20 cnc machine

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http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/ Home Sign Up! Browse Community Submit All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Photo Ride Science Tech $20 CNC Machine by Techbuilder on April 16, 2009 Table of Contents License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Intro: $20 CNC Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 step 1: Find recycled material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 step 2: Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 step 3: Linear slides of fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 step 4: X,Y,Z tables for your brunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 step 5: Motor mount time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 step 6: Thread me please . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 step 7: Gluing time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 step 8: Where's the Z axis :( . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 step 9: A piece from the heaven's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 step 10: Tall posts oh my! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 step 11: Are we done yet! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 step 12: Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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20 USD CNC Machine

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  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Home Sign Up! Browse Community Submit All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Photo Ride Science Tech

    $20 CNC Machineby Techbuilder on April 16, 2009

    Table of Contents

    License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Intro: $20 CNC Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

    step 1: Find recycled material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

    step 2: Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

    step 3: Linear slides of fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

    step 4: X,Y,Z tables for your brunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

    step 5: Motor mount time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

    step 6: Thread me please . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

    step 7: Gluing time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

    step 8: Where's the Z axis :( . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10step 9: A piece from the heaven's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

    step 10: Tall posts oh my! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

    step 11: Are we done yet! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

    step 12: Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

    Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

    Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

    Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa)

    Intro: $20 CNC MachineI got inspired for this instructable when I viewed the Easy To Build Stepper Controller

    instructable .When I read the instructable I knew I could make a decent looking and functioning cnc machine for under 20 dollars with a recycled twist, Not to mention Idid this in under a week.

    I expect you to have basic knowledge on power tools and hand toolsand of course this instructable requires you to have a rotary tool such as a dremel.Even if you don't have knowledge on power tools or hand tools I advise you to try this instructable because you will learn a lot about hand and power tools and you canbuild this for less then 20 dollarsso if you mess up it's no biggie and it would not cost to much to replace a part.

    Let's Build!

    Update 02/01/10

    {Hi everyone just thought I would give you an update on this instructable since Ive been gettinga lot of emails and messages and such.

    I'm getting really close to completing the electronics for the CNC,as stated in a comment the steppers I found in the printer were bi-polar stepper motors which the circuitwould cost quite a bit more if you went this route. If you were lucky to find some Unipolar stepper motorsthen you could build the electronics for under 3 bucks however unipolar motors have less torque. I will be selling CNC kits soon and they will be of better build quality aswell as a cheap price tag because I know how it is to be on a budget and not have the tools I need to create simple things and even complex things and this world needsmore DIY builders.

    The CNC kits will be available roughly 1 to 2 weeks after the electronics Instructable has been releasedtheir will actually be a video showing this CNC working when the electronics Instructable is completed}

    Image Notes1. Electronics Instructable soon to come!

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    step 1: Find recycled materialNow this is the most enjoyable part of building the cnc machinewhich is trying to find garbage that people want to throw away.

    Here's what you need to locate

    Flat bed scanner

    Old printer

    These two items are going to have your juicy stepper motors and thebeautiful harden steel rods, that's not the only thing you can get out of these green machines.

    You will find gears, bushings, cold cathodes, capacitors, buttons, parallel ports and there isso much more.

    Image Notes1. The victim

    Image Notes1. So much fun

    Image Notes1. Harden steel rod Could be used for axis if you can locate 2 alike2. Cold cathode Could be used for a light box

    Image Notes1. Parts

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. Stepper motor or aka the holy grail2. Bushings

    step 2: ToolsNow I tried to build this with the bare necessities so I could show you that it is possible tomake a cnc machine with very little.

    Required Tools:

    Drill

    Screw drivers

    Tap and Die set

    Rotary tool

    Hack saw

    Vise or some form of clamping device

    Pliers

    Drill bits

    File

    Center punch

    Recommended Tools:

    Band saw

    Table saw

    Lathe

    Bench grinder

    Bolt cutters

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. Hack saw2. Drill3. Vise4. 3ft aluminum rod

    step 3: Linear slides of funThe center core of your cnc machine is your tablesso read carefully and follow the instructable.

