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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    105

    First very first.

    I managed to built my machine out of discard parts. It is near completion.
    I'm planning on using the 5/16 thread rod to move the axis...I'm wondering if anyone have used the regular threaded rods from HomeDepot to move the axis??

    ...any suggestions ? ...it is my very first cnc.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails SANY0022.JPG   SANY0023.JPG   SANY0024.JPG  
    Live life like you never see another day

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    668
    Lot's of people have used allthread. It's not ideal, but it will move an axis.
    Steve
    DO SOMETHING, EVEN IF IT'S WRONG!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    105
    Okay, thanks.... that'll give me enough confidence to use it. ... lol
    Live life like you never see another day

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    1810
    Try 'polishing' the threaded rod with Scotch Brite or Craytex to smooth it out and remove the sharp edges and it will run much smoother. I haven't used threaded rod to move an axis before but as mentioned, plenty of others have. I have used it to make small fixtures and automated clamps and such and running Scotch brite over the threads smooths out the overall feel.

    Just a suggestion.

    Scott
    Consistency is a good thing....unless you're consistently an idiot.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    2415
    As Scott mentioned, try cleaning up the threaded rod a little first, I used a die nut up and down a few times on my friends lathe, worked a treat.

    Russell.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    8
    Another suggestion is to use 1/2"-10tpi Acme threaded rod. It's cheap and can be found at WT, Enco and many other places. If you don't want to invest in an acme tap then buy the acme nuts for the acme thread. I used this on the first 2 I made and it worked great. Also 10 turns = 1 inch when your setting up your software, real simple.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Posts
    727
    Quote Originally Posted by venomx999
    I managed to built my machine out of discard parts.
    Looking good so far. Dot matrix printers for miles around must fear you.

    All thread from the BORG, Lowe's, hardware store, etc. will work. Make sure that you 'clean up' the threads as mentioned in the above posts so that you get less wear on your A-B nuts. I used 1/4"-20 all thread in my machine for around a year before I converted it to 1/2"-10 ACME threaded rod. Definitely a big difference in the movement in terms of smoothness and quietness. I can just imagine what it would be like to step up to the next level and use ballscrews. We can dream, can't we?

    Keep us posted on your progress,
    HayTay

    Don't be the one that stands in the way of your success!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    105
    Then I will definitely go with the original plan. Thanks for the tip about the metal nut. I tried using it and it sure makes alot of noise along with abrasion.
    I made a plastic nuts by cut off a part of a chair's arm drilled and threaded it.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails SANY0025.JPG  
    Live life like you never see another day

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    105
    Anyone knows why returning to "tool change" on the Z axis is too fast and cause the motor to skip ??
    Live life like you never see another day

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    1810
    Down-tune your motors. Slow the acceleration and maybe your max speed down until it will no longer miss steps and then set just under those values to be safe.

    If you have the motors tuned too hot you will miss steps - this usually happens at the worst possible moment, too.

    Scott
    Consistency is a good thing....unless you're consistently an idiot.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    157
    nice looking machine. Good luck with it.
    www.bigbearcnc.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    22
    Your first cnc looked cool!

    I wonder what's kind of stepper motor did you used.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    105
    Fairly small sized stepper motors, rated at 4volts 0.8amps. I picked them up on Ebay, 7 for $30. I think they came from some kind of lab machines.
    Live life like you never see another day

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