Newbie- DIY CNC.... where do I start.

[Plan>B]

Sorry mods if this is in the incorrect forum.

Ok... I know what I want to do, but just don't know how to do it. And that is to build a 3 axis DIY CNC for acrylic. As I have no clue where to start, let alone even what questions to start, I would be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

I don't need (at least for starters lol) a big machine, but maybe 24"x24" table size?

Throw some Q's at me so I can start the R&D on this thing. About how much (yes I am sure it depends on some 'bells and whistles') would a table of this size cost?

Thanks to all that can help and looking forward to any replies.

[ger21]

Start reading as much as you can here.

How thick is the acrylic you want to cut?

[awerby]

Are you making one specific product, or a range of things?

How big will the largest piece be?

Are you doing 3d carving, or just cutting things out of sheet?

Do you have a well-equipped shop to build things in, or is this a "kitchen table" project?

Will you have a place to put this thing, once it's built, or is this going to live in the livingroom?

How are you figuring on holding the material down while you're cutting it?

Is speed of production important, or just getting it done eventually?

Do you have enough money to buy a machine instead of building one?

Have you ever tried cutting acrylic with a router, even by hand?

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

Originally Posted by Plan>B Sorry mods if this is in the incorrect forum. Ok... I know what I want to do, but just don't know how to do it. And that is to build a 3 axis DIY CNC for acrylic. As I have no clue where to start, let alone even what questions to start, I would be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction. I don't need (at least for starters lol) a big machine, but maybe 24"x24" table size? Throw some Q's at me so I can start the R&D on this thing. About how much (yes I am sure it depends on some 'bells and whistles') would a table of this size cost? Thanks to all that can help and looking forward to any replies.

[Trucks]

Well i guess i have a few comments. I just finished my 3' x 5' table, and i bought some really nice components as far as motors and controllers. I was going to build a small table first, and although so far the biggest part i have machined out is only 6" x 4", i have plans to use the full 30" x 42" i have of travel right now. My comment would be to built it with a nice controller and motors, that way if you want to or when you upgrade to a larger machine, you can possibly reuse some stuff.

You could do belt drive, or threaded rods for your movement, i liked the threaded rods, and the anti-backlash nuts work wonders.

Andy

[Senna]

I'd do as Gerry suggests... but add that you should decide what material you'd like your machine to be constructed of. Then... do a Forum SEARCH with the TAGS that material might evoke. Example... Say you are leaning toward MDF with skate bearings for your linear components... CLICK on the SEARCH drop down menu in the header bar at the top of the page and enter... MDF, skate bearings in the text window and CLICK on TAG SEARCH just below the window.

This will provide a bit of focus that otherwise without could overwhelm you. Lurk and learn... there's a tremendous amount of talent and info here...!

Senna

[Plan>B]

Thanks everyone that has taken the time to reply. I am pretty much just diving into this so please bear with me on the noob Q's, though I am a fast learner. My replies will be in red

Originally Posted by ger21 Start reading as much as you can here. I have started on this site, though I am at info overload and have been puffed out with info and will start to collect my thoughts. How thick is the acrylic you want to cut? It could vary from 1/8" sheets to maybe 18"x10' funnel's, the soul purpose of the cnc is to DIY items for my aquarium equipment and friends.

Originally Posted by awerby Are you making one specific product, or a range of things? Mostly items for me and my friends aquarium (salt water) equipment, though I can see this leading to other hobbies real quick. How big will the largest piece be? It could vary from 1/8" sheets to maybe 18"x10' funnel's, the soul purpose of the cnc is the DIY items for my aquarium equipment and friends. Are you doing 3d carving, or just cutting things out of sheet? Both Do you have a well-equipped shop to build things in, or is this a "kitchen table" project? Pretty much "garage table" project Will you have a place to put this thing, once it's built, or is this going to live in the livingroom? It will stay in my garage but being able to break it down would be a plus How are you figuring on holding the material down while you're cutting it? Haven't gott'n that far yet to even know Is speed of production important, or just getting it done eventually? Speed in not important to me as I am using this for personal items Do you have enough money to buy a machine instead of building one? I don't want to say I'm not worried about the money, but the DIY is part of the fun for me, if this was to take off buying one would be considered. I also have thought about making one to get the 'feel' for what I want and making an upgrade, with the my first build Have you ever tried cutting acrylic with a router, even by hand? Yes I have, but there are alot of items that would be to small to do so (pump mods blah blah blah. Great questions Andrew, thanks Andrew Werby www.computersculpture.com

