DIY CNC Router Article in April Woodsmith issue

Discussion in 'Digital Design and Fabrication' started by dietzer, Mar 26, 2019.

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  1. dietzer

    dietzer Admiral (Supporter)

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    All,

    There is a 2-part article on building your own CNC router beginning in the April, 2019 issue of Woodsmith (vol 41, issue 242), which should be on newstands soon. I've got a digital subscription to Woodsmith so I can see part1 now.

    This benchtop CNC router features a 24" x 48" workarea, and the overall footprint of the router is 62-1/2" L x 41-1/4" W x 32-7/8" H. The article says it costs about $1300 (minus software). A package containing the motors and electronics is available to make sourcing components easier. It uses a 1/2" x 10 tpi x 58" long Acme threaded rod as the leadscrew with an anti-backlash nut. Part1 has the bed and X/Y axis, but doesn't give the overall specs, just the working X x Y area. Part2 of the article focuses on the Z-axis.

    The Online Extras for this project currently includes a Material and Hardware list as well as a video. The sources section has nothing yet -- I guess that comes with Part2. The online extras for issue 242 can be found here: http://www.woodsmith.com/magazine/extras/
     
    dietzer, Mar 26, 2019
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  2. dietzer

    dietzer Admiral (Supporter)

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    OK, I just watched the video. It is very basic, and aimed at someone that knows nothing about CNC. It does not give any specs of the machine itself.
     
    dietzer, Mar 26, 2019
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  3. NickMyers

    NickMyers Admin RCWC Staff

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    if youre just starting out and looking to play, you could build an MPCNC for less, its a light duty capable machine
    https://www.v1engineering.com/
     
    NickMyers, Mar 26, 2019
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  4. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    The LowRider version of the MPCNC looks interesting. It's similar to what I'm building (Z beam moves up and down) but using printed parts and skate bearings (and wheels) instead of the V bearings I'm using. One issue I see with the MPCNC is that it won't be a very rigid design due to the long lengths of unsupported tubing. Should be perfectly fine for light duty cutting in 1/4" ply though.

    upload_2019-3-27_10-9-33.png

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    SteveT44, Mar 27, 2019
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  5. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    Will be cutting wood soon. Just need to mount the control PC to the wall and do some calibration.

    upload_2019-6-5_7-44-33.png

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    SteveT44, Jun 5, 2019
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  6. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    SteveT44, Jun 9, 2019
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  7. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    First cut.

    upload_2019-6-19_9-38-38.png

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    SteveT44, Jun 19, 2019
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  8. dietzer

    dietzer Admiral (Supporter)

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    Looks great!

    Construction details, please!
     
    dietzer, Jun 19, 2019
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  9. Bruce Macdonald

    Bruce Macdonald New Member

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    Bruce Macdonald, Jul 3, 2019
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  10. NickMyers

    NickMyers Admin RCWC Staff

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    NickMyers, Jul 3, 2019
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  11. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    Here you go.

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    SteveT44, Jul 3, 2019
    #11
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  12. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    So far my $700 chain drive router is cutting within .003" on average.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    SteveT44, Jul 3, 2019
    #12
  13. SteveT44

    SteveT44 Well-Known Member

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    SteveT44, Jul 3, 2019
    #13