    Required materials

    Quantity Type Cost

    4 2"x6"x1/2" Expanded PVC 2.00

    2 2"x4"x1/2" Expanded PVC 1.00

    2 10" 3/8" Aluminum rod 0.75

    2 12" 3/8 Aluminum rod 0.75

    2 8" 3/8" Aluminum rod 0.50

    1 11 1/4" 5/8"-24 threaded rod 1.00

    1 9 1/4" 5/8"-24 threaded rod 0.75

    1 7 1/4" 5/8"-24 threaded rod 0.50

    Now this is just the run down of everythingI of course cut everything up, you can purchase everything you see here from your localhardware store and plastic store for really cheap.

    First step

    Stack 2 of the expanded pvc pieces that are the same size and drill a whole in the centerand two holes each three quarters of an inch from the edge from the center line.

    Now cut your aluminum rods to size and stick them through,now you should have a comparable piece down below

    Repeat for all Axis

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. Expanded PVC

    Image Notes1. This is what it should look like after you are done

    Image Notes1. Holes for the aluminum rod2. Hole for motor

    Image Notes1. X and Y axis

    Image Notes1. Z axis

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    step 4: X,Y,Z tables for your brunchAlright now here comes the most time consuming partmaking the tables for the slides but once they are made it really feels like the projectis taking off.

    Required Materials

    Quantity Type Cost

    1 6"x12"x1/4" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    1 6"x10"1/4" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    1 5 1/2"x5"x1/4" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    15 1 1/2"x1 3/4"x1/2" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    Now what you are going to want to do is stack 4 pieces of the 1 1/2"x1 3/4"x1/2"and drill dead center with a 3/8 drill bit

    After you have done so feed 2 pieces on each rodand line them up and place your sheet on top and flip it over now glue.

    Repeat for each axis

    For your Y axis

    now would be a good time to drill your holes so you can mount things you wish to cut.

    Image Notes1. 1 1/2"x1 3/4"x1/2" Square blocks

    Image Notes1. Square blocks with the rods through them

    Image Notes1. Acrylic Sheet flipped over and aligned straight2. Square block ready to be glued3. Use acrylic glue for maximum strength and clean look

    Image Notes1. You should end up with something like this. Repeat this step to make all threeaxis.

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. Grid paper is a good way to get your holes in parallel.

    Image Notes1. Pretty

    step 5: Motor mount timeNow depending on where you get your motor fromthey are all going to be different so they will require special mounts

    I recommend printer stepper motors because they are easy to mount but scanner steppers motors will work just fine.Now in step three you should have drilled the motor hole and now all you have to do is mount it in

    The coupler that attaches from your stepper to your threaded rod is going to be different based onstepper you have.

    I made one out of aluminum but you can make one out of plastic just as long as it is wide enough.All you have to do is drill in the center of a little piece of rodto the size of the stepper then on the other side drill 5/16 for the threaded rod.After that tap the 5/16 sideAnd glue

    Image Notes1. Recycled Printer stepper motor attached

    Image Notes1. Screw that attaches stepper motor2. Aluminum coupler I made The one I made use's a set screw but you can glue itin but it will be permanent.

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    step 6: Thread me pleaseNow once you have made your coupler it's timeto attach the threaded rod and glue a threaded coupler to one of the 1 1/2"x1 3/4"x1/2" square blocks

    You have to make sure that the center on the threaded coupler matches the center of the threaded rod.

    After you should get something like down below

    Required Materials

    Quantity Type Cost

    3 5/8"-24x1" threaded coupler 0.60

    Repeat for each axis

    Image Notes1. Just a piece of rod I used to mark the center

    Image Notes1. Thread coupler glued in place Sorry I didn't take a close up shot

    step 7: Gluing timeSo now you should have all three axis completed and now it's time to line them up and glue.

