This is my first attempt at a cnc router table. Please feel free to jump in and tell me if im on the wrong track or have any insight.
I'll be building the table in my garage which doesn't have much space due to a truck that ive been building for the last few years. I have a pretty good selection of tool and machines; mig welder, drill press and a borrowed bench top milling machine
I've been collecting the parts that I plan on using for from metal suppliers cut off bins, from work and the biggest score came from my friend. He gave me 20' of 3''x3'' extruded aluminum. Getting the aluminum is what got me off the couch and motivated to get to work. I decided that the 20' of aluminum, my budget and limited space id make the table 42''x42'' in total and a cutting surface just under 36''
IMG_1097.jpg
I'm shooting for a machine that will machine aluminum and wood. This will be just for hobby type projects, nothing crazy
Im kinda one of those guys that learns better by pictures, after checking out other peoples build and looking at my material supply I came up with this design.
I machined up these blocks and used the bearing out of mine and my daughter skateboards (she forgot that she even had one) I made it so they'll ride along 4''x 1/4'' steel. Its been over ten years since ive used a milling machine and any type of precision measuring instrument. I spent hours splitting hairs and counting on my fingers to get these babies finished
IMG_1123.jpgPlease excuse they order of the pictures, im having a hard time uploading them between my horribly choppy sentences and paragraphs.
IMG_1118.jpg
I used a horizontal bandsaw at work the cut up the 3x3 extruded aluminum, I didn't want to attempt using a cutoff wheel in a grinder to cut the pieces.
Here's where im at now,
the gantry worked out wonderful, it rolls very nice with little resistance and no binding issues. The up rights on the gantry are 16''x6''x 3/8''. I would have preferred 1/2''-5/8'' but its all I had at the time. I've been using 1/4-20 bolts, most are 1'' or longer with tapped holes. I feel the machine is very ridged so far but plan on added gusset between the the sides and top part of the gantry.
IMG_1168.jpg
my next step is to figure out if I should use one lead screw or two to move the gantry. Im still trying to figure out how the stepper motors are rated and what I should be looking for in them. My first thought was to buy a 3 axis package off ebay, I was looking at the 1080? oz motors, thinking bigger better right. I have never seen these motors in person but im starting to get the feeling these 1080's are massive and heavy. I think that they'd add way too much weight to the gantry assembly. Now im thinking about going with the 270 oz but buy a 4 axis package and run two screws to move the gantry. Ill be the first to admit that im lost when it comes to electronics and ballscrews/ lead screws. I can find a straight answer on what motor and lead screw combo to run. Im on a tight budget and im not looking to build a machine to make parts for nasa . I see a ton of cnc parts on eaby, are they any good or are they just cheap junk? if anyone could provide some insight on it would be great. Ive seen complete kits for $400 plus shipping, waste of money?
I'll be building the table in my garage which doesn't have much space due to a truck that ive been building for the last few years. I have a pretty good selection of tool and machines; mig welder, drill press and a borrowed bench top milling machine
I've been collecting the parts that I plan on using for from metal suppliers cut off bins, from work and the biggest score came from my friend. He gave me 20' of 3''x3'' extruded aluminum. Getting the aluminum is what got me off the couch and motivated to get to work. I decided that the 20' of aluminum, my budget and limited space id make the table 42''x42'' in total and a cutting surface just under 36''
IMG_1097.jpg
I'm shooting for a machine that will machine aluminum and wood. This will be just for hobby type projects, nothing crazy
Im kinda one of those guys that learns better by pictures, after checking out other peoples build and looking at my material supply I came up with this design.
I machined up these blocks and used the bearing out of mine and my daughter skateboards (she forgot that she even had one) I made it so they'll ride along 4''x 1/4'' steel. Its been over ten years since ive used a milling machine and any type of precision measuring instrument. I spent hours splitting hairs and counting on my fingers to get these babies finished
IMG_1123.jpgPlease excuse they order of the pictures, im having a hard time uploading them between my horribly choppy sentences and paragraphs.
IMG_1118.jpg
I used a horizontal bandsaw at work the cut up the 3x3 extruded aluminum, I didn't want to attempt using a cutoff wheel in a grinder to cut the pieces.
Here's where im at now,
the gantry worked out wonderful, it rolls very nice with little resistance and no binding issues. The up rights on the gantry are 16''x6''x 3/8''. I would have preferred 1/2''-5/8'' but its all I had at the time. I've been using 1/4-20 bolts, most are 1'' or longer with tapped holes. I feel the machine is very ridged so far but plan on added gusset between the the sides and top part of the gantry.
IMG_1168.jpg
my next step is to figure out if I should use one lead screw or two to move the gantry. Im still trying to figure out how the stepper motors are rated and what I should be looking for in them. My first thought was to buy a 3 axis package off ebay, I was looking at the 1080? oz motors, thinking bigger better right. I have never seen these motors in person but im starting to get the feeling these 1080's are massive and heavy. I think that they'd add way too much weight to the gantry assembly. Now im thinking about going with the 270 oz but buy a 4 axis package and run two screws to move the gantry. Ill be the first to admit that im lost when it comes to electronics and ballscrews/ lead screws. I can find a straight answer on what motor and lead screw combo to run. Im on a tight budget and im not looking to build a machine to make parts for nasa . I see a ton of cnc parts on eaby, are they any good or are they just cheap junk? if anyone could provide some insight on it would be great. Ive seen complete kits for $400 plus shipping, waste of money?