CNC Kits/Supplies

[Organizer]

Hi: I am a newbie to CNC. I would like to know if anyone know of any good kits that are reasonably priced. I am thinking about a machine about two by 4 foot for sign and plaque making. I have seen parts sites, but would need a detailed list from which to work off of. If anyone knows of any good plans, that would also be helpful. Any help would be greatly appreciated by the forum members. Thanks Joe.

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi Organizer. Welcome to the Zone!

Here's some reading for you:

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?...lover&ie=UTF-8

CR.

[Organizer]

Thanks Crevice Reamer: I will do some reading up. I have been looking at the CNC Shark Pro. Seems like a nice starter machine. I want to study, and consider building one myself before I run out and buy one though. Thanks Joe.

[Crevice Reamer]

Now, for electronics: If you can fit your motors within its 3.5A and 50V limits I recommend your best driver for steppers will be the Gecko G540. This is a combo breakout board and unkillable drive, and is capable of giving you maximum performance.

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Here's some more reading for you:

CarveOne's Solsylva 25x37 Router Build

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?...lover&ie=UTF-8

CR.

[calgrdnr]

The Joes CNC 2006 is a great machine he sells kits or you can get plans here http://www.cnczone.com/forums/joes_cnc_model_2006/ you will need to search . There is alot of build logs for the 2006 model , they helped me out termendously.( now if they could only teach me to spell )He also designed a 4x4 that you can buy plans that will also get you access to his 4x4 forum , The guys there are a wealth of information on that design.

Here is link to Joes kits http://joescnc.com/kitsplans.php

Good luck, 1 piece of advice if you can afford it, always buy the better parts. If your like the rest of us you will end up upgradeing any ways ...

Good luck in what ever design you use and make sure to make a build log... we all love to see what others are doing

kent

[Organizer]

Thanks CR & calgrdnr: What kind of machine do you have? Would you recommend building your own machine? I have been looking at the CNC Shark Pro as a turnkey unit at about thirty two hundred dollars. Comes with V Carve software. I think the size is 2' x 2'. Joe.

[calgrdnr]

Howdy Joe,

Here is my machine.
Joe's 2006 CNC in Visalia,Ca

As for building, depends on the person I suppose . I enjoyed building mine as much as I do making things on it . I will build another one day.

If the Joes 4x4 was out when I started I would of built it. I think it is better design of the 2 . If you look thru my build you will see what I have cut , the 2006 does a great job .

O'yeah the Vcarve by Vectric is a must, better yet the Aspire program. cost more but it is the neatest program. Go to the Vectric form and check out what the guys are doing with it . http://www.vectric.com/forum/

[lovebugjunkie]

Joe,


One thing to remember about a small cutting area is sometimes you have to be “creative” in the way you hold down your work. This is even more critical if you put some kind of dust “shoe” on your z. My present router has a cutting area of 12x19 inches, and sometime it would be nice to have a 4x4 or bigger to do some of the projects I disregard due to the cutting are of my machine.

Not sure what it wold cost to assemble Joe's 4X4 Hybrid or some variant of Joe's but I'm thinking you could do it for less than $3,200.00 USD. 4X4 cutting area will leave you many more options on hold downs, dust shoe and projects you will be able to cut.

I plan on starting a build next year with a cutting area of 4x6, it will be on the line of Joe's 4x4 in many areas.

george