What to do!

[Xye]

I need some advice on where to go now.

I am now coming to realise that I may well have overreached myself. I have been collecting parts to make myself a cnc router however I now fear it will be beyond my abilities to complete such a project.

So far I have purchased the following items:

Linear rails and bearings (4x1350mm 2x300mm)
Ballscrews 16mm (2x1350mm and 1x300mm unturned ends)
Controller kit (3 stepper motors, 3 control units, 1 psu, 1 control board)
Aluminium Framework. (of the attached design)
Kress 1050
flexible couplings (6mm to 16mm)

all of which adds up to quite alot.

I realise now that maybe i got a bit carried away and so am considering downsizing and just getting something smaller which has been pre made and is actually a proper mill.

[ssutton]

There was many times during my 3 year build time that I thought that I had wasted a lot of money and time on something that I might not ever complete. But, I stuck to it and did finish my build. Now I use it every day and I am SOOOOO glad that it did not give up. You can complete your dream machine if you set your mind to it. Then you will have the satisfaction that YOU built it and the things that you will make on it will mean more to you than if you had purchased a machine.

Stick to it!

Scott

[sirkossorg]

You asked for advice. Here's my two cents.

Don't give up, especially if you've already got money in it. There is all the expertise in the world on this website if you need help.

I understand that it's an overwhelming project if you look at the big picture; it's a complicated thing.

My build took six months, and the hardest part was the end; the details. Everybody's personality is different, but what worked for me was to work on it every single day. Some days I would only drill one hole, align a piece, run wire for a motor. Before you know it, you will be drawing test pictures with a pencil in your router mount.

I'm working on my second machine now (bigger/faster), and I will say that building my own CNC was the most gratifying thing I've done with my hands. My buddy bought a little "proper" mill, and he comes to me a lot to make stuff for him. It is a gift that keeps on giving, and people are far more impressed with home-built versus manufactured.

FWIW

[Xye]

Thanks guys. I just get pretty down sometimes is all.

I'll stick with it.

[DonFrambach]

When I built my router, I found it helpful to do at least a little bit almost every day. Good luck with your build and be sure to have fun with it.

[pencilneck]

Keep your eye on the prize. I also felt like I was getting on over my head yet I never did drown. For me, it was hundreds of small steps... make a little progress here and there.

I kept myself inspired by looking at other people's build logs.

[Mountaincraft]

The most overwhelming part for me was the cost...

But it looks like you have the majority of that handled...

So why stop now... Affording the parts is the hardest part.. As far as insight and info, you have this site which is worth more than all the books on the subject at amazon...

[Walky]

Keep going, and do your best with your build.

Just don't expect to make the perfect machine, you'll perfect it later as you get familiar with how it work. I agree with people that say that a build is never really over.

Building the machine: 1/3 the fun
Making it better: 1/3 the fun
Make stuff with it: 1/3 the fun (well, maybe more, but how dare I defy math!)

[Gaz.]

I've felt like this before just after purchasing enough parts for a 4 x 4 machine. Give it a break for a while then take another crack at it.

Atleast you have all the parts, thats the hardest part