Anyone ever built a DIY CNC table? (1 Viewer)

[Jetboy]

I'm in the middle of a boat building process. While not necessary it could save me a lot of time to have a CNC router to cut out bulkheads and various other parts - especially things like foil shapes for rudders and things of that nature. Plus a CNC router would be fun to have for cutting other stuff like aluminum parts or possibly throw a torch on it and cut steel too.

I can sort out the electronics easy enough, and probably just use stepper motors with acme thread to drive it. At the moment I'm thinking about something like 80/20 rails to build it out of and then find some sort of carriages that will run on 80/20 rails. That way it could be both scalable if I want to do larger pieces, and disassemble able to store.

Thoughts? Anyone ever built one? Tips? Ideas?

 

[45Kevin]

It would be a lot cheaper to take your material and a CAD file to someone that already has a CNC router.

But as a project, it has it all. Mechanical, electrical, PC programming.

 

[Jetboy]

I think it should be doable to build a complete CNC router table of something like 4' x 4' for around $1000. It could be really cheap if I build it out of steel, but then it's heavier and more of a PITA to move. I don't think I can get much cutting done for $1,000. Plus it would just be a fun toy. And if it's done well it should be worth at least the materials cost at the end if I sell it.

I haven't decided for sure if I want to build one though and you may be right. I'm just kicking around the idea right now.

 

[jts560]

My stepdad built his own. He purchased the kit which included the stepper motors from here: http://buildyourcnc.com/

He is using V-Carve for design and Mach 3 to run the CNC.

You have to source some things like the threaded rods yourself. It wasn't that difficult, you will spend alot of time getting everything adjusted properly and playing nice together.

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[Jetboy]

That looks awesome! And it has a nice large table. I wish I had room for a full size table to work with 4'x8' sheets. I'll probably get 4'x4' at the most unless I can make it collapsible - I just don't have space for it.

I was thinking of building 99% of it with 8020 rails.

Kinda like this one:

That way I could be 4'x8' table that can fold up against he wall and not be too heavy. Especially if I can make it so the gantry can either fold down or come off easily.

 

[haryv]

jetboy, here is your answer

cnczone.com


BTW, if I ever get to a place where I can add a plasma torch, I would make a cnc table to run it. I can then make anything ..even something that was artistic and give it to some one as a Christmas gift.

 

[debushau]

I second cnczone.com, it's a great source to cnc retrofit information, home builds, new purchases, etc.

 

[1FZj80]

I can sort out the electronics easy enough, and probably just use stepper motors with acme thread to drive it.
Thoughts? Anyone ever built one? Tips? Ideas?

Acme threads have a lot of backlash. I would recommend ballscrews.

 

[warezdog]

Blacktoe simple and cheap to build

 

[Cohbra11]

cnczone.com

Thanks for the link. Looks like I'll be wasting a few hours over there.