Why not another 2006?

[Jmtwo]

About 6 weeks ago I finally got off my can and started my Joe2006. I had previously built the JGRO but wasn't quite satisfied with it's performance and the 2006 looked like it would fit the bill nicely.

With a recent move, I had completely dismantled my JGRO and basically had to start from scratch on the 2006. I decided that I would handcut everything. The advantage I had was being able to use a laser to mark all the parts out directly on the MDF.



From there, It was just a matter of being careful to make sure all the important parts were aligned correctly.

I also, have a MAXNC 10CL which I was able to use to cut out the smaller HDPE parts.



I opted to go with the Hobbycnc 3 axis kit with the 305 motors. I have no electronics experience what so ever, but the instructions that came with the kit made it a breeze. I had the board soldered up in about 45 minutes, and it worked the first time. The only deviation was to make my own case out of clear acrylic.



I'm pretty bad about taking progress photos, so I basically jump from marked parts, to an almost finished machine. Here it is pre-paint:





And milling a part:



To get the machine up and running, I used standard 1/2" 13 all thread from Home Depot and a Dremel advantage. I was actually pleased to get it running at about 50ipm with this configuration.

I have since upgraded to 1/2" 5-start acme with DumpsterCNC nuts and the performance is phenominal! It's routinely cutting at 120ipm and can handle rapids of 320ipm (though I usually leave them at 120ipm too)

I also replaced the Dremel with the usual Hitachi. I got a factory refurb off ebay for a great price. The Hitachi is so nice, and much quieter that the Dremel.

After almost killing my ShopVac, I have added a 1hp dust collecter with two stage filtration. It catches all of the really fine dust and about 95% of the rest.

All in all, I am so pleased with the 2006. A really big thanks to Joe for making this available and to everyone here at CNCzone. This place has such a wealth of info. Anytime I had a question, I could find the answer with a simple search.

I will be posting some more pics soon and if I can answer any questions, fire away.

[Sinkoumn]

The build looks great! I love that case, where did you buy the acrylic? And what did you use to bond the pieces together (IPS-Weld on)?

I'm on the fence about the hobby CNC kit, I don't mind soldering, but were the contact points very small or were they pretty large in diameter and somewhat easy to work with?
Did you pick a transformer, if so, which one did you go with?

How are the 305oz motors working out with the machine? I'm looking into it alittle more, but odds are I'm going to go with the exact same setup that you went with.

Mike

[Jmtwo]

Thanks.

I just get the acrylic from Home Depot and I use Weld-on 3 to glue it together. It's not as sturdy as the Pac-tec case, but I like being able to see inside without opening anything.

The soldering on the Hobbycnc board was pretty easy. I had never soldered before, so I got a Weller iron with a fine tip, watched a couple of Youtube videos and went to town. No problems at all.

For the transformer, I just ordered the one Hobbycnc recommends. I tried to get one at my local Grainger and they wanted like $160 for one with the same specs.

The 305oz motors are great. When I had the 1/2" all-thread I had to set the steps per so high (5200) in Mach3, that if I tried to go too fast they would bind. Now with the 5 start acme they have plenty of power and more speed than I would need.

[Sinkoumn]

Oops, I forgot to ask where you ended up buying your 1/2 5 start from (I saw Mcmaster has them, but wanted to check if you got it anywhere else for cheaper)? Did you only use it on the X-axis??

[Jmtwo]

I got my 5 start from Mcmaster. I ended up using it on all the axis.

[TCGliderguy]

>
I'm on the fence about the hobby CNC kit, I don't mind soldering, but were the contact points very small or were they pretty large in diameter and somewhat easy to work with?
Did you pick a transformer, if so, which one did you go with? <

If you don't want to build the Hobby CNC kit, check with Mike Beck (Rural Routers) at www.mikebeck.org

He builds up the HobbyCNC kits, with nice power supply, case, and locking cables, and the 305 steppers...

I built a HobbyCNC kit for my hotwire foam cutter, but got lazy and bought one of Mike's kits for my Joe's 2006 router. I could not be happier with the decision....

-Taylor

[Sinkoumn]

^Taylor, thanks much for the info - I had seen Mike's kits prior and would love to go with that setup, but at the end of the day I just can't justify the extra ~$180 when I know that I could do it myself (plus, staying on a tight budget helps make that decision as well ).

I'm going to use the money that I will save by setting up the board myself and buy some 1/2"-10 5 start acme rods for the machine.

Thanks much though!
Mike

[joecnc2006]

machine looks real good. glad to see it coming together and working soon.

Joe

[Sinkoumn]

Did you get that dust collector design off of this website? Any chance you have the link to it? I've tried to find it but can't (I could've swore that it's on here somewhere).

[Jmtwo]

Originally Posted by Sinkoumn Did you get that dust collector design off of this website? Any chance you have the link to it? I've tried to find it but can't (I could've swore that it's on here somewhere).

If you get the files from the Yahoo group, the dust collector is one of the dwg files included. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/joescnc/)

It's the first part I cut when I finished the machine.

[Sinkoumn]

Edit:
I posted in the wrong thread...

It's just one of those days

[joecnc2006]

I place the head of the bolt on the inside of the Aluminum, and the nut on the outside, this way I do not have to cut the bolt, and ensure of clearance.

joe