WOW! This is great! I'm not the only one!

[eford8]

First off, this is my first post.

I work at a fabricating company (one that makes lawn mowers) At work we have a plethora of machines (i.e. CNC, Lasers, Plasma, etc) and i was recently transferred to a different department, from my new position (running an automatic bandsaw) i have a perfect view of one of the Farley Laserlab plasma cutters, it's AMAZING. Well i got to thinking that one probably wasn't to hard to build (scaled down of course). But to make a long story short, after a few weeks of day dreaming and sketching (poorly) i thought that I had a solid idea of how to build one. I jumped online and to my great surprise, and relief, i am not to only one who has had such an idea. So, i have decided to slightly change my plan and instead of focusing on metal (which i really have no need for) i will be making a wood CNC router. I had so many questions that i just started reading everything i could get my hands on. These are the only questions left.

Lead Screws, Acme Screws, Ball Screws, etc: Which on is best and where can i get them? Also, do I need the block for one end and a connector for the other (motor side)? I've looked online and it seems like there are so many options that i simply can't make a decisoin. I am looking for somewhere/someone that could send me 3 lengths (X,Y,Z) with all of the necessary components. Any info would be great.

Second: I am thinking about ordering this kit
http://www.*************/cncpackages.../80ozin12v.htm

(motors and controller $129) any comments about it?

The working area i am planning is only going to be about 2 feet x 1 foot x 5 inches for the Z. Will these motors suffice? is there a better option that I can not find?

I'm so ready to learn it's almost discusting.

Thanks
Eddie

p.s. Did anyone else have problems sleeping when they first got into this stuff? It's all i think about!

[eford8]

for some reason the link showed all ****s for the domain. Here it is again (I hope)

www.*************/cncpackages/80ozin12v/80ozin12v.htm

[BigDaddyG]

Eddie,
It's only just begun! Look into ball screws if you can efford them, they are the best. Second choice, Nook Lead screws offer a precision lead screw that is very economicly priced. The best choice by far! The lead is +/-.003 which is far better than acme and not quite as good as a precision ball screw.

80oz is a small motor, but will work for lite passes in wood. My recomendation would be to look for something above 300. There are plenty of good deals out there, including driver/motor packages.

Good Luck my friend! Welcome aboard!
Glen

[eford8]

Thanks for the quick reply Glen! When i am looking for Lead screws do i need to also (seperatly) find the bearing block for the dead end? or does that come with the kit? What about the lovejoy to connect the screw to my motor? I am looking for a new motor/controller combo right now!

[CNCadmin]

Here are some links for you http://cnczone.com/modules.php?name=...ategory&cid=60

[BigDaddyG]

Eddie,
No problem, always like to help. Head to http://Stepper3.com or Tormach.com for motors if your looking for new. I see someone has already posted for drives. You might also check out Gecko, a good line of drivers with lots of users. You should be able to pick up 600oz motors for around $150-$180 new, not too bad.

Nook sells the whole assy, or you can piece together you choice. I like to order the whole-kit-and-kabootal myself. You will find many ready to help here and lots of good ideas shared. Good Luck,
Glen

[CNCadmin]

I found these stepper motor for sale - http://cnczone.com/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=7

[ger21]

For a small machine look at http://www.xylotex.com

[eford8]

This group is just a wealth of information. I am seriously conidering buying the motors from xylotec. The 3 of them for 80 bones sounds like a good deal. Although they are about half the power of the ones that Glen suggested? I am planning on mounting a dremel to do small wood sign carving stuff, possibly PCB (but that is a small possibly), and perhaps some metal engraving, just simply keychain type things. So do you think those motors would suffice?

As far as the controller... I'm thinking about putting my soldering skills to work and either buying a kit or if (and that's a big IF) i can find a plan to make a 3 axis controller, i would really like to breadboard it together. I know that it's much more difficult but if the price difference between buying a kit/preassembled unit and putting one together is big enough, i might just do it my time is cheap right?

I'm still at a loss for the lead screws. Everything that i have looked at (and i'm assuming i'm looking in the wrong places) is WAY to expensive. For instance the link my dad sent me... for a 6" precision acme screw (with mounting blocks, etc) was around $600! can that be right?

Also, i'm thinking about making a tool changing device (like that found in a HAAS CNC machine) anyone have experience with that?

Thanks again for everything
Eddie

[samualt]

eford8:
"...for a 6" precision acme screw (with mounting blocks, etc) was around $600! can that be right?"

NO, that is wrong. You can find stuff so much cheaper. Have you tried Ebay? They have lots of good stuff for cheap. Search ebay for: "ball screw", "acme screw", "lead screw", etc... You will find short stuff like you want for as little as $20. Maybe $50 if it had mounting blocks and other stuff to go with it.

Does it have to have mounting blocks? Why not just buy some flange or pillow bearings. Try SurplusCenter for bearings.

[Moondog]

eford...

Have a look at this site http://www.sdp-si.com/ they have lots of great products. You can buy a 16mm lead screw for about $70.00 plus bearings... they also have a great selection of Alum pulleys and belts.

cheers

[ger21]

I'm still at a loss for the lead screws. Everything that i have looked at (and i'm assuming i'm looking in the wrong places) is WAY to expensive. For instance the link my dad sent me... for a 6" precision acme screw (with mounting blocks, etc) was around $600! can that be right?

Also, i'm thinking about making a tool changing device (like that found in a HAAS CNC machine) anyone have experience with that?

Thanks again for everything
Eddie

The majority of that $600 is for the end blocks. They're very expensive. Go to msc here, http://www.mscdirect.com/PDF.process...=451&Keyword=Y and get some precision 1/2-10 acme for $18 for 6 ft. The ones on the bottom part of the page. Others might tell you that you can get much cheaper acme, but these are good qualite, and very reasonably priced. Get some delrin, and make your own nuts. You can make a tap out of the acme rod. There are a lot of examples on this site of how to mount the screws, but you should be able to set up all 3 screws for no more than $100, probably less. Check out the thread from InventIT on his router.

I'd recommend the Xylotex drivers. You'll more than likely get much better performance than from kit drivers, and it's not that much money.

The only automatic toolchanger I've seen is this one.
http://home.insightbb.com/~joevicar3/default.htm

I've seen one working in person, it's pretty cool.