice....forget the threaded rod...use rack and pinion.... £70 will provide 2M of rack and 4 pinions...adjust the axis sizes to suit.

Bearings.....you could go AC type or as you really don't need them skateboard bearings are a favourite.....Were they to mount the screws?

Motors/drivers I only consider Zapp for these....reasonable cost and an easy supplier to deal with.

Rack as mentioned by a member

Stepper driver kits.....check individual prices

Keep the MDF dry and lacquer/varnish or even paint it! if it all goes wrong let me know as I use MDF to keep my workshop warm

Linear bearings can be expensive! either find a design to use or design your own....or bite the bullet and purchase some "proper" bearings.

Jena Tec Use the phone and ask what's on special offer

You'll find Jena to be about a third to a quarter of the price of the ebay sellers....hopefully!

[pjl83]

Thanks for that,

Jena are about 10 minutes from where I work so I'll pop in for a chat with them