    The base I used was a 20"x12"x1/4" piece of white acrylic I found at the plastic store

    You could use smaller but I wouldn't recommend it

    Once you have found a base, glue your x axis to it and then your y axis to your x axis acrylic top,then you should have something like down below.

    use acrylic gluefor this step

    it will glue expanded pvc as well if your wondering

    After that Glue your z axis to a piece of8"x4"x1/4" acrylic sheet.

    Required materials:

    Quantity Type Cost

    1 20"x12"x1/4" Acrylic sheet scrap

    1 8"x4"x1/4" Acrylic sheet scrap

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. You should have something that looks like this2. Base I used

    Image Notes1. Glue here using acrylic glue2. Glue all the expanded pvc to the acrylic sheet but make sure it's parallel

    step 8: Where's the Z axis :(Don't worry I didn't forget about that

    Moving along

    Now we want to add a mount for are rotary tool to the acrylic sheet on the z axis

    I used a pipe holder and a screw clamp, you can buy both these items at a local hardware store for really cheap.

    You have to cut a little lip to attach to the acrylic sheet because the pipe mount isn't going to be flat once you slide the rotary tool in because it expands.

    Place the pipe mount on top of the acrylic lip and glue.

    Required Materials

    Quantity Type Cost

    1 Pipe mount 0.40

    1 Screw clamp Free

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. Bent in

    Image Notes1. Acrylic lip I used my dremel to make this piece

    Image Notes1. Acrylic lip the shape of the pipe mount2. Leave a 1/16 or more gap for the screw clamp.3. Glue together using epoxy or super glue

    step 9: A piece from the heaven'sNow that you made your z axis rotary mount it's time to set upthe posts and the acrylic sheet that connects them.

    You need a square hole in the center of the 10"x16"x5/16" acrylic sheet to feed your z axis through

    After you have cut that out it's time to attach a thick piece of a acrylicto support the z axis on.

    After you have done that you should attach you z axis to it and make sure the acrylic piece is sticking out at least 1/16" off the edge so you can have a flat side.

    Required materials:

    Quantity Type Cost

    1 10"x16"x5/16" Acrylic Sheet Scrap

    1 1 1/2"x5"x1" Acrylic Sheet Scrap(aka thick piece)

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    Image Notes1. Used a dremel with a cutting blade then cleaned it up with sanding attachment

    Image Notes1. 1 1/2"x5"x1"2. Glue to the bottom of the piece you just cut out3. Then glue your 4"x8"x1/4" to the block

    step 10: Tall posts oh my!Now it's time to gluethe 1 1/2"x16"x1" posts to the z axis acrylic topand then after your done with that, you then glue it to the base.

    Required Materials:

    Quantity Type Cost

    4 1 1/2"x16"x1" Scrap

    Image Notes1. Applying pressure after I set the acrylic glue in.

    Image Notes1. Glue the post to the sheet2. Glue the post to the base

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    step 11: Are we done yet!The answer is no but we do happen to be mechanical donenow because of the short amount of time I had I could not add the electronics part to this instructable,so I am going dedicate an entire instructable just to the electronics part some time this week as well as a video.So turn that frown upside down

    Word of advise this is quite a bit of work even though it may not look like itso by the time you have this finished the electronics instructable will be beyond finished.

    I will most likely add it on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

    Part list:

    Quantity Type Cost

    4 2"x6"x1/2" Expanded PVC 2.00

    2 2"x4"x1/2" Expanded PVC 1.00

    2 10" 3/8" Aluminum rod 0.75

    2 12" 3/8 Aluminum rod 0.75

    2 8" 3/8" Aluminum rod 0.50

    1 11 1/4" 5/8"-40 threaded rod 1.00

    1 9 1/4" 5/8"-40 threaded rod 0.50

    1 7 1/4" 5/8"-40 threaded rod 0.25

    1 6"x12"x1/4" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    1 6"x10"1/4" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    1 5 1/2"x5"x1/4" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    15 1 1/2"x1 3/4"x1/2" Acrylic sheet Scrap