Originally Posted by Trucks Well i guess i have a few comments. I just finished my 3' x 5' table, and i bought some really nice components as far as motors and controllers. I was going to build a small table first, and although so far the biggest part i have machined out is only 6" x 4", i have plans to use the full 30" x 42" i have of travel right now. My comment would be to built it with a nice controller and motors, that way if you want to or when you upgrade to a larger machine, you can possibly reuse some stuff. I totally hear ya, as my first cnc is to get the feel of what I want and don't want and taking the controller and motors to the next build. Buy the way, got any links for these items and I haven't started looking at those yet. You could do belt drive, or threaded rods for your movement, i liked the threaded rods, and the anti-backlash nuts work wonders. Threaded rods.... that does sound better, will consider that, thanks. Andy

Originally Posted by Senna I'd do as Gerry suggests... but add that you should decide what material you'd like your machine to be constructed of. Then... do a Forum SEARCH with the TAGS that material might evoke. Example... Say you are leaning toward MDF with skate bearings for your linear components... CLICK on the SEARCH drop down menu in the header bar at the top of the page and enter... MDF, skate bearings in the text window and CLICK on TAG SEARCH just below the window. This will provide a bit of focus that otherwise without could overwhelm you. Lurk and learn... there's a tremendous amount of talent and info here...! Thanks Senna I will remember that. Senna

Once again thanks all for posting, I know I have lots to learn. Any comments on this site: http://buildyourcnc.com/billmaterials.aspx interesting, but if it's junk I'll though it out.

Any one get one of those plans and have good results from them? And if so, which site/one?

Oh... though I could see this getting into other items such as wood, what would it take for lite aluminium, just a thought at least

Keep'm coming

[FandZ]

Two years ago I don't think there were options others than build it yourself unless you had a large budget. Now there are two options that I would seriously give a hard look at.

First there is the kit offered by finelineautomation. $1300.00 and all you need to add are electronics, a router, and a mount. Here is a link to the online store and a link to the thread.
http://www.finelineautomation.com/st...g=Complete+Kit
2'x3' Free Router Plans - All Aluminum and Steel, Completely Bolt together

They have some videos floating around of it routing aluminum. It's has a 2x3 cutting area.

Next are the machines offered by modular cnc. They have a 12x11 one for only 350. http://modularcnc.flyingcart.com/ind...&pid=3&cat_id=

I'd probably go with the modular cnc machine to learn on and to help me build a second larger machine later on. But I'm cheap and have a family to support.

Building your own is enjoyable and challenging, I did it and am doing it again with the help of my current machine, but if they had these deals when I was building my 1st machine I wouldn't have done it. Why build when you could be useing? The ultimate goal is to use a cnc machine and not just build one. The average build is probably 3 months to a year. Some people spend a few years building theirs. Then once it's built you still have to contend with cad and cam, spindle speeds and cutters, and working all the kinks out of your machine.

That is my 2c on the matter.

No matter what though, you have a lot of reading to do

[bajaru]

If you'd like to build it yourself, another site to check out is Patrick Hood-Daniel's machine at http://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx I ordered the 4x8 kit and I'm almost done. I didn't know one darn thing about CNC before I started and this was a good route for me to go because:
1) I don't have a lot of money to spend
2) building from a kit is a great way to learn about the machine
3) I have a garage, some tools and some woodworking experience
4) Patrick's a GREAT resource for all those "dumb" questions that arise during the process

I would agree with the folks who say there's a lot of work and studying to do if you're just starting out. I'd say the effort is quite comparable to the effort required to do well in college. There's just so many aspects of CNC'ing that all have to come together before you can even cut your first part. But that's what makes it fun and why you can charge good money for your work.

-BrianB

< Yeah doc, I'm having trouble sleeping. See, I'm building a CNC router in my garage and every time I try to relax, another new idea just pops into my head... >

[johnmac]

Go to the photo gallery and look at all of the home built machines. It helped me decide how to build mine. It really helped me decide what NOT to do.

John

[ilya]

I would absolutely recommend cncrouterparts and finelineautomation solution. It's very elegant and easy to build with basic tools. I myself have built the cnc machine with their parts and I'm completely satisfied with its performance.
You can see the machine in action on this forum some threads ago or on this site.

[Plan>B]

Hey thanks to all that have taken the time to reply.

I am getting real close to know what I want to get, but I am not sure of the router to buy. What are some suggestions? If you can, provide Model numbers please. Just trying to compare at this time.

Thanks once again.

[ahren]

I suggest the Hitachi M12VC -- it's a reasonably priced, quiet, variable speed router that I use on my machine. I'd love to help you with your machine, so feel free to PM me if I can help you out.

Best regards,

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com