Another noob looking for help

[cuetipper]

If this is in the wrong forum please let me know where I should post it to.

I have this woodworking lathe that I use to repair and make pool cues:
http://www.porper.com/index.cfm?CFID...&productID=100

The existing power feed motor is dead and the screw and half nut system have never worked well.

I would like to convert the unit into a CNC router.
I need to have the unit move in and out relative to the work piece as well as left to right. Depending on cost up and down would also be useful.

My problem is that I know nothing about how to do this.
I know nowhere to get components.
And I have a limited budget.

Left to right access travel will be at least 32"
In and out as well as up down travel needs only be 2" from the center line.

90% of all material to be cut is wood or plastic. On average less than 1 inch of the cue is metal. That would be either a brass or Stainless Steel joint that is 1 inch long.

Can anyone here show me what components I would need?

All suggestions/recommendations/help is appreciated

Thanks
-eds

[jalessi]

The list price on your machine is $4,200 , thats a decent budget.

[cuetipper]

I already own that unit. it was acquired to satisfy a debt.
I need help in converting it.
And my current budget is limited.

[jalessi]

Ed,

How much is your budget?

Cheap and cue stick CNC does not work.

Good cue inlays have tight tolerances and use very small radius cutters.

The average cutter size is .015" that requires a very good quality spindle.

Almost no cue makers machine joint screws, they buy them from Atlas.

http://www.cuestik.com/

You can buy linear rails, stepper motors, 8020 aluminum and even a spindle on eBay

Spindle Motor

http://tinyurl.com/7v98e3


Linear Rail

http://www.automation-overstock.com/...ies.asp?cat=56

Stepper Motors

http://www.kelinginc.net/NEMA23Motor.html

8020 Aluminum

http://www.8020.net/

A Gecko G540 stepper drive from Gecko

http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469

Mach3 Control software

http://www.machsupport.com/

Inlay Software.

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../c3d_index.htm

If you dont have at least a $3,000.00 dollar budget, your going to be hard pressed.

Hope this helps,

Jeff...

[cuetipper]

Jeff,
Thanks for the reply. I am sure that in time i will value the information you shared. Sadly right now that is over my head. My knowledge is so limited I assume i will need a rail, but what makes the carriage travel along it?

What I really need to start with would be a list of parts and what they do relative to each other....cnc 101!