Jay's Build

[excotec]

I have gotten my wood purchased and will soon start cutting it up according to the plans.

As a side note I made a little roller to help me support the longer sheets on my table saw. It can be found here Table saw outfeed roller if anyone is interested.

Are there any step by step instructions for the plans or do I just look at the pictures and go from there?

Thanks

[bobert38]

I never found any "step by step" instructions, but built mine by looking at the pictures of others builds. I built the base first, then the gantry, and finally the Z assembly. The biggest piece of advice is to take your time on the bearing slides and get them right on. The more accurately they are made the better the machine will run.

I skipped the all thread and went with acme rod from the start. Better to spend a little more now and not have to tear it apart in a few months to upgrade then. I also didn't bother trying to tap the mdf, just go with longer bolts and go through to the other side and use a washer and nut.

If you plan on going bigger in the future buy the electronics now to run that machine. I built mine over the winter and I have already started on a Joe 2006. I planed on going to a bigger machine to start with so I spent a few extra bucks to buy bigger motors and a larger power supply so I could reuse them on the next machine.

[excotec]

Thanks for the tips. I was actually starting to think this forum was dead as it does not see many post in this sections. My plan for the electronics is to go with the HobbyCNC EZ Driver Board Packages with 130oz steppers. I will be moving back to Germany in a year or so and if anything will have to size down so figure for small signs and model parts this should be plenty big.