JGRO build, mostly steel

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so, after about six months here is my JGRO CNC finally up and running. I plan to use it to cut out plastic parts for models. I am still working out the software end but I will soon try to post some videos.

The framework is mostly steel, built from three old bed frames. I was able to get one from my parents basement, one from my mother-in-law's basement, and one I found on the side of the road. I was also able to get the plywood from my grandfather, so the overall frame material cost was $0.00.

I probably spent about $100 to $125 on hardware; nuts & bolts, couplers, delrin for the anti-backlash nuts, acme rods, etc.

I used my ryobi router- I simply removed the handles and outer housing which reduced the weight by almost half.

I got a 4 axis controller package from Xylotex. Jeff has been great over email & the package is top notch. I was considering building a board, but I have a knack for ruining things, & I didn't want to chance it on an expensive board kit. But the package runs perfect- smooth and easy to install.

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this is an early shot of the steel framework. It is all welded together. I enjoy working with steel, but it was very difficult to get everything square. I had to rebuild the gantry 4 times.

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this is a shot right before I disassembled everything for painting and final assembly.

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I built a torsion box to lay on top of my table, as the tabletop was bowed. This helped to square everything down the road.

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The anti-backlash nuts are delrin per JGRO's blueprints. The tap for the 1/2" 10 screws are very expensive, but I found in another thread somebody made one from a piece of thread. I used my grinder and the drill press to make this one. It isn't pretty, but it did the job.

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I am using solidcam and Mach 3 to run the CNC. I tried cutting my first part last night and it was a disaster. When I figure out how to run it, Ill post some videos from youtube.