I feel like giving up.

[ynneb]

It is typical of me to start a project because I think it is going to be easy and then find out its not as easy as thought.

I have build the frame for the 8x4. I have bought the servos, I have the driver controllers.I have the transformer on order, and thats where I am at.

I just cant make all the descisions. I am trying to make an economical machine but when I get prices on components It blows me away. Its not that I dont have the money set aside to do this, Its just that I dont want to buy the wrong thing and find its been a waste. It is the pulleys, drive belt, Z arangement and mounting that is worrying me.

I just cant see how I am going to join all the componets and make a working machine. My tools are limited and my work space is either on unlevel ground under the house or on a half level balcony out in the elements.

I know this is meant to be a forum for winners, but I am not feeling like this at the moment.

I think I need someone to baby me through the whole project and after that I will take all the credit.

I am considering using this ( http://www.hepco.co.uk/hep02d_v.htm ) sort of linear bearing idea since it is a quater the price of other sorts of rails. They say it in not as accurate but it seems that the shop bot uses it and gets good results.

[duluthboat]

DIY cnc is like that. This forum is great for helping you not make all the mistakes but I’ve never had a project come out perfect. Many have been surprised when they add up the cost and they only weigh it against the finished machine. You have to add in how much you have learned along the way. Take it one step at a time and you’ll get there.

[Ken_Shea]

My tools are limited and my work space is either on unleveled ground under the house or on a half level balcony out in the elements.
I will bet this is most of your problem, I have been there and know how frustrating it is to try to think when all you can think about is working room or wrong tools. It is even hard to make yourself do something you want to do when you know what you are going to have to deal with the second you start.

You have all the help you could ask for right here at CNCzone, these guys know first hand what you are going through and want to help.

Why not see if you can locate a work place, maybe one of your friend’s basement or Garage.

While you cannot ignore the big picture of what you want try and look at it one task at a time, if you can make yourself do that it will not seem so overwhelming. I don't care if it is drilling one hole put that on paper and check it off when you are done.

But don't whimp out and give up, you can do it, and think how neat it will be when you get done.

And the money issue, this is another thing, there are those that just cannot afford it and then there are those that just won't let go of it

The best to you.
Ken

[turmite]

Dude....uh that's American for not a Yank , don't you even think about giving up. I can vouch for the dual vee system as I have been using it for 12 yrs without a single problem. I have a rack and pinion drive and I have to clean the teeth of the rack ever so often, but other than that it is basically trouble free. You don't have to lube it and you don't have to cover it. Can you tell I am a satisfied customer. Now I do need to explain that my system is Bishop/Wisecarver but it is the same system.

I did notice in your post though that you mentioned building the machine under the house on unleveled ground. I know about the money thing if that is the problem but I would like to encourage you to follow Ken's advise if possible but if is not possible let me make you a suggestion. I don't know what you would call the brand name across the big pond but here it is called Sak-krete. All you add is water, mix it and pour it into a form. Build you some 12-16" pads that you can level and build your machine on that.

Just to encourage you, I have a cnc that makes most of my income and it was down for 4 1/2 months. Guess what I didn't have for nearly that long?? I'll be expecting that Coober Pedy any day now!

Mike

[limbo]

Ynneb,

Don't give up! please? That frame you made looks awesome. I enjoy your posts and your out of the box thinking. There is no single way of doing things, so it will be hard to make completely wrong choices that end up purely as a waste of money. I've seen the V-bearings on several large machines and its definitely the way I would try to do it when the time is there.... Did you get a price quote from hepco? Reidtool asks around $60 for a single grooved cam. Spoiled my good mood BTW, have you checked out the photos posted by budcan? One of the best looking machines on the site IMO.

Greetings,
John

[owhite]

If you are looking for completely non-technical, moral support, read on.

I have a friend that used to say: "never take s&%t from an inanimate object." Long-term, complicated engineering projects can be extremely gratifying. It’s a process of learning something really deeply, much more than you originally expected, in order to really get it to work.

Will, bare hands, and ingenuity will get you through everytime.

Owen

[lsfoils]

There is some great advice already listed here. Take it to heart. You are having the same experience that almost all DIY's have when doing complex and expensive jobs. I'll tell you what I do: I take care of the menial stuff when I struggle against the complex. Ken says to go out and drill a hole. Thats what I do. It lets the mind rest and the diversion always allows the solutions to bubble to the top.

You mentioned that you aren't sure which way to jump on materials and components. Probably 90% started making plans for our second router for this very reason. If you don't like the way the rails work on your machine, you should be able to sell them and upgrade. The trick is not making a buildt-in road block to an upgrade. All of us would like to do this just once, but with so many variables and limited knowledge, our plans have to remain in flux until we see if the machine is "good enough".

Forums for winners? Nah, if every DIY asked for help here, when they needed it, more of them would finish thier machines! You'll do ok. And when your'e done, post some pics for the next guy/gal so they can be inspired! Good luck to ya!

[Gunner]

Ynneb,
Keep plugging on. There is nothing wrong with asking for help along they way. That's what it's all about. How interesting would this world be if everyone knew everything. We wouldn't need TV or the internet. All those infomercial's would be off the air! Projects of this magnitude are complex and, as you have experienced, there are sometimes stumbling blocks where information gathering and decision making are necessity. They happen on even the best planned project. My suggestion to you is ask questions, gather and evaluate your information, and make a decision based on your evaluation. Based on what you have written above it seems you are getting the information but are having difficulty making the decision. Sometimes you have to be like NIKE and "JUST DO IT". This allows you to get to the next step. Eventually the project will be complete "one step at a time". No matter what you decide someone will always have a better way or idea. You could spend a lifetime evaluating them, isn't that learning and life? You can always incorporate idea's into the next project which will go much smoother ... Oh sure! Good Luck, by the way, Getting over all these stumbling blocks and completing the project is what makes all this so gratifying.

Gunner

[HuFlungDung]

And, at the end of it all, when your cnc is working and you are demoing to someone, and tell them that you made it all, they will point at the router and say, "You made that? Wow". Then the test of true character can shine through as you decide whether to accept all the glory or let Porter and Cable have their due

[foamcutter]

Don't Quit, You CAN do this. Besides think of all the cool stories to tell your buddies and us here about how you built this very cool machine with little more than rocks and sticks for tools! The journey is as important, if not more so, as the destination. Ron

[AJ_Mac2001]

If you need a little pick me up... try setting up your servos on a test bench. (I think I read you had your drivers/servos already). Once you get those puppies whirling away you'll be reinvigorated to get the mechanicals done. Whirring servos are truly a cool sound!! BTW - the electrical turned out to be the quickest part of my homebuild and the most gratifying - even though I am still on the roller coaster of getting the bugs out and making chips.

Good Luck
AJ

[pack rat]

You cannot walk away now. Look at the responses you got, everybody has been there at some point and we identify with it. Like Ken-Shea said make space where you'll create the machine. Pace yourself, I always think in minutes and it takes me hour so I get frustrated. Limit your mistakes by learning from other peoples mistakes. Once I tried to put my finger as closely as I could to a revolving fan, well the blood was all over the ceiling and walls. Lesson is "At times I am a dumbass". By the way Dean of Axxus made a router from same bearings you are considering.