Newbie- Few questions to start me off.

[ClintonH]

Hey guys, just joined a few days ago been wanting to build a cnc router for a few years but haven't had the space. Bought a new house with a garage a few months back and now it's time to fill the garage up.

What I'd like to be able to cut is wood and aluminium plate, 1/4"-1/2" if that's realistic. I'd really like to make it out of aluminium or steel for the most part, I'm a Autobody mech (hot rods, customs etc.) so I have more experience with that medium. Would like to keep the size fairly small, say 2'X4' . Can I use a full sized router for something of this size? And last question for this post . Does this look like the same aluminium that's being used in alot of the builds posted here? Thanks for any suggestions or advise you all have to share.




Clinton

[marabou]

that is great stuff for building,make it big from the start,it takes time building machines,and with your occupation of work, you could be in for a machine with a good depth ability and nice x y movements for making molds for composite race parts, like bonnets and doors etc.
one of my customers wanted a small machine for making small boat parts,a 50cm x 100cm,i told him to go home and think more creativly in a larger scale for his matter of occupation as a boatbuilder, the machine is being designed for 200cm x 100cm so it can make the rudders and doors etc.
my advice would be to make some simular scale model pieces of your aluminium in balsawood, or put the drawing of the end profiles into google scetch up and make a nice 3d model first.

[ahren]

Clinton,
The extrusion looks similar to other stuff out there, but it must have been for some specialized application. Most of the generic structural stuff has holes running lengthwise through the material that can be tapped out for fasteners, which your extrusion appears not to have. However, the black pieces appear to have nice T-slots, so they should be great for building a router.
As for materials, you can cut aluminum with a router, but you'll want to turn the speed down, and go in light passes unless you can make the frame extremely stiff. If you use a lot of steel, that might be possible.
Anyway, looks like you've got some fun ahead -- good luck with your build!

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by ClintonH Hey guys, just joined a few days ago been wanting to build a cnc router for a few years but haven't had the space. Bought a new house with a garage a few months back and now it's time to fill the garage up. What I'd like to be able to cut is wood and aluminium plate, 1/4"-1/2" if that's realistic. I'd really like to make it out of aluminium or steel for the most part, I'm a Autobody mech (hot rods, customs etc.) so I have more experience with that medium. Would like to keep the size fairly small, say 2'X4' . Can I use a full sized router for something of this size? And last question for this post . Does this look like the same aluminium that's being used in alot of the builds posted here? Thanks for any suggestions or advise you all have to share. Clinton

It looks like junkyard wars, can you build a router from this stuff in less than 12 hours?


It looks like you are on the right track.
If you have some steel lying around the base of the machine is very similar to a trailer frame with legs. My base is made from wood and I would love to make it out of steel when I get the time.
If not, you seem to have a good quantity of material right there. I would lay it out on paper first before you cut the first piece. I would also consider making it 4' x 4' but that is just me. A full size router like the one you have in the picture will work just fine. On my router I don't cut aluminum but I have heard that a lot of people do. 1/2" thick alum sounds awfully thick to do on a router. It is the rigidity that alows you to cut metal, as a general rule. Plus the speed and feed need to be just right. You can cut wood all day, you don't even need a cnc machine you could just hold the router in your hand but I understand why you want the cnc router for.
You can't hold a router in your hand and cut 1/2" alum not enough rigidity.
Hopefully the people that cut alum om their routers will chime in and give you the details.
Mike

[ClintonH]

Thanks for the reply guys. I don't really have the room for a bigger machine, this will be for my own personal use and I only have an oversized single garage and I'll be doing restorations so most of it's taken up. The biggest I can do is the 2'x3' I already messured that out. Oh and I don't work with glass or carbon, only steel in the jobs I do. Planishing hammer, hammer doly metal break and me.

I could build the whole machine out of steel without an problem at all, thought I'd use aluminium for the weight factor and it seemed to be the more favored material. I have lots of steel to build with, I would be fine with that I work with it every day. And for routing the aluminium would it be ok to make multiple passes, say 1/8" each pass? It wouldn't be a time factor just more of an accuracy one.

Thanks again I'll keep reading through the posts until I find something I think might work for me.

Clinton

[TOTALLYRC]

If you are planning on doing a lot of aluminum you should really consider a benchtop mill, especially if you are concerned with the accuracy. At the 2' X 3' size you are going to get some flex and that is where your accuracy problems creep in. If you need plus or minus .010" a router will work. If what you need is +-.001 get a mill it will save time and money in the long run. plus you are looking to cut 1/2" alum.

Other guys with more router experiance than me will chime in but take a hard look at what you want it to due today and tommrow.I think most guys use alum because it is easier to work with and is lighter. Steel will be stiffer and heavier.

By all means build the machine to the size that will fit, I guess that I am spoiled in the fact that I have more room. But I don't have a garage.


I am not trying to discourage you in any way nor due I want to piss off any of the router owners out there. Just want to make sure you are happy with the final result.
Mike

[ClintonH]

Thanks for the reply Total, I'm going to now do a router table just for wood. I bought a 10X18 Lathe today and iI'll buy a mill next month for myself for Xmas. Thanks again.

Clinton