My First CNC Machine (Drawer Slide Design

[EidenC]

Hey Everyone,
First off I want to thank everyone and the creater of this web site as it is a great tool for people like me that wish that could build a CNC machine not knowing it is actually possible as a hobby. I have been looking at various posted designs for about a month or 2 and just decieded to give it a whirl. I have a drawing started on SolidWorks which I will be also posting sooner or later....
But anyway, here is day one of my cnc build. I decieded to go with the drawer slide design as my first go around because I figured it would be alot easier with aligning everything and also something that would be small and cost effective but large enough to make some of the parts that I hope to make for a larger one I hope to make later as (funds are a little low right now).
The working area of the machine so far are 28"x24". I do not know yet how much the z clearance will be yet...kinda winging it as I go. I suppose it will be as large as precission will alow it to be.
Well anyway here are a few started pictures, please drop some comments and suggestions as they are much appreciated.
Thanks again everyone for all the Learning Material,
Chris

[joecnc2006]

Looks very good so far I like the double slides for stability.

Looking forward to the drawings

Joe

Originally Posted by EidenC Hey Everyone, First off I want to thank everyone and the creater of this web site as it is a great tool for people like me that wish that could build a CNC machine not knowing it is actually possible as a hobby. I have been looking at various posted designs for about a month or 2 and just decieded to give it a whirl. I have a drawing started on SolidWorks which I will be also posting sooner or later.... But anyway, here is day one of my cnc build. I decieded to go with the drawer slide design as my first go around because I figured it would be alot easier with aligning everything and also something that would be small and cost effective but large enough to make some of the parts that I hope to make for a larger one I hope to make later as (funds are a little low right now). The working area of the machine so far are 28"x24". I do not know yet how much the z clearance will be yet...kinda winging it as I go. I suppose it will be as large as precission will alow it to be. Well anyway here are a few started pictures, please drop some comments and suggestions as they are much appreciated. Thanks again everyone for all the Learning Material, Chris

[lurch]

You're off to a good start. Keep up the progress, post often. Many times the machine is planned, and never gets to fruition. Make your first, get your feet wet, then use it to produce more intricate parts for your second design. You'll have the advantage of knowing better what you will use it for, allowing you to make a design that fits exactly what you need.
Good luck!

[EidenC]

Got the base finnished and starting to get some measurments together for the y and z axis. Also took some measurements and what not to check the precision on the table and seems to be really really close but will be able to get some closer measurements after the gantry is togather. Didn't get much time on it, had to do some snowmobile repairs for the up coming trip to whyoming...seem to work on it more than ride it... should put the money into a larger cnc machine, but i guess start small. Sorry no pics hopefully tomorrow.

[Jason Marsha]

Congrats on your start. Keep the posts and pics coming as motivation to finish. Once you get the machine finished the electronics and software will fall into place.

Jason

[WarrenW]

Thats a pretty good design for a moving table design. I doubt you'll get any flexing in that as long as the wood sides are strong enough. And if you do, just reinforce them some.

Warren