Budget CNC Router

[Blackhawk]

I am an avid model airplane guy, and love to build and design stuff. I have always wanted something cnc, and a router seems like a good thing to have. I can cut out parts for my own kits, and even make some money on the side doing kits for guys at the field. I don't have a high paying job, and want to get a CNC router going for the least money possible. I will probably start out in 2D flat work, such as cutting out flat balsa parts. I will eventually branch off into doing more complicated things, but getting a CAD program that can do that is going to be tougher. Does anyone have a design for a CNC Router that won't break the bank? I have seen the K179 driver board (I have seen the cost on some of these, expensive) and it's price is attractive. I don't know what kind of steppers I need, but I have access to a full shop with welders and all sorts of wood working stuff. Can someone give me a plan or parts list to get me going? Thanks. I would want one that is around 3' wide and 4' long. Thanks.

[Blackhawk]

maybe a little smaller would be fine, I was thinking big. WHat would be a good first size? THanks. THe bearing and Steel tube slides looks like the way I want to go too.

[Blackhawk]

I think that 36"x24" would be the best size first, and a dremel or normal router for the cutter part.

[Hobbiest]

Just out of curiosity, why have you chosen those dimensions? A smaller table can be much easier to build, especially for your first one, and be more rigid if built with MDF. You say you have access to a shop. If you are a good fabricator, make it out of metal. But get your design right the first time! Does this shop have a lathe? If it does, and you can use it or get one of your co-workers to do some stuff for you, then you can upgrade a lot of the parts from the standard low budget CNC fodder. If you can get to a mill too, all the better! What is your total budget?

[Blackhawk]

Not very high, it is a school shop, I AM a student and am freinds with the Shop Teacher. he lets me come in after school and practice welding and such. The shop has a lathe, but it isn't working. . It needs parts. I asked him if it could be my pet project in the shop, and he said that it needed more than that, that it needs some parts and such. I think that a 24"x17 would work. Is that a good size to start with? I will be getting my steppers out of old printers. My mom works at a school and they throw stuff out all the time. I am going to check on a printer today and see if I can have it. I want the router to cut out balsa model airplane parts, ribs, lite ply fuse doublers and the like so that I can kit some planes for a profit. I need a way to make money for my expensive hobby, and working at school doesn't quite get me there. I could make it out of metal, I am a careful person, but I would need to use a jig to weld everything up. Would 2" square tubing work well? 1 inch? I can get this pretty easily. I was planning on MDF for my first one just for simplicity's sake. KISS comes to mind, I don't want to be making anything too complicated.

[pack rat]

MY suggestion is to stay away from welding. It would complicate the project, prolong it and it would preform same as MDF in cutting balsa. Maybe on the next machine. Problem with CNC is that when you finished the assembly you find out the machine is off.To adjusted MDF is much more forgiving then steel. In this forum you will find all necessary information and help from members. Don't make your first machine your last (Hu). 24x17 is good start.

[Blackhawk]

So does anybody have a basic plan Icould follow? I want to use the Steel pipe and Abec bearings for the rail system, this seems simple enough. I just want to cut out some stuff for myself and some kits to make some money.

[Hobbiest]

If you are going to be scavenging printers for their steppers, go ahead and try to find some old dot matrix printers. The bigger, older, and heavier the better! Electric typewriters can also be a good source for steppers. If you find some old IBM printers, the steppers in them would work well for a small light cutting machine. Those old printers also have polished steel rod, usually 1/2" min, and bronze bushings in the carriages. You could design the machine around those components size, and come out with a really nice working machine (for light stuff). That is what I would suggest. Also, use MDF, as you will only be cutting out light stuff anyway. Look for those old printers, and keep posting here! Excited for younger people to get into this hobby (I am 24)!

[balsaman]

Check www.crankorgan.com for cheap home made cnc machines that work.

E

[Blackhawk]

So which design is considered better for this size of machine, moving the router in all directions (Inculding back and forward), or mounting the router on a solid peice and just moving it side to side and up and down, while moving the table surface back and forth (like the 7th sojourn). I don't know which is better.

[balsaman]

Moving table design is more rigid and less complex for a first machine, but takes up more room.

E

[Blackhawk]

moving table will be easier to setup the slides too. Room isn't really and issue. More ridgid=more accurate=better quality parts. I will go with that. Does anyone have plans for something similar to the 7th sojourn but bigger? 24x17 or so? Thanks.