Home-made or CheapCnc (Noobie)

[Cold Fusion]

Hello, I'm new in the cnc world and I have a few questions.

1: Can a cheaper cnc router like the ones made by Cheapcnc cut 1/4 Lexan or 1/8 Carbon Fiber? I do alot of custom work by hand but would like to start using cnc for it.

2: Can these machines do drilling as well?

3: Is it worth it to just buy the parts myself and make one or would that be too hard for a beginner? If so, how much will it cost?

Here is a picture of some of the stuff we do in Lexan.



The chassis are about 14"x6"


Btw, I had a typo in my user name. Could someone change it to Cold Fusion?

[HomeCNC]

1: Can a cheaper cnc router like the ones made by Cheapcnc cut 1/4 Lexan or 1/8 Carbon Fiber? I do alot of custom work by hand but would like to start using cnc for it.

It all depends on how fast you want to cut your parts. A very weak machine can cut what you ask, you just would need to take very shallow cuts and slow speeds.

2: Can there machines do drilling as well?

Sure. The main problem would be the RPM of the router and finding a drill chuck that will handle the high speed. I tryed drilling with my vara-speed router on 10,000 RPM. It worked but shook a bit.

3: Is it worth it to just buy the parts myself and make one or would that be too hard for a beginner? If so, how much will it cost?

It is not hard to build one. I see you can run a CAD station. You need to make the choice between router or mill. The part you have shown could be made on my converted Mill/Drill (see my website). Also I just wanted to say that using a router or mill, you will not be able to cut square corners on pockets like you have drawn. I would say to not be scared to build one or to convert a mill/drill. You will have all the help you need from us here.

[Cold Fusion]

I want a router style, not mill. The mill just has too small of a table. I'm looking for something roughly 24x17 or larger.

[Cold Fusion]

Btw, these parts go on a Traxxas Rustler Rc truck.

[ECRC]

Originally posted by Cold Fusio Btw, these parts go on a Traxxas Rustler Rc truck.

I've dropped .21 motors in a few of them, they get real fun after that!!!

You don't need a real srtong machine to cut CF if you slow it down a bit.

Doug

[Cold Fusion]

I'm an electric guy. I've got a brushless Supermaxx right now in addition to the brushless electric Team Rustler.


How long do you think it would take to cut a chassis out of Carbon Fiber or Lexan with a 1.5k homemade one.

[ECRC]

I'm no expert with the different machines, but I would say that my machine could cut it in 2-3 min. You can see my machine in the liberty sect.

Doug

[Cold Fusion]

That would be great for us. It normally takes me 2 hours to finish a custom chassis job...

[tsalaf]

Cold,

If you can make that chassis with hand tools, you can build a CNC router.

You will fall asleep waiting for a cheap machine to cut your parts at 8 in/min. and your plastic will turn to goo with a router moving that slowly.

I think you would be better off spending the $1500 on better components and your own labour to get a production quality machine that you will still be happy with after a week. As for drilling, if the hole has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the cutter, you can route the hole without the danger of using a drill chuck in a router.

Steve

[yukonho]

Just to let you know, I am building a CNC router now, it is my first one. So far it has cost me about $300 including steppers and driverboard. I am using a dremel tool as spindle, so if you went with something bigger, it would cost you more. I estimate about another 50 to 100 dollars before I am up and running.
So, if you are looking to do it as inexpensively as possible, make one yourself. It is really not difficult, most hobbyists could do it. Also, if you are willing to spend more money than I did, you can have an awesome router for your $1500.
co

[Cold Fusion]

Ok, I will go with a homemade one. I've been reading alot on these forums to figure out how one works and how to build one, but I think I will need some kind of guide to do it. So you really think I can make a good one under $1500? Right now I pay about $400 per cnc order I make. This should pay off fairly quickly.

[Cold Fusion]

I use a dremel everyday and I don't think it has the power for what I want. Some kind of bigger router would be great.