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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Benchtop Machines > Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    WOW it's been along time since I posted here.

    OK, So the thought was to use the mounts just to get her going. BUT after I realized how stiff these mounts actually are I think they are here too stay. And if there is a runaway issue I will only damage some plastic mounts that can be redone with relative ease.

    Anyway here is the second air cutting pass that I made with it.

    I have some higher torque motors to wire in today. I am hoping by the end of today or tomorrow to actually cut some metal.

    I may also redo the y mount, flipping over the fixed end bearing for more y travel.

    I need to find a decent solution for work piece holding......

    OK enough babble heres the firs set of air passes

    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Well I got my vise ordered today along with some r-8 collets and collet holder set for er-16. I also got a quick change for the lathe ordered but that is for another thread I think.
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Posts
    70

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Very cool!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Thanks. I still have allot of work yet to do on it. The control box is running it but much of the control features have yet to be wired in or implemented yet. Due to lack of space in the boxes I think I will end up making a new control box instead of the 2 separate boxes I am using now. Considering I probably have more time into doing the boxes so far, it seems a shame. But the space is too limited and there are way too many wires.
    I will also be mounting a high frequency spindle on the side of the head. I already tested the weight and the 1100 oz in motor does just fine. :wee: I already have the spindle motor and a VFD, but I think I will get another one ordered with a higher output. Just for reference many of the features I am trying to "wire" in are nothing more than safety features. Like if pc is shut down, if power drops from one of the power supplies, if this if that if the other all shuts down. arduino modbus for control of air and coolant and so on.
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    139

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Is that table printed, or just painted blue?
    www.benchtopprecision.com
    | BF20/G0704 Belt Drive Kits | X2 Mini-Mill Belt Drive Kits |

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    The table is just painted. I will be adding the tooling plate tonight or tomorrow. 1" aluminum at 5 inches wide. I dont know if it will be permanent or just for vice use. time will tell.
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Any pictures of your Z axis mount with the ball screw? I'm trying to figure out how to do mine.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    This video has just a wee bit on the z axis mount. As it sits I drilled no holes, I only used supplied holes on the machine. I believe the top nut mount screw was m6x1 and the lower is m10x1.5.
    Anyway here is that link. I will try and get another showing more specifics tonight after it cools off. Florida sucks this time of the year for sure.



    here is the playlist I am working on with all the different cnc and 3d printer videos I have been doing.

    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...91t_hPqyaEXCFq
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Please take notice of the lights mounted on the mill. Well you can't see the lights only the light. Really and truly one of my favorite mods to date. They are 12v led "driving" light strips.

    I went out today and was going to get ready to do the holes for the other side of the tooling plate for the hold downs and I could not find my R-8 chuck set-up anywhere. GRRRRR. So I ended up ordering a R-8 jt33 arbor to have it tomorrow.
    OK, more details on the z axis assembly.

    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Got started on the coolant system yesterday/last night. Freaking stupid little bits and pieces always break the budget it seems.
    I also picked up the last bit to start on the HID lighting. Yes the LED strips are plenty enough, but the HID should be like the sun in the box.
    I am very displeased with the high speed spindle. It is crap, well I am sure it works, but the coolant passages seem like they are tiny and of course they are blocked.
    I have not yet decided if I am going to run the coolant through the spindle or just water and additive.
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Well I was able to get a good chunk of my main coolant set-up going this afternoon and tonight. I have only run it for a min or so cause I still have water proofing yet to do.

    mini mill coolant tank overview - YouTube
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    I hope you all had a happy fathers day?

    I didn't get much of anything done this weekend.

    Little clean up. Still have a lot to do. I will get the bed siliconized tonight I think and probably start working on covers for the ball-screws.

    I still have wood under the mill itself to raise it up though. And not having a chunk of metal to use to replace it I am not sure how to best go about sealing it.
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Ok so what have I been up too.

    Did a full teardown of the mini-mill. Then proceded to do some foam and resin work. The enclosure bed is now nice and waterproof. While apart I went ahead and took some pics of the nut assemblies and such. I reprinted the z axis fixed bearing mount and will test fit it this afternoon or this evening.

    My three inch vise came in and I am very very pleased with it for what it cost. I will do some modifications to it to make it fit my small table a bit better but I am happy overall.
    unboxing and first impressions.


    xyz sub assemblies









    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Quick explanation on the z axis lock. I ground down the one edge so that it cam be placed on the machine and removed at will. I will be using a hall sensor on the head to detect this "stop" to have a variable z max limit.

    So this is the foaming and carbon fiber along with the final resin seal. I don't think I had to even buy the tube of silicone sealant. I am happy with the outcome ans after sanding I only needed a tiny shim for leveling.

    Mill foam and polly work 619-20 with carbon fiber stiffening. - YouTube
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    So I got less than nothing done this weekend it seems. Other hobbies pulled me away from the mill.
    But i did receive the box of tooling I had ordered a couple weeks ago. So I got that unpacked almost 2 days after getting it.

    I also forgot to trim down the x ballscrew before getting it put back on and I do not think I will be expending the time to do so right now. That being said I should have it all back together tonight or tomorrow depending on temperature and time. Once it is mechanically back together I am going to revisit the electronics enclosures. I think I will keep the top box as it has an electrical safety switch, and just make the larger bottom box rely on the top box to be open prior to the lower. That will ensure there is no power to the enclosures when it is open.

    OK the tools un-boxing

    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Posts
    124

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Well it has been like 140f out in the shop, but I did managed to get the new y mount mounted and wow it seems like there is allot less tension on the screw. it must have been binding just a tiny bit before. I should now be able to run 200+ipm on both axis. It really sucks the cooling ports in the automation technologies spindle are all plugged with crap. I will have to look for a new spindle option as it sits. BOOOOO
    innovating the imitated
    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT0IPUIWKw2G8Wdb6c291t_hPqyaEXCFq

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    6

    Re: Harbor freight X2 CNC built using 3d printed mounts. IT'S ALIVE

    Thats a suite rig you got there , did you say you were driving it with arduino?

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