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I'm enjoying this build thread, looking forward to seeing the next update! I used HIWIN brand rails on my machine and they publish the specs in their catalog. See attached image. This should give...

Thank you Steve! This is excellent feedback. It really helps to hear the opinions of others to help me make good decisions.

I will clean up my Fusion file and make it available for sale on my...

Thanks. I had recorded some video of using the cnc router and laser to make a chest of drawers for my daughter's nursery. Unfortunately, my phone died before I downloaded all the videos so I lost...

Thanks for the feedback and showing your interest in the detailed design book! I put that project on the back burner so I could make the set of plans. I've also been monitoring interest in the...

I couldn't find anyone else offering similar models for sale. I did see some CNC machine models being sold just for the CG renderings (not complete design files) for between $50 and $400. I also...

I have been considering offering the Fusion file as an option, but I'm not really sure how to price it yet. I would appreciate input from anyone reading this. I'll do some research as well and...

Plans update:

After working for a long time on updating my machine design and making improvements for strength and ease of building, I have finally completed making a set of plans so that others...

Rewired machine and added cable carriers

When machining smaller pieces, there was no need for cable management; the wires all stayed out of the way without tending to them. Lately I’ve been...

Thanks, I'll order a single flute end mill for my next aluminum attempt. I would like to also add an RPM controller when I get some time, or I may just end up buying a spindle/vfd at some point.

First cuts in Aluminum

I’ve been wanting to see how this machine performs when cutting aluminum. Using a piece of scrap 3/8” x 2.5” 6061 bar stock, I tried a facing operation and then some...

I used Autodesk Fusion 360 with the standard post-processor for LinuxCNC. If I remember correctly, I tried to use the built in Laser toolpaths, but they didn't have support for the LinuxCNC post...

I ordered from DTR's Laser Shop. https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/

If you prefer, they also have an Amazon store and an eBay store. My first order came with the wrong laser module, but the...

Emergency stop switch

I haven’t had a need yet for an e-Stop switch, but I figured I should go ahead and install it before the need arises! I’m still amazed at how quickly I can model a part,...

Although I have been quiet on this forum lately, I have been busy on my project. Since my last post, I have done the following:



Added an emergency stop switch to my machine
Added a laser to...

I finally got around to running the same test cuts that you did, so we could compare results. I included a video, so you can comment if you think the 100 ipm looks like the same as what your machine...

After a business trip and some weeks of long hours at work, I finally got around to running this test that Biggs427 ran on his similarly designed wood framed router.

Just to recap, a 2 flute,...

The resistor values need to be matched to the current draw of the motors you are using which is probably the reason they aren't built into most cables. I soldered my resistors into the backshell of...

I would like to try the same test with my machine. For the cutting path, I just want to confirm that you used a plunge entry to go down to full depth and then made one pass to complete the square? ...

Goemon, these are the steppers I used:
http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema-23-quarter-inch-dual-shaft-with-a-flat-381-oz-in/

They are almost identical to the ones...

The electronics didn't play into it at all. I wanted to use the open source "LinuxCNC" machine control software that only runs on a Linux OS, so that drove my decision for the OS. Another common...

I like it! I would definitely like to run what you come up with and compare results. We'll have to incorporate speeds as well, and a way to characterize cut quality, or measure results for accuracy...

Thanks MC! The performance seems great so far, but I don't have much to compare it to. I intend to do some testing to measure cutter deflection with calibrated loads applied to the router in each...

I went with a Gecko G540 4 axis driver and 4 NEMA23 steppers of the lowest impedance I could find with enough torque to achieve performance goals, within the current limitations of the G540. Based...

Hi Goemon. Reading this thread, it reminds me of myself a year and a half ago. I went through a lot of the same thoughts and had similar goals and budget, with a slightly larger working area. ...

Good point Jerry. I haven't done any high accuracy work yet, but I haven't noticed any issues with the cuts I've done so far. Like you said, the whole machine is stiff so it doesn't matter how much...

Thanks junior2016.

I have a 1-3/4” surfacing bit that I wanted to use on the spoilboard to get it perfectly in plane with the router. With a ½” shank on that bit, I wanted to use my DeWalt DW618...

This is looking great! You're making good progress. Would you mind sharing which stepper motors you are using and where you sourced them? I had used 4 of the same motors to make it easier for a...

Happy Pi Day! My wife is a math teacher, so we worked on this project together. I used this project to try out engraving on the new machine. I first tried a 90 degree bit and the lettering was too...

Thanks, I had fun making that video!

It's been a while since I've posted my progress here. First, I came up with an idea for workholding. I attached 2 t-tracks to the bed, outside the working area. Then I made a sled with 90 degree...