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Anyone have a hobbyist CNC machine?

Eventually I want to finish my garage (and insulate/heat it) and make it into a shop, it's something I may possibly consider. I'd probably look into building my own, would be a fun project. Threaded rods and stepper motors along with some positioning sensors so the machine can reposition/calibrate itself every now and then would be a good start. I'm not really mechanically inclined though, well, it's more that I have no clue where to even get the basic parts that I'd need like tracks and bearings. That would be the hard part on it's own. But once I'd figure all that out could make for a fun project.
 
I'm getting near the end of building this DIY 40w laser cutter: http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2011/02/buildlog-net-2-x-laser/

I just finished the wiring tonight. I still need to configure the computer to drive it, wire the laser, setup the cooling, and setup the exhaust ventiliation.

I want to get a CNC router as some point. I'm very likely to go with the Shapeoko 2. I suspect I'll outgrow it pretty quickly, but it's a super cheap starter CNC. $600 to start isn't bad.
 
Leros said:
I'm getting near the end of building this DIY 40w laser cutter: http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2011/02/buildlog-net-2-x-laser/

I just finished the wiring tonight. I still need to configure the computer to drive it, wire the laser, setup the cooling, and setup the exhaust ventiliation.

I want to get a CNC router as some point. I'm very likely to go with the Shapeoko 2. I suspect I'll outgrow it pretty quickly, but it's a super cheap starter CNC. $600 to start isn't bad.
Click to expand...

build your own with ply/mdf cut with your laser.
 
arkcom said:
build your own with ply/mdf cut with your laser.
Click to expand...

Need to get a 3D printer first so the first CNC machine can be built with the 3D printer then the 2nd CNC machine is built with the first CNC machine. :biggrin:

Add some AI into the computer so it just self heals itself if it breaks down.
 
I've got a 4'x4' Torchmate Small Shop Machine (CNC router) and recently a Tormach PCNC 1100 (CNC mill) now calls my garage home.

The first and most important question is: what do you want to do with it? If you don't have any sort of use in mind then picking the right machine will get pretty difficult.
 
I have plans drawn up for one and some of the code figured out to drive the stepper motors but it will be a long time till mine is up and running. I am trying to build it all from scratch including programming the microcontroller that’s running the steppers; I may end up using an open source Gcode interpreter so I don’t have to try to write that too.
 
Instan00dles said:
I have plans drawn up for one and some of the code figured out to drive the stepper motors but it will be a long time till mine is up and running. I am trying to build it all from scratch including programming the microcontroller that’s running the steppers; I may end up using an open source Gcode interpreter so I don’t have to try to write that too.
Click to expand...

LinuxCnc is very good for open source / free machine control. Unless you're really wanting a huge project.
 
Instan00dles said:
I have plans drawn up for one and some of the code figured out to drive the stepper motors but it will be a long time till mine is up and running. I am trying to build it all from scratch including programming the microcontroller that’s running the steppers; I may end up using an open source Gcode interpreter so I don’t have to try to write that too.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of just plinking around with it, but also thinking about making a cribbage board. I have designed a few board in the past and done them by hand but using a CNC machine would take it to the next level.
 
pete6032 said:
I was thinking of just plinking around with it, but also thinking about making a cribbage board. I have designed a few board in the past and done them by hand but using a CNC machine would take it to the next level.
Click to expand...

For that level of work you could get away with some REALLY cheap machines and control software. Just don't go cheap on your router bits and you'll do okay.

Really light-duty machines are still good for light engraving, custom PCB manufacture, and perhaps some light plastic cutting.
 
dave_the_nerd said:
You read my mind from last weekend. I now think I want a Shapeoko very badly.
Click to expand...

Just gave it a once-over and looked at the projects section. Lots of opportunity in non-metallic materials to have some fun. I wouldn't want to do metal though! Or even certain composites.

Looks simple to assemble and maintain, but using a Dremel type of tool as the spindle is a little sad... but anything 'good' will damn near double the cost of the hardware (at least).

I wish good machine equipment wasn't so pricey...
 
JCH13 said:
Just gave it a once-over and looked at the projects section. Lots of opportunity in non-metallic materials to have some fun. I wouldn't want to do metal though! Or even certain composites.

Looks simple to assemble and maintain, but using a Dremel type of tool as the spindle is a little sad... but anything 'good' will damn near double the cost of the hardware (at least).

I wish good machine equipment wasn't so pricey...
Click to expand...

What I really want to do is CNC mod a mini lathe. :awe:
 
pete6032 said:
Anyone who has one are they particularly loud?
Click to expand...

At least as loud as a dremel.

In my videos (not shapeoko) that's just the steppers that are that loud without the spindle even on.

Very dusty too, depending on what you are cutting. Have an enclosure (helps with noise too) or active dust extraction.
 
arkcom said:
build your own with ply/mdf cut with your laser.
Click to expand...

Sadly my laser cutter only has a 12x18" cutting area. I used the stock design. I wish I had thought about making the cutting area larger before I started building as it would have only cost $100-200 more to make it 50% larger. It'll cost a lot of money and take a lot of time n ow.
 
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