Jack's CNC build

[bkboggy]

Congratulations! I, myself, am not too far from finishing my build.

[Jack000]

looking forward to seeing you guys' cuts! actually, no.. that'll probably make me jealous

the more I look at it, the crappier my build seems. I think the first chance I get I'll rebuild the gantry and get a new router.

actually, while running a test today I noticed that my router (bought used for $25..) suddenly started making a different noise, and when it spun down it made kind of a clicking noise. That kind of makes me nervous.

what happens when a router dies? Does it go up in smoke/flames? Anyways I'm keeping a finger on the estop now

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by Jack000 the more I look at it, the crappier my build seems. I think the first chance I get I'll rebuild the gantry and get a new router.

You know what, my first machine isn't even fully built and I'm somewhat close to finnishing the design for my secound one. I just hope the one I'm building now will be able to work some aluminum. If only I knew what I do now when I first started. Nah, it was worth it.

[bkboggy]

Jack, how about some pics of the final machine? Crappy or not, you've made a CNC machine and that's something to be proud of. It cuts, it works, it's a cnc -- what more would one ask for, heh. With this machine, it'll be easier for you to design your next. A good example would be Joe's 2006 CNC. Now that you can cut out your own parts, it's a piece of cake.

But, do not bash at your machine, no matter how not "beautiful" it looks (I personally think it looks great (and very very simple) from the earlier pics). You've worked hard and I, myself, am very pleased that you've gotten this far. I've been following your post since the beginning.

As for the router, I don't know much about machinery, but I do know that it is probably not a great idea to be working with an equipment that can injury and/or damage to personal property that is unstable. I bought myself one of these:

Amazon.com: Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets: Your Store

Amazon.com: Hitachi KM12VC 11 Amp 2-1/4-Horsepower Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets: Your Store

It was on sale when I got it. Here's one by itself:

Amazon.com: Hitachi M12VC 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed Router: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Hitachi M12VC 2-1/4-Horsepower Variable Speed Router: Home Improvement

A lot of people use this one because it's the quietest in its class. I got the kit version with two bases just because I am sure I will need some manual work later on and since it was on sale, it seemed like a great idea. I've already used the plunge base to cut out holes for a gigantic cat tree that my wife was making.

-BK

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by Jack000 looking forward to seeing you guys' cuts! actually, no.. that'll probably make me jealous the more I look at it, the crappier my build seems. I think the first chance I get I'll rebuild the gantry and get a new router. actually, while running a test today I noticed that my router (bought used for $25..) suddenly started making a different noise, and when it spun down it made kind of a clicking noise. That kind of makes me nervous. what happens when a router dies? Does it go up in smoke/flames? Anyways I'm keeping a finger on the estop now

My old Craftsman router died last fall. (RIP) It just tripped the ground fault circuit breaker (you do have those, right?) with no mushroom cloud or shower of sparks. Too unimpressive really. Good thing I wasn't holding it in my bare hands at the time. It slung a few wires off the armature into the field core. That unusual sound means something. It could be bearings, bearing to case slippage, or something else, but it's almost guaranteed that it will get worse.

CarveOne

[Jack000]

I'll upload some pics when I'm finished the whole thing. Right now I'm more concerned about finishing this robotics project on time!

The router's been working 5 hours straight now without dying, so I'm pretty hopeful that it'll last for a while. I also burnt my first bit to death! I tried to do a 3d profile and bit off more than I could chew in each pass, lesson learned I guess

The second time around I tried light passes, quick feed rate and the bit seems to be holding up. But it's still charring a bit even though it's barely taking off any material in each pass. Any tips on avoiding bit burnout?

[FandZ]

Reading around, bits looks like the big deal along side speed and cut depths.

[bkboggy]

I noticed that you use end mill bit instead of a regular router bit, how did you mount that on your router? I was looking at some end mill bits and it seems that their shank size vary greatly.

[Jack000]

enco sells 1/4" endmills. I've been told that the 4 flute ones I bought are not good for anything but steel, but since I've burnt my only 2 flute spiral bit that was my only option..

I'm not sure what the difference is between an endmill and a spiral bit, but I assume spiral bits are better for wood since they're designed for that kind of material.

[BobF]

Buy solid carbide router bits. End mills are not designed for the speeds a router turns and they are used with coolant on mill.
Router bits are designed to run at high speeds with nothing but air to cool them. Also looks like you are cutting mdf which is hard on any bit.

http://centuriontools.com/
http://www.hartvilletool.com/category/630
http://ballewsaw.com/