Hi, I'm Matt. I'm new here.
I want a VMC, but they're expensive. So, I decided to to see if I can build one, or something close. I have no practical use for a CNC machine but it seems like a fun challenge.
This all started a year ago when I discovered "This Old Tony" on YouTube. Fast forward 6 months and I had found myself a Bridgeport and was learning to make parts, or as my girlfriend calls it, a very big mess in the garage.
Then I discovered "NYCCNC" on YouTube and was hooked on the idea of owning a VMC.
I started out learning Fusion 360 about 2 months ago. Then bought an Arduino, some accessories and stepper motors. I wanted to make sure I could learn the CAD/CAM and electronics before I really began building. Loaded up the gcode with UGS. That test was a success. I then started to draw out some gantry style machines based on some builds here and other research. I was happy with my rudimentary plans and wanted to move onto building. I started shopping for material to build the structure. I had planned on using aluminium extrusions but soon realized I was never going to have VMC rigidity with that method. Then I modified my design to use steel plates. I found some MiSumi linear rails that met my needs and incorporated them into my newer design.
I wasn't thrilled with this design. It still lacked rigidity and would probably never be capable of cutting more than aluminum. Then I stumbled upon this contraption.
Parker M57-83 X-Y-Z Stepper Motor 3 Axis CNC Stepper Motor Ball Screw Stage | eBay
It is a 1,100 lb granite and steel machine used for precision measuring from the 80's. It had a small X, Y and Z axis but more importantly, an incredibly rigid structure of granite on top of a nice steel stand. The table is 36"x35"x5" of solid rock.
I picked it up for a fraction of the asking price and it was only 70 miles my house.
The seller loaded it into my truck with a fork lift and I headed home, with no clue how I was going to get it out of the bed. 8 hours later and I had cobbled together a sketchy chain hoist mounted to the ceiling of my garage with strut and I was unloading it piece by piece, as I feared putting too much weight on my hoist and having it tear the TJI joists from my ceiling and who knows what else. It worked.
I also picked up a fair amount of scrap aluminum and stainless steel from the seller, including some pretty cool machined parts to assist with the build.
I expect to do some layout of materials tomorrow. I'm not sure if I am going to model this in Fusion or just go for it. I am open to ideas and suggestions of any type. I have a lot of work and will take any help I can get.
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So, I have come here to share this build with you all. I hope to learn from others who are more experienced than I am and share what I learn along the way. Stay tuned.
-Matt