Are the Klienbaur plans worth the price

[HobbyCNC]

Originally Posted by JamesJames I'm interested in the 'floating nut' I hear about. I would pay John for his plans to find out, but he refuses to sell to people overseas, and I'm in Australia. If you can help me, please email me. Please do NOT post the details here, because I am sure noone wishes to deprive John of reward for his labours by showing the details to the USA members who are his potential customers.

The floating nut allows MAJOR mis-alignment not to bind the nut/leadscrew at the MAJOR cost in backlash. Think of a rectangular nut with the long ends rounded off. Put this rounded off rectangle into a similar shaped cavity that is oversized by about 1/16 all around the perimeter. Put a top and bottom on it to capture it and you'll have the essence of it.

Dave Rigotti

[Jay C]

I'm new here and while I'm not stupid, I am ignorant. I previous years I've built personal robotics (autonomous MCU controlled mobile platforms), planes of foam (from plans not a kit), worked on my Taig micro lathe, and most recently built several small electric motors. I have a EE background but am severely lacking in mechanical experience. I've already gone down several paths thinking that the task was simple (RC airplanes for example) and after paying my "ignorant tax" (that's the extra money you ave to throw at a project to make it work right cause you didn't know any better and screwed it up the first time) about 4 months later I finally got it right.

Time for hobbies has gotten much shorter these days, so I need a jump start on this new hobby I'm investigating. I prefer to innovate a proven design rather than start from scratch. John's site and his Info pages look like the right jumping off point. The Brute looks like the perfect beginner's project for me as space is limited, and most anything I work on is within that machine's size (though I prefer metal and not wood).

I understand the prinicples of the system, it's the mechanics (the bearings, the slides, alignment, materials) that I worry about. I have looked at HobbyCNC's machine ... 2x2' is too big. So are there any plans in the smaller range that I should also consider. I plan to call around to glass places to find out more about the window channel to make sure it's available as that sounds like it's been an issue.

Sorry for the run on, I just finshed a lathe project, so I'm ready to jump on this one next

Thanks in advance,
Jay

[HobbyCNC]

Originally Posted by Jay C I'm new here and while I'm not stupid, I am ignorant. I previous years I've built personal robotics (autonomous MCU controlled mobile platforms), planes of foam (from plans not a kit), worked on my Taig micro lathe, and most recently built several small electric motors. I have a EE background but am severely lacking in mechanical experience. I've already gone down several paths thinking that the task was simple (RC airplanes for example) and after paying my "ignorant tax" (that's the extra money you ave to throw at a project to make it work right cause you didn't know any better and screwed it up the first time) about 4 months later I finally got it right. Time for hobbies has gotten much shorter these days, so I need a jump start on this new hobby I'm investigating. I prefer to innovate a proven design rather than start from scratch. John's site and his Info pages look like the right jumping off point. The Brute looks like the perfect beginner's project for me as space is limited, and most anything I work on is within that machine's size (though I prefer metal and not wood). I understand the prinicples of the system, it's the mechanics (the bearings, the slides, alignment, materials) that I worry about. I have looked at HobbyCNC's machine ... 2x2' is too big. So are there any plans in the smaller range that I should also consider. I plan to call around to glass places to find out more about the window channel to make sure it's available as that sounds like it's been an issue. Sorry for the run on, I just finshed a lathe project, so I'm ready to jump on this one next Thanks in advance, Jay

Just a correction....The HobbyCNC machine has a 24" X travel and 9" Y travel...not 2 x2'

Dave Rigotti

[Jay C]

Dave, sorry about that, I must have confused yours with one of the many I've looked at today. I must say, I just priced building my own controller ... your price is excellent! Looks like I'll be getting one of your 3AUPC Kit + (3) 80oz-in. Most of the sites I've seen are using these sized motors (to run Sherline or Taig mills).

I have been talking with a buddy of mine about his router here ... he is using the xylotex 116oz-in steppers. I want to build one like his are these steppers big enough? Any advice you can give me on this?

Thanks ... looking forward to getting started

[yukonho]

Jay, I would guess that the 80 Oz. steppers would be on the small side. I use 3/8-12 leadscrew, and am going to go with 1/2-10 in the future which would tax the motors even more. If you went with a lower pitch screw (my first machine used 1/4-20 allthread) then you would be less likely to miss steps or stall a stepper, but then you are going slower. A bit slower doesn't seem so bad right now, but once you get your machine going I guarantee that you will say "I wish it was faster".
Honestly what I find is that any time a stepper stalls it is due to binding in the nut or the thrust bearings (one of mine is wonkey) more than cutting forces. So it pays to have a good, smooth running leadscrew and linear slides.
colin

[ElSuperBeastO]

Hmmm........seems like I've arrived a little late to this party? Anywho... I just sent "thin-skinned, raving, off the wall, moody lunatic" as some are referring to him as, 36 Bucks. Should be very interesting To see what kind of reception and product I receive. His style and approach kinda reminds me of a mid 90's "Dennis Leary". As I said, should be interesting.
O'

[Jay C]

Wow you dug up a super-old post. Dave rocks, the HobbyCNC Pro product rocks. My first kit dies (not sure how but it was my fault. The second board is working fine.

FWIW,
Jay

[sansbury]

John is a bit eccentric and a taste not everyone will acquire, but the proof is in the pudding. I finished a Brute a couple months ago and am 100% satisfied. Actually working on a Son of 7th now.

The good thing with John's plans for a beginner is that he tells you the way to do everything, and if he doesn't tell you how to do something, it means it doesn't matter, and if you do it the way he tells you, the machine will almost certainly work. My Brute won't compete with a Sherline or Taig, but for anout 1/10th the cost I'm delighted. They aren't fancy but they get the job done.

Also be sure to sign up for his private builder's forum. There are plenty of people there who have built his machines and can help you, and John also answers a lot of questions. With all the free designs out there his stuff seems to be falling out of fashion, but I would still recommend it highly to anyone who isn't too proud to call themselves a novice.

[ElSuperBeastO]

Got Klienbaurs plans (7th) in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Pretty straight forward and I've made some decent progress on the structure, rails and trolley assembly. Spend most of my time reading/learning cnc theory and collecting build materials than on actual machine constuction so far though. Which I suppose is the whole point ...........plenty more to learn! Even though I still have along way to go on this project, with respect to the original question, I would have to say "yes" his plans are still good value if a basic/budget machine is your build objective.