[jsantos]

Hi All,

I've been lurking here for almost a month now trying to learn everything I can about building a CNC router. I'm a newbie and know very little about building a CNC. Everything I know about CNCs came from a couple of books, the threads in this form and from Ahren of cncrouterparts.com. Ahren has been very helpful in answering questions I have.

So now I'm ready to start building one. So here goes:

- 8' x 5' built mainly from 8020 aluminum
- Carriages & R&P from Ahren
- Rack from Moore Gear
- Rack clamps from Ahren
- Cold-rolled steel from McMaster
- GeckoDrive G540
- 380 oz-in from Ahren and Keling
- Power supply from Keling
- 8-inch z-axis from K2CNC
- Mach3 software
- Haven't decided on cad/cam yet

I've attached pictures of the plan. I tried to upload a sketchup file (2.3M) but I keep getting upload errors.

1.jpg - The whole thing.

2.jpg - I'm recycling the support and legs from my existing workbench. The CNC will also double as my workbench.

3.jpg - Frame. The overall frame will be 3030. 1515s will be ued to support the table top (mdf).

4.jpg - X-Axis Drive - Will use R&P from Ahren. Driven on both sides.

5.jpg - Gantry - The verticals supports are 1530. All the rest are 3030.

6.jpg - Y-Axis Drive. Will use R&P from Ahren. Not sure if I really need the carriages at the bottom.

7.jpg - The z-axis will be mounted on the stock aluminum shown.

8.jpg - Closer view of the overall CNC.


Now, if only the weather will cooperate and warm up a bit so I can start. :-(

Comments and suggestions are solicited and very welcome!