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I finished my first test engraving project using 1/16" thick "engraving plastic", actually I think it's Rowmark value line series. I've been keeping an eye on E-bay for "engraving plastic" and been...

I second McMaster Carr, and I think they are cheaper compared to most places I've seen. They have varying lengths and styles. I've bought a few of the nylon bristle ones in 2" and 3" and have been...

Thanks!

Yep, I milled the slots. The only way to do it! ;-) I was definitely a little nervous about doing it since it is a permanent change to the table top. I know it's only a couple sheets...

My latest improvement to my router, I installed t-track into the router table to make it easy to hold down workpieces. It turned out really nice! Attached are some pictures.

To do this, I did...

I know I've seen many experienced CNCZoners around here recommend MeshCam (http://www.grzsoftware.com/) and it is less than $200. But I do not have any personal experience with that software.

Well I was inspired by the Kent CNC dust shoe design for this.

As far as the tabs go, I put those on myself. They are actually 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/4" blocks which I added to the model of my dust shoe...

Well I worked on the next revision of a dust shoe which is a split shoe design that allows me to remove the skirt to see the bit (when setting the Z axis depth). It will also allow me to create...

Also noticed you mentioned about getting 3D models of the extrusion for Sketchup. You can download free models of the 80/20 extrusion, brackets, etc. at http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/. I think...

I've used http://www.automation4less.com/ quite a bit in the past and they have competitive pricing for extrusion/fasteners/brackets.

I stumbled on this cool web-site that allows people to share their 3D models and designs. Some of them probably couldn't be milled using a 3 axis machine (but would require 4 or 5 axes) but I've...

Carvone, I know how it goes. There are always things that we want to do to make it better but its all about priorities. Also, why take time making minor improvements when that will cut into other...

I completed my monitor/keyboard/mouse drawer and mounted it under my router. It's so nice to be able to pull it out, do what I need to do, and push it back under. Beats using the computer from the...

My next project in regards to the router is designing an LCD monitor, keyboard, and mouse drawer. I won a 15" LCD monitor on E-bay for $17 to replace my old CRT monitor I'm using and I've been...

One trick I learned about using CNCZone.com forums is that you can click on the paper clip icon next to each thread to see all attachments for that thread. Makes it easy to find DXF files, photos,...

I got my enclosure completed minus a couple fans. I'm waiting for a three 60mm cooling fans to arrive from Newark.com that run off of 5v DC. The ones I got require 12v DC and the Keling 48V 12.5A...

Here is what I ordered from McMaster-Carr:

2" Strip Brush with 1/8" x 1/8" backing, part number 74405T304 (Same as 74405T3)

PVC Strip Brush Holder for 1/8" x 1/8" backing, part number 8813T636...

I worked some more on my enclosure. Temporarily disconnected my temporary wiring so my machine won't be cutting until I get my enclosure done and all the wiring back up.

Everything is a tight...

I had the same dilemma when I purchased mine last year but I finally decided on plain steel finish 1/2"-10 5 start 6' rods from McMaster-Carr. They are still nice and shiny, no signs of rust, and...

You definitely adjusted it in the correct place, the "Steps per". The "Steps per" is the amount of steps required by the motor for your nut to travel 1 inch (or 1 mm).

I have 1/2"-10 5 start...

Well I made some progress with a couple outstanding things I wanted to get done.

I created a dust shoe using 1/2" MDF and some strip brush from McMaster Carr and an adapter for my shop vac. I am...

FYI, you can get a coupon for the HF 2HP dust collector for $139, valid through 3/23/11 from the latest Wood magazine. Here is a link to it, I think it is OK to print out. It is a very popular...

Well here is a video of my machine cutting at slow speeds the 3d model puzzle of the spider:

YouTube - My CNC router in action....

After doing some more cuts tonight, I definitely need...

Your machine is looking great!

As far as the cable carrier supports, you may want to look at what I did, not sure how sexy it is though. ;)

...

Thanks FandZ! A big thanks to you and everyone else for all their input. I know you were there since the beginning of my build and I know my machine will serve me well, especially because of your...

Much much progress since my last update. Here is what I've did:


Wired up Y axis and Z axis
Installed a top on the machine of 1/2" MDF as well as on the bottom shelf
Worked on learning the...

Well I am making good progress, got the X-axis wire up including dual homing switches. I got the Y-axis wired up and running. I am working on wiring up the Z-axis.

I am definitely surprised by...

Well I got my goofy situation figured out. I did a few things:

1) Made sure e-stop was wired correctly according to Gecko G540 wiring diagram (assigned to pin 15 in Mach3)
2) Made sure slave A...

Well I got my gantry running along the X-axis under stepper power last night! It is fun making it jog back and forth under Mach3. Took a little time to tune the motors. Now I just need to get the...

Well after I stopped at a couple stores on the way to work, Office Depot and Target, I realized that I probably wasn't going to find the old style parallel cables. Like you said, the ones I saw all...

I have spent a little time familiarizing myself the the NX Manufacturing software as well as a little with the Mach 3 software. I have experience using the NX software for modeling, assemblies, and...