[r00t4rd3d]

My current build.

[r00t4rd3d]

More pics.

[r00t4rd3d]

Painted.

[Grunblau]

Looking good man! I dig the color scheme! Looks like you were careful to buy some excellent components. Once you have your cnc working, you will most likely start dreaming up another bigger cnc. Most of that hardware will be transferable. How did you seal the MDF before you painted it?

Keep going!

:cheers:

[r00t4rd3d]

How did you seal the MDF before you painted it?

I didnt seal it. Someone told me I should have applied wood hardener on it first but it was too late. Do you think I will have issues?

[Grunblau]

I didnt seal it. Someone told me I should have applied wood hardener on it first but it was too late. Do you think I will have issues?

The quality of the finish made me think you sealed it. I can't imagine there will be any issues from not sealing it before painting-just harder to get a good finish. When I sealed my MDF with Polyurethane, I was shocked at how rigid the MDF got.

[r00t4rd3d]

Two motors mounted and some lead screw connections.

[r00t4rd3d]

[r00t4rd3d]

Closer.....

[Garage Elf]

Looks good - what is the footprint of the unit and are you following someones plans or is this your own design?

[r00t4rd3d]

Looks good - what is the footprint of the unit and are you following someones plans or is this your own design?

My cutting area will be roughly 12x36. I am not following any plans just getting inspiration and ideas from Google Image searching. I really have no clue what I am doing

[r00t4rd3d]

Z Axis complete.

[r00t4rd3d]

I got my motor extensions soldered on today. Slow week

[kuroguy]

I'm designing and building a CNC table that is very similar in size to this one. Could you please tell me the torque values or model numbers of your steppers and the thread pitch you used on your lead screws (1 or 5 start)?

[r00t4rd3d]

On my machine I use these Stepper Motors, they are small but they work. I use 3/8-16 1 start threaded rod from the hardware store for lead screws. The new machine I am building will have 425oz motors and 1/2-10 5 start acme screws.

[lukewarm]

Nice build! What CAD/CAM software are you going to use? MACH3? EMC? What are you planning on cutting first? Cheers!

[r00t4rd3d]

Nice build! What CAD/CAM software are you going to use? MACH3? EMC? What are you planning on cutting first? Cheers!

I am going to try LinuxCNC(EMC2) for starters. I have no idea what I am going to cut first. Its my first build so I am still hoping the thing is just going to work.

[lukewarm]

I recommend EMC2, it's what we use and it is amazing. I got on a shopbot and the interface was so clunky compared to EMC, I just could not stand it.

[r00t4rd3d]

Another slow few days but I got the end connectors on the motor leads and the wire chain on the z axis.

[aarggh]

That's one of the best jobs I've seen on an MDF CNC! Awesome work!

cheers,
Ian