First Build Started - 2750 x 1600 R&P

[rnm85]

It was about 3 weeks ago that I discovered it was possible to build a DIY CNC router. I stumbled across a clip of one on youtube and I couldn't believe it. I thought you would have to be some sort of engineering/mechanical genius to build one (which I am definitely not). The further I looked in to it the more I realised it may be possible to do. I found sites like this and cncrouterparts.com which had plans and parts etc. and have decided to give it a go!

I am basing my build around the plans from cncrouterparts.com using the majority of their mechanical components. I've just placed my order with Ahren and spent yesterday afternoon building the table with the help of a mate who can weld. I've got a bit more to do on it before the parts arrive from the states, I'm in Australia, but it should be ready to go when the parts get here.

Table may need some more bracing but I'll wait to see how it goes once I have all my other parts. Bit of an over kill with the steel sizes for the table. I think I'd be able to drive a car on top of it no problem but it is what I could get hold of quickly and easily. Photos attached.

I'm sure there will be plenty of questions to come in the build process!

Rory

[pippin88]

Nice start. Where abouts are you based?

[aussiefreebs]

Hey Rory,

My story is almost exactly the same as yours and I to am in Australia. Im going to build a Solsylva machine, primarily out of timber. The components I'll just have to get as I can afford them. I gots me 4 little 'cherubs' here that do a great job of draining any disposable income in a real hurry.

I look forward to following the build mate,

Cheers

Gav

[rnm85]

Pippin88 - Based on the Sunshine Coast in QLD

Gav - Yeah I have been getting products I design laser cut, water cut and CNC routered and it never even crossed my mind that I could build a machine to do some of the work myself but I am very excited about it. It will be interesting to see how it goes!

Rory

[rnm85]

Im trying to figure out my electronics set up at the moment. I'm in two minds, one go with cheaper components bought on eBay from china along the lines of this or some gecko products purchased from cncrouterparts.

I think either option is virtually plug and play however I have read a few forums where people have had issues setting up there cheaply bought chinese products. I definitely would prefer the gecko parts but as always money is an issue!

Anyone have any experience with these or could offer me any advice like 'definitely DON'T buy the cheap ones because . . . . .' I would be happy to listen and take it on board!

Thanks in advance,

Rory

[pippin88]

If you are using this machine to make money at all just go the Gecko's. Have never heard a bad thing about them.
I'm using probotix gear, and it's decent but the support and community knowledge for the Gecko's outweigh the price difference.

[rnm85]

Thanks for the advice. I've been doing a lot of reading today trying to get my head around the differences and other people experiences with different motors and I am leaning toward the gecko motors.

I think I can save quiet a bit of money by using some more steel C channel in place of 8020 aluminium extrusion for the x axis which will help cover the cost difference between good motors and crappy motors.

Thanks for the help!

Rory

[jharvey407]

Im trying to figure out my electronics set up at the moment. I'm in two minds, one go with cheaper components bought on eBay from china along the lines of this or some gecko products purchased from cncrouterparts.

I think either option is virtually plug and play however I have read a few forums where people have had issues setting up there cheaply bought chinese products. I definitely would prefer the gecko parts but as always money is an issue!

Anyone have any experience with these or could offer me any advice like 'definitely DON'T buy the cheap ones because . . . . .' I would be happy to listen and take it on board!

Thanks in advance,

Rory

I have been using a 3 axis kit from Keling for about a year now and I have no complaints.

I am using the KL-4030 drivers and the 425 oz motors. My router has a cutting area of 36" x 52" and I get 1000 ipm rapids using the CNC router R&P drive system.

I have not used the Gecko products, so I don't have any direct experience, but one concern I've had every time that I look at them is that they seem to be able to only produce 1/10 micro steps, whereas other drives can be set to different micro steps.

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your build.

[ahren]

Rory,

Thanks for pointing me to your thread. If you decide to go with steel channel, you might as well weld the gear rack to it, rather than fussing the rack clamps, which can save you even more money on your build to pay for Geckos

As to the microstepping question, in my experience there's not a lot of benefit from playing with this number unless you are limited in pulses per second from your PC. Our mechanical systems are geared relatively high to take advantage of stepper motor low end torque, so the 1/10 microstepping does not impact top speed, and gives about the maximum increase in effective resolution one can expect from microstepping.

Best regards,

Ahren
CNCRouterParts

[rnm85]

Thanks jharvey407 for the advice, I think i'm going to go with the Geckos as I know I want regret it in the future. I don't know enough about these things to try something that I'm not 100% positive will work.

Ahren thanks for the idea on welding the rack! The simple option is always the best it seems!

Rory

[comandojon]

Don't be concerned about over building the table the heavier the better. Rigidity and stability come frome a heavy frame and a good amount of bracing . I have seen plenty of lightweight cnc routers with issues from vibration deflection etc.

Looks like your on to a good start.

What are your plans for controlling it ?
Jon

[rnm85]

Hi comandojon,

Yeah I am happy with the table, when I picked up the steel from the supplier I kind of laughed to myself thinking I was a bit crazy with what I was using but now it's all together I am really happy with it. I haven't done anymore bracing on it because at the moment it's in an old shed with a really out of level concrete floor so I'll wait until I move it to where I will be using it and go from there. It's all perfectly square but it can twist a bit at the moment and I didn't want to weld any of that into it with bracing until it's been moved.

As for my plans to control it, all I have really looked at is mach3. I don't know much at all about how it all works at the moment so I'll start to figure that part out when the time comes!

Ahren - I can't get hold of the 3060 extrusion I was planning to use for my Y axis. I can use more steel channel but am concerned about this adding to the overall weight of the gantry. Do you think using steel will be an issue?

Thanks!

Rory