So I've gotten far enough in the design stage that I'd like to start sharing my build. I've got the lathe itself and the basic CNC components. I've managed to install LinuxCNC and get the motors moving. Tomorrow I start hopefully bolting some components on.
I'll start with a rendering
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Far from finished with the design but far enough along to start on the Z axis. Plan right now is to keep it as cheap as possible. I'll start by 3D printing all the custom components and make them in aluminum,steel or cast iron when I'm happy with them.
Some bullet points:
-For the motors I'm starting with a chinese ebay special 3 axis nema 23 kit and BOB.
-16mm z & y axis screws and a 12mm x. Looks like I could fit a 16mm in the x axis as well so may change my mind.
-Re-designing the top slide to a T-slot bed and adding tapered gibs to the x and z axis.
-Using MGN rails on the Y axis for simplicity
-Have a worm gear reduction modeled in the back of the Y axis currently to do A axis rotation. They can be found for cheap from China.
-Not sure what I'll use for a spindle. Currently have a cheap chinese spindle in the model. Was trying to find maybe a cheap lathe live tool block. Or make my own?
-Plan on mounting a servo motor for the spindle and having a couple pulley options for it but think I've bitten off a good amount to work on for now.
That's a start, hope to update more soon as I make progress!
