Where to start. What should be first?

[Nono]

One day it all happend I found cnczone and I knew I could build a CNC Router. I understand the mechanics of a machine like this becouse I used to opperate a CNC Laser. Simple Enough?
Not really where does one start.

Size
Location
What do you want to do with it.
Power supply
Number of axis
Type of controllers
Cam program
Servo motors


What I have is a couple of heavy steel security doors to build a table with and a Great old program called Smartcam 7 and some power supply parts eg 110v ac toroid.

I know what I want it to do and roughly how big it is now what.

[ynneb]

Its hard to advise, since we dont know what you want to do.
Knowing the size of what you want to make is important.
Knowing the accuracy you are willing to bear will detemine what components you need.
Having a budget in mind is essential, unless you are looking to do it over a long time, as money comes in.
Knowing these things will help.

Reading what others have done will help you descide too.

Somtimes it just takes starting a project, even if along the way you find you are going in the wrong direction and have wasted some time and money.

Nono, 2 months ago I had never heard of a CNC before. I am amazed at how far my machine has come in such a short time.
For me it was just reading what others had done and selecting what to copy from them.

The other idea is to just buy plans from those who are selling them in this forum. That would give you a great head start, although maybe not as much a sense of satisfaction.

Here is a picture of my machine taken today. This is designed from different machines that are displayed on this site and others.
I have designed on the go acording to parts availability and price.

[vacpress]

benny

amazing progress! i mean. thats just great looking.. and to think you were considering giving up.... absurd.

[Nono]

ynneb I would like to cut anything my heart desires almost.. wood or metal maybe plastic kinda thinking about small rc boats small like 1.5 or 2 meter pencil boats. There isn't to many things but lots a power is good.

Plans? seen alot not sure what is the best.. been to machinetoolcamp.com they have a four foot by four foot table that is close..and have seen several others any recomendations?

[ynneb]

Hey Nono have a look at this site for plans http://www.crankorgan.com/index.html or this http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?s...viewlink&cid=2

[Nono]

I have decided to start with the table.. 7 feet long be 3 and a half feet wide.. that should give me 30 inches across the gantry which will be stationary. the bed will move back and fourth with about a 40 inchs of cut area. I can't decide how tall the gantry should be.. Thinking 14 inches of travel.

NONE of the plans that I have seen can be made from readily available components... I am a scrap yard junky... Cheap free are words that I understand. Buying plans and mfgd parts is easy just not
rewarding. I also understand that ther are certain costs involved in making such a machine and when the time is right I will purchase some controllers,motors and an endless assortment of stuff..

For the new guy reading this forum start with what you know, and learn more. Know what you want to do with it. Start from the ground up.

Ynneb did you buy the plans for your machine? or are you building from what you know?
Looks great you will be proud of it when your finally finished. Then on to the next machine.. I have heard they self replicate