CNC DIY questions - kinda n00bish

[faceless105]

First i'd like to say hey to everyone, i just joined this forum after searching for CNC info on google.

I've actually am interested in this kind of stuff because of computer modding. Lots of people do some pretty amazing dremel work, but i'd really like to step it up a notch.

This is gotta be pretty n00bish on here, but i'm definatly interested in building a CNC. I'm not sure the real difference in cnc routers and cutters. i can imagine what they do, but i dont know what differences they have in their construction.

i was wondering if anyone would mind either posting or pointing me to an existing thread on building either a cnc router or cutter?

I would love to have one of these in my garage for cutting my own parts and designs. Things i'm interested in learning about doing this is what kind of time is involved in building something like this? what are the general costs? what level of difficulty would you rate a project like this, and finally, what materials would i need? and of course if'd need some simple instructions on both the building and the use of something like this.

I've erad a bit on the software, so far i've read that you can use cad to design the part and a second program to translate it to the cnc.

again, i'm sure this is pretty n00bish, but i'd really really appreciate the help here. Also if anyone does have some easy to follow DIY guides, i have a computer modding site that i maintain that i know a lot of modders would be interested in seeing this stuff, so if your interested i can definatly throw the information up on there as well.

thanks for the time.

[thekm]

into computers, can't use search?...

there's not that many threads here in the DIY part, can just read them all! (lots of wrothy info ). But search for the JGRO (even has its own sticky thread), and "Joe's CNC Model 2006".

[faceless105]

well i mean i've seen a number of threads where people are building their own CNCs, i just wanted to know if anyone would give me some info around that, and breif overview of what goes into building one of these things.

[thekm]

Originally Posted by faceless105 well i mean i've seen a number of threads where people are building their own CNCs, i just wanted to know if anyone would give me some info around that, and breif overview of what goes into building one of these things.

...ummmm... and I mean, that's exactly what you'll get from the forums already around here. ...so much info, you can get a crystal clear picture of what's required to build these things. Search engine is your friend. JGRO has a top level forum...

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/jgro_router_table_design/

...the plans are linked there, and everyone that's built or building one is in there.


The "Joe's CNC 2006" is a little more involved for an improved design... but once again, there's a ton of info out there.

[diarmaid]

Hi. Welcome to the zone.

Im in Ireland and Im not around that long either but I've thus far found this site a fantastic resource of information and experience on topics not all directly cnc related (Welding, Casting etc etc).

I'm building my first machine from the solsylva plans which a couple of people have done. You can see the thread here:

Has Anyone Built From David Steels Sosylva Plans?

JoesCNC pages mentioned above are really good too. Im glad I got plans to start my first machine because theres a lot for a total noob to take in, but they're by no means necessary. Browsing this site for a few weeks I learned the various parts and mechanisms of a basic machine. A bit of common ability with tools and you could design/build your own from scratch, which is my plan for my next two machines. I haven't built my 1st one yet so I cant offer 'experience' just opinions. It can be as cheap or expensive as you want depending upon your requirements (Size, ridgid-ness, etc). The motors and drivers plus a computer to run it all from are a necessary expense that cant be made cheaper, but the table could be wood, steel, aluminium pre-formed framing etc giving huge differences in price.

Im building my first one from wood as per the plans (Although someone here on the zone with the same plans has adapted them to use metal). The plans cost me $25. I picked up a desktop computer for €15 ($22). And Im buying a stepper motor kit from 'HobbyCNC' for about $250. Plus wood and EMT (Metal tubing) and the threaded rod I suppose will run me less than $350. Im buying a Bosch laminate trim router for $100 on amazon. Thats about it excluding software which goes from the free programs online, right up to the $20,000 commercial programs.

Hope this helps,

Please keep us informed of how your going.
L8rs.

[faceless105]

thanks some some of the input guys. i plan to continue to scour the forums. at the moment i want to finish on a computer modding project before i start building the CNC, but this is definatly something that i'd love to do.

btw, if anyone is into computer modding, i have my pc worklog on a thread here...
http://fusionmods.net/?theCase=viewT...dID=33&catID=6

[faceless105]

i think i wanna purchase a DIY guide, i've seen a couple of places that sell them, but with my extremly limited experience i'm not sure what one i should aim for. i want something that can cut aluminum sheets up to 1/16" thick. and i'd like it if it could handle sheets with about a 2ft x 2ft size. the main thing i'd like to use these for are cutting custom fan grills and designs into side panels of computers. if that helps describe how i should go about this at all?

like i said, i'd love to build one of these, but i'm still extremly inexperienced so if anyone knows off hand a decent DIY guide that will allow me to build a cnc router that can do that, i'd love to know where to go

[thekm]

Originally Posted by faceless105 i think i wanna purchase a DIY guide, i've seen a couple of places that sell them, but with my extremly limited experience i'm not sure what one i should aim for. i want something that can cut aluminum sheets up to 1/16" thick. and i'd like it if it could handle sheets with about a 2ft x 2ft size. the main thing i'd like to use these for are cutting custom fan grills and designs into side panels of computers. if that helps describe how i should go about this at all? like i said, i'd love to build one of these, but i'm still extremly inexperienced so if anyone knows off hand a decent DIY guide that will allow me to build a cnc router that can do that, i'd love to know where to go

dude, you've already found it!

...but if money is burning a hole in your pocket and you absolutely must pay for plans, here's a couple of links:

http://solsylva.com
http://www.crankorgan.com

...there's also plans on ebay, and all of the JGRO, and "Joe's 2006" stuff in here. I haven't seen the paid-for plans/instructions, but I find it hard to believe that it can stack up to the info in this forum, and simply searching, reading, and absorbing everything you can.

The info in this site will also show what it takes to make machines faster, or more accurate, and everything in between. It'll show you stuff that may not come with machine X's instructions.


...I was going to shell out for plans too until I found this forum.

[diarmaid]

Machines made from wood will cut some aluminium, but really you should be thinking of making your machine form metal if cutting metal is your starting point. Better to have a machine thats over spec'd at the start than one that turns out not to be rigid enough to do the job.

[ViperTX]

Check out DataCut...

[faceless105]

i'm checkin it out right now and i like what i'm seein so far.

also i wanted to ask, what amkes the difference in cutting metal vs wood? is it simple in the rougher or does it go into the entire cnc design? i first assumed it was simply the capability of the router, but i think i'm finding it to be otherwise.

[faceless105]

ok i think i'm startin to grasp how CNCs work physically, but how do you interface them with your computer? are drivers needed? and what kind of software do you use? I think i saw somewhere that you use auto cad them i think a program with the word CAM in it to convert it to something the CNC can read. would anyone mind going into a just a littl emore detail for me on that?