[JamesJmcGEE]

I'm wanting to build a small dremel based pcb router, maybe 12"X12" overall with a 10"X10" work area, similar to one of the widget masters. I have 2 small slide rails for the z axis, 2.5" travel. I have 2- 3/8 shafts and roller bearings for the y axis, (seem thin) I also just aquired 2- 1/2 shafts and 4 derlin bushing bearings for the x axis. I also have 1/2 acme screws and derlin nuts to fit. From what I have read these parts seem sufficient for the job to me.... . Does anyone see any "Improvements" to that style of machine I should try? Or warnings about common goof ups that aren't easy to see until its to late? Also from what I have read 1/2 is most used but Will 3/8 Aluminum plates/bars (I have some) be thick enough for the build?
Thanks
J

[wcarrothers1]

Don't have much to add other then I've reciently got a wolfgang engenearing spindle (guy sells them on ebay). I've been using it to do some really intrecate ingraveing and I can say it's a HUGE improvement over what ever a dreml could do. There is a guy on youtube with some nice video's using one on a small mill as well.

b.

[JamesJmcGEE]

I may get one later when I get "good" but right now I want to see if I can actually make a cnc machine that works, I'm not sure of things like what size the bearing mounting base and gantry arms should be for stability, I'm thinking 2.5" but I have no Idea... the bearings would almost touch, it just seems any more would cost alot of travel on the x axis. But thats why Im here asking. I cant afford to waste my aluminum... Its getting expensive

[JamesJmcGEE]

I guess no replies means it should work... or is everyone just a little tight lipped about what may be considered secrets? Or is it no one likes me

[JamesJmcGEE]

after some thought ... I'm going to build it out of wood first to make sure my ideas will work. Some aluminum and derlin, but mostly mahogany, I have some nice leftover 1x4's that are short. I wont use my long ones I may sell them to but steppers for my mini mill.

[epineh]

Not that I think building a CNC router is not a good idea (I have done one myself ) but for less than the price of the Dremel you could mod a printer to direct print PCB's, have a look here :

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30951

and see what you think, the results are amazing, here is one I prepared earlier The chip is an Allegro A3986 the package is a TSSOP, VERY small to work with.

Only downside is it is difficult (but not impossible) to do double sided.

Russell.

[JamesJmcGEE]

That was going to be my project, but my mind got changed....I have a Roland stika vinyl cutter I use. It works pretty good my boards just have to be a little bigger. Last year I made a few boards in the shop, very excited about my projects I came in the house and started putting things together. Got Pneumonia the next day or so, and didn't get back out to the shop for about three or four weeks.... I forgot to dispose of the acid mixture. I'm still de-rusting all my tools. My Harley wheels and other expensive chrome rusted. My aluminum parts were oxidized.... I'm done with the acid thing. I know it was MY fault, and after that I'll never forget again. But I hate expensive mistakes, and that one was very expensive and required alot of work (still got more to do) to recover from.

[harryn]

I have thought a lot about the question - what to build my cnc router from. I have a lot more experience with wood, so this initially pushed me in that direction. (not that I am good at it, I just have more experience making mistakes)

Anyway, I bought some scrap 3 x 3 x 1/4 in Al angle and started playing with it. After about 50 holes, I was increasingly confident in my ability to hand drill / tap it for M6 (about 1/4 in) screws. About that time, a friend loaned a small drill press to me, and I was able to do even better.

I guess my not so straightforward point here, is that Al is not really much harder to work with than wood (maybe easier in some ways), and I think it will end up giving me a better machine. Changes are pretty easy, and it makes for a stiff machine. Steel of course would be even more stiff, but I am not ready to take on that task with hand tools and a miniature drill press.

The mahogany I used in the past (Phillipine I think) is a nice wood, but I personnally think it is too soft to make a router frame. Maybe it is just me, but the stuff I had was not much different than using pine or douglas fir. If you want to stay with wood, maybe a hardwood veneer plywood might be better. I think a whole sheet of it at home depot is $ 50.

[JamesJmcGEE]

This is a very hard wood I have. You cant dent it with a hammer. Nails bend and screws break in it, I have to pre-drill. The guy I got it from said it was African mahogany but I really am not sure. It looks like mahogany and acts like red oak. but I think I'm just going to use the Aluminum, Its actually easier to work with.