Why are you building your machine?

[The J]

It's an easy question, with the easiest answers of:

I want to cut wood, plastic, metal, blah blah blah...

But what idea is driving you to put your sweat, tears and $$ into building this machine? Give some of the readers an idea so they can better understand why we do, what we do...

I'll go first:

I have used Autocad for the past 8 years to model anything I can think of or get my hands on. Now, I feel as though it is time for me to start recreating some of those drawings as prototypes, just so I can get a better idea of modeling and maybe push myself a little harder to think outside the box.

Future Plans:
I want to re-create movie/game items
More accurate cabinets (will require a bigger machine)
Better DIY multi-axis CNC Machines

[ger21]

I like to build stuff.

CNC opens the door to things that are impossible to build by hand, and makes it a LOT faster to do other things.

[TOTALLYRC]

I started this "hobby"to make items for the r/c car industry that they wanted a fortune to make in a "real " machine shop.
Now I am setting myself up to make money as a partime job, I can't work for myself and cover all my bills, but I can turn it into a partime job to help put some money away for retirement.

I have always been interested in mechanical things and it allows me to be creative and problem solve.

I don't know about anybody else, but the satisfaction of drawing a part, figuring out how to make it, setting up the tooling and then actually holding that part in your hands makes me feel real good.

Especially after I screw up the first 2 tries.

Mike

[Grunblau]

I like the idea of using my own hands to build a machine that is capable of building something impossible to do with my own hands.

[jsheerin]

Same as Gerry. I actually could build a lot (but not all) of the things I plan on making by hand, but they will take less time and be more accurate to what I designed when made on my CNC. Plus, anything I put the time in to design and program for cutting on my CNC, now I can (fairly) easily make more and sell them to other people to try to recoup the cost of my machine.

[The J]

Very awesome responses, and I agree with everything so far...keep them coming.!

[guru_florida]

I originally built my machine for making Robotic parts. Making my own machine has been a rewarding experience. I had an advanced understanding of electronics, computer systems and programming but lacked mechanics. In robotics you need the trifecta to really master the discipline. By building my own machine I learned the basic machining techniques and processes.

My machine works great but I am working on some small things now. I just made a Atmel based RPM meter with LCD output. Next, I will use it to control the motor speed and close the loop! Then add in adaptive feed control and an ESTOP output if the RPM drops too much from expected output. It should keep away the nastiest of crashes!

You can see my machine build at http://www.colinmackenzie.net/ or videos at guruflorida on youtube.

[Steven S]

I recently got into RC planes and I want a machine for making planes. Not just for cutting out ribs and such. I also like to build 3D models of planes and I want to be able to carve the entire fuselage and wing out of a slab of foam. I made the Spit model below in Rhino about over a decade ago. Since it's just a surface mesh, I'll probably have to rebuild it.

Steve S.

[Northboy]

How much have you spent on this? How many hours? And you have no specific reason to build it?

I have heard these questions several times over the last couple months.Personally I am building a CNC because I think it is a very cool and fun thing to build and a challenge to keep my aging brain active.

Once it is done and working I am sure many uses will become more clear.



Northboy

[Schweinhund227]

Good Question ! Nice question !!!


I was always fascinated by Wood turners or Machinist and see them create beautiful things.... out of Wood Plastic or Metal !!!

I went into a different direction 28yrs in the military and soon retiring...

I wanted to be able to Join together the things I like Most, Computers, CAD Design, Electronics with the End Result of Making things with my Hands

I am Almost ready to assemble my Tabletop CnC Router and Can't wait to make things in 2D and 3D....

Being part of this Forum will Come handy !

Thanks for Asking !

Norm

out !

[bkboggy]

Some people get hooked on drugs, some become addicted to alcohol or cigarettes... the moment I found out about CNC, it became my drug and my bottle of rum.

-BK

[gavztheouch]

Like the idea of building something for relativly little cash but having a machine that I could only dream of affording otherwise.

Hopefully being able to make a sketch of a guitar on A4 paper, then using splines in a graphics program to perfect the curves and overall shape on the screen, then being able to print it out in wood spurs me to finish my machine.