How Cheap is Cheap???

[HomeCNC]

This CNC hobby, like others is still not cheap in my opinion. My Wood Router that is on my website is something I built from scratch for a learning experience. Even using just plywood for the structure I still had over $300.00 into this thing, and it cut like sh#*. Using Stepperworld’s first Unipolar design it had no power at all.

What has other people spent on their router or mill for CNC? Was it a usable machine when you were finished?

[CNCadmin]

I spent about 300.00 on my machine but the drives and the some of the parts came from a friend.

[rcrabb]

I think cheap is building a functional machine for under $1000. I think what keeps the cost down is free stuff. If your lucky enough to have access to machine tools that can help also.

[balsaman]

Hi,

I spent about $350.00 for mine. Mostly for the drives.

Eric

[rcrabb]

balsaman, how much did you spend on your slides?

[balsaman]

Slides and bearings were all salvaged from the scrap bin where I work (factory)...


Eric

[paulried]

Balsaman:

What is the main structure (grey painted parts) of your router made of? Aluminum, MDF, or plywood?

[balsaman]

I used MDF. The leadscrews are 1/2-10 acme rod, the nuts are home made from delrin blocks, the steppers are 100 oz. I use a Stepperworld FET3 unipolar board, on 27 volts. I get 45" per minute on x and y and 30 on Z. I use a small router that holds 1/8" and 1/4" collets.

See my clock threads for some stuff I have made.

http://www.cnczone.com/showthread.php?threadid=228

http://www.cnczone.com/showthread.php?threadid=366

Eric

[paulried]

I saw your clocks and loved them. I have the DXF's and am going to attempt one when my "CHEAP CNC" arrives...hopefully next week.

What software are you using for Cad. Cam, and machine control?

[ger21]

I'm also hoping to stay under $1000. I'm trying to build a 24" x 48" machine running belt driven homemade drive nuts turning on 2 start 1/2-8 acme screws. I've already got my Z-axis bearings, 2 253 oz-in steppers, xylotex boards (3axis + single - 2 motors on moving gantry). If my design works as planned, I should finish somewhere in the $1000 range. If it doesnt work, I'll build a smaller, more conventional machine.

Gerry

[HomeCNC]

Balsaman is disqualified from the cheap CNC machine contest!!! He has connections we don't have!

[balsaman]

What software are you using for Cad. Cam, and machine control?

Autocad

AceConverter or MasterCam

TurboCNC



Eric