Newbie- Kits

[Drools]

I have been surfing through this forum for about 2 weeks. I have seen many very very nice machines. I have almost decided on what I'm going to build but I'm not 100% there. All I need is a simple PCB Mill but as most folks I'm on a tight budget. I like the "Brute" machine by John Kleinbauer (no plans available for a while as he is moving) and I also like the "Instant Z axis" found here http://www.angelfire.com/az2/proff/PaulJonesZAxis.html.
I'm not very good at drilling 2 holes square and perpendicular so I was wondering if there are kits available for just the X and Y axis.
I'm very comfortable doing the electronics and computer end but the hardware may end up being a cash pit as I'm not very good at fabricating things.

Brent

[rrdiaz30]

Do a search on CNCROUTERPARTS or look at these links and designs:

Free plans and kit parts are here for a bolt together CNC router:

http://www.finelineautomation.com/
2'x3' Free Router Plans - All Aluminum and Steel, Completely Bolt together

You need the solidworks drawing viewer to view the plans. It's available from the site. Just scale it down for your application.

Other designs using the CNCROUTERPARTS bearings and plates.

My first Build (2'x3' $1800)
CNCRouterParts -- New linear motion system for use with 8020 extrusion.
8020/MDF Hybrid Desktop
Fixed Gantry Machine
Building a "desktop" CNC machine

Rick

[abomb55076]

Another idea is look around on ebay and other used parts places for linear slides or linear tables. Some come fairly large and will be big enough for your needs. There a alot of options on there with different styles and sizes. I was thinking about buying a premade x and y table when I was going to build my machine, not a bad idea... Good Luck!

[vtxstar]

I have a Brute running now.

If you are limited in resources to make good parts, skills being a resource also, keep searching for a kit or someone willing to let an older machine go.

The Brute is best built with good shop/machine tools.
My hand tool built parts are all being replaced with my machine tool built parts.

Regardless, I still hate the aluminum window channel materil called out in the plans. I got mine for free so that saved material costs but the time I have spent working around the foibles of the channel was a poor trade.

[nlancaster]

http://joescnc.com/

The above site has 2 differnet Very will built and very accurate machine kits for sale.

http://cnczone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=346

And it also has alot of presense on the zone.

[Drools]

I sent Joe an e-mail, maybe he can help me with a bolt together X/Y for the parts I have so far. I hope to make a gantry style mill with a ~4" Z axis, ~24" Y axis and a ~36" X axis.

Hardware:
http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/Precision...__W0QQ_armrsZ1
1 x 12” x 1/2-10 ACME rod for Z axis.
1 x 24” x 1/2-10 ACME rod for Y axis.
1 x 36” x 1/2-10 ACME rod for X axis.
3 x .3125 Bearing Block For NEMA 23 Motor Mount.
3 x NEMA 23 Motor Mounts for ACME CNC Router.
3 x .3125 Bearing Mounting Block for CNC Lead Screws.
5 Delrin nuts to be used with above lead screws.

2 x 30"x1" hardened steel rod for Y axis.
2 x 42"x1" hardened steel rod for X axis.
6' 1" Aluminum angle and 2 packages 8ea of skate bearings along with mounting hardware (5/16 bolts).
Aluminum spindle (dremel) holder.
I purchase a 6'length of 3"x.5" aluminum plate to be use for my Z-axis and whatever else I may need it for. As well I made 8 2"x.5"(aluminum) adjustment blocks for the 1" rods however this might have been premature as the X/Y axis design might change and I might not need them.
5 x 1/8" 15degree carbide cutting bits for PCB routing.

Electronics:
3 x Atmel AVR based stepper controllers 3@55VDC.
2 x 40VDC 20amp power supplies.
2 x 5VDC 15amp power supplies.
5+ x old ATX power supplies.

Several computers (my day job as a MSCE and programmer) and cables to connect above electronics.
1 x large enclosure to house stepper controllers and power supplies.
3 x Used steppers motors tested with the above electronics and Kcam4/Mach3.
1 x NIB dremel to be use as a spindle (until a real spindle can be purchased)