a couple questions...

[rcbamm]

hi guys, my name is Dan. my dream is to design and build my own things... well as i am big into the RC airplane world and I will be mostly building with Bolsa wood, hard woods, and foam. (Depron and bluecore foam ) but then again, I know I will be wanting to make stuff out of metal. I would also want to learn how to mill my own metal parts and stuff, but first I want to learn how to CNC router cutt!

I am reading that I can build my own CNC router table but still have not found a good source of info on exactly what "To do" and what to buy to build it

this CNC router table here on this website (cuttingedgecnc.com) is exactly what I am looking for. http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/foamyairplane.htm

but I see that on K2's website, it is about 4k RTR? am I correct? if I can build a router table similar to this one (has to be about 40" long and alteast 20" width) cheaper, that is what I am looking for. now I don't know to much about the software I need to use with a CNC router but I have TurboCad and was wondering if this software can drive the CNC router table? if it can that can save me some money.


what I am looking for is a cheap DIY router table that can handle cutting thin aluminum and hard woods and along with balsa and foam, but yet it be a good working smooth cutting exact cutt out router?


if I sound dumb please tell me but I am new to this and have always wanted to get into it. and I am willing to do what ever it takes to learn and to build (or buy, if I have to) a CNC router table (AND MILLING! somday later on )



thanks! -Dan

[rcbamm]

any one?

[jimluu]

Have you browsed through the dyi? Rockcliff, Joe's, Solsylva and good plans. I'm new to cnc as well, but there is no magic to it. X, Y, Z axis is all you need for movement. A trim router is good to start with. Xylotec, Kelinginc.net have motor/driver/power supply kits. I've already sunk $$$ into many parts.....determine exactly what you want to build. If you mainly cut soft wood, you can get away with less robust rails, motors and could save lots of money. If you really want to get into soft metal, you need a much more robust machine, costing much more.

[rcbamm]

Originally Posted by jimluu Have you browsed through the dyi? Rockcliff, Don's, Solsylva and good plans. I'm new to cnc as well, but there is no magic to it. X, Y, Z axis is all you need for movement. A trim router is good to start with. Xylotec, Kelinginc.net have motor/driver/power supply kits. I've already sunk $$$ into many parts.....determine exactly what you want to build. If you mainly cut soft wood, you can get away with less robust rails, motors and could save lots of money. If you really want to get into soft metal, you need a much more robust machine, costing much more.

well, I know I will mainly be working with Depron foam and balsa wood. I would like to cut metal but if it's gonna cost me alot more I will just stick to the old way of cutting it.

I want to start making my own foam RC airplanes and sell them online.. and same with balsa airplane kits. but I will need it accurate

[rcbamm]

example of what I would like to be doing. ---> http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/foamyairplane.htm

[jimluu]

Try a lengthened rockcliffe design. Real cheap and easy.

[ger21]

I'd look into building Joe's design. There are a ton of people building them.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/joes_cnc_model_2006/
Joe also sells pre cut kits. PM him for info.

[rcbamm]

Originally Posted by jimluu Try a lengthened rockcliffe design. Real cheap and easy.

Do you have a Link do this design? I tried searching it. nothing came up but my thread lol

[rcbamm]

Originally Posted by rcbamm Do you have a Link do this design? I tried searching it. nothing came up but my thread lol

I found Rockliffs website and I like that design alot but it is wayy to small for what I am looking for. i'm gonna read some more and see if I can make the length longer.

[Netjams]

Joes kit is way cool and has a large cut size too.

[rcbamm]

man I really like the fact that the Rockcliff design can be made out of wood. I am good at working with wood. I havn't had to much time with cutting metal. but bolt on assembly with metal I can do.

[jimluu]

Originally Posted by rcbamm man I really like the fact that the Rockcliff design can be made out of wood. I am good at working with wood. I havn't had to much time with cutting metal. but bolt on assembly with metal I can do.

OK, seems like I was in the same boat just a few weeks ago. Here's my personal design for you.

x rail: $300 : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...4823&rd=1&rd=1
I know you want 40", but you need 48" to account for the length of the truck
Ball screw for x rails: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8063&rd=1&rd=1

these go for around $125
y rail: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pacific-Bearing-...QQcmdZViewItem
These sell for under $100 and includes the ballscrew to simplify things

z axis: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...2190&rd=1&rd=1
These are around $100 and the ball screw is built in.

Hook'em together with basic wood panels (see dyi pictures for ideas)

Driver Motor: http://kelinginc.net/CNCPackage.html

Package 'a' is plenty for your needs

Mach 3 software ($140), CAD/CAM software: calibre and freemill are free to get you started.

Good luck

This a great package for $1000. All ball screw with little to no backlash. Would be sturdy and precise enough for most projects. Once you're up and going, use it to cut aluminum panels to replace your wooden panels for a super sturdy machine.