[InventIt]

You should give Sheetcam a look. Very simple to use, inexpensive and good for 2.5d work.

[diyengineer]

Ill give sheet cam a peek!

thanks for the suggestions!!!!

[diyengineer]

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPNv76xpgPw"]YouTube - ‪Cnc Rebuild Video #82‬‏[/nomedia]

Now i need to order a collets and endmills so i can test cut some stuff.

[diyengineer]

Found out a 4'x8' sheet of HDPE .750" thick runs about $250 dollars.

For that reason i will not be starting with the big boy right away. I will buy smaller pieces and get a few solid hours of test cutting in with different materials. I believe its time to throw some chips finally.

We tracked the charge pump problem back to a chip. New board should arrive soon, and i can put that issue to rest.

Just a waiting game now. I will order up my collets and a few endmills!

[diyengineer]

Just ordered up:

TECHNIKS ER20 PRECISION COLLET 1/16" T.I.R. .0002"

TECHNIKS ER20 PRECISION COLLET 1/8" T.I.R. .0002"

TECHNIKS ER20 PRECISION COLLET 1/4" T.I.R. .0002"

TECHNIKS ER20 PRECISION COLLET 3/8" T.I.R. .0002"

TECHNIKS ER20 PRECISION COLLET 1/2" T.I.R. .0002"

I would like to start off cutting some type of machinable foam or wax, then plastics, then move onto wood, the metal.

In general for now should a 2 flute end mill accomplish all my needs to get generally acquainted with the machining process in softer materials. They are not cheap, but would like to get one that can handle a lot of materials just to get a feel for the machine.

I was searching enco and figured i would ask about a nice general endmill that should get me going. Thanks guys!

Chips are coming sooon!!

[cornbinder23]

I dont know what rpm's you are running, but I run a 2 flute .375 bit in HDPE at around 75 ipm at 6000 rpm, if you are running at a much higher rpm I would probably go with an 0-flute, feed rate is important to remove heat with the chips, .25 d.o.c. btw, just remember that along with cutting certain plastics comes alot of static (the chips will cling to everything) but the cleanup is easy

Looking forward to seeing this thing come to life!!

JTCUSTOMS