    3 5/8"-24x1" threaded coupler 0.60

    1 20"x12"x1/4" Acrylic sheet scrap

    1 8"x4"x1/4" Acrylic sheet scrap

    1 Pipe mount 0.40

    1 Screw clamp Free

    4 1 1/2"x16"x1" Scrap

    ? Scrap from Tap Plastics 12.00

    Total= 19.50

    I got all my plastic from tap plastics scrap bin and I got the rest of the pieces from home depotand a local metal supply shop.

    Image Notes1. Almost all done!

    Image Notes1. Electronics Instructable soon to come!

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    step 12: RecommendationsNow the stepper motors you find in a printer would do just finebut after a while I would highly recommend to upgrade to some bigger stepper motors.

    As for the expanded pvc I would replace that with Acrylic but do to the fact that I had a budget and the short amount of time I had no choice but to go with expanded pvcbut I would really recommend you use acrylic.

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    Comments50 comments Add Comment view all 104 comments

    69fordf100 says: Oct 2, 2010. 11:57 AM REPLYwhere do you find a pipe mount?

    khalidkhattak says: Sep 28, 2010. 8:24 AM REPLYExcellent article and awesome work. Thanks for sharing with us.Regardshttp://my-woodcarving.blogspot.comhttp://free3dscans.blogspot.com

    sadiablo says: Sep 8, 2010. 6:37 AM REPLYNice ible :) I'm in the planning and budgeting stage at the moment and have my steppers and controllers on order. Just a couple of quick queries on theconstruction of your magnificent machine.

    1. With the measurements you have used what is the useable cutting area?

    And2. Is there any reason you couldn't screw and glue the joins for extra stability and strength?Any help would be muchly appreciated

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    simon661 says: Sep 5, 2010. 4:58 PM REPLYBTW To all canadians that live in toronto. I got 4 stepper motor for $10. I bought it from Active Surplus. They have a lot of tools you will need to build this cncmachine.

    mman1506 says: Sep 5, 2010. 7:28 PM REPLYgo active

    simon661 says: Sep 5, 2010. 3:59 PM REPLYI need the PDF file :( To bad im not a pro member.

    falafle says: Sep 1, 2010. 9:12 AM REPLYhey really cool idea for you ! write a plugin for sketchup that will translate a sketch into a depthmap and use that to control your cnc machine! thats what i didand it made it super easy use my own cnc machine.

    livingbios says: Sep 3, 2010. 7:40 AM REPLYCould you explain this? Is this plugin for sketchup literally sending the step sequences? I'm really not understanding how this would play out.

    falafle says: Sep 3, 2010. 11:31 AM REPLYthis method of control works like this: ruby script---->export to external aplication(self written)---->commands sent via serial-----> interpretation bymicrocontroller----> MOVEMENT | V feedback of position to app via serial

    treflip says: Aug 30, 2010. 9:21 PM REPLYDid you ever offer the kits?

    nazgults says: Aug 5, 2010. 7:21 AM REPLYWhich type of the scanner is this?

    filjoa says: Jul 11, 2010. 3:27 AM REPLYHi nice project... what hardware you use? best regards

    wii552 says: Dec 19, 2009. 6:21 AM REPLYcould wood be used instead of plastic for most things?

    NewB007 says: Dec 31, 2009. 9:40 AM REPLYWood expands and contracts with humidity (and non-uniformly depending on grain), so you wouldn't maintain the tolerances needed for most CNCmachines.

    That said, if you live somewhere with a constant (or complete lack of) humidity, such as in the desert somewhere, wood that has been fully cured (and/orfully weather-sealed) may work just fine. For anywhere else, I suppose if there were enough play between the wood parts and the rods, then you may beable to make it work with a sacrifice in quality of the finished product and the risk of binding up of the threaded rods and couplers.

    If you aren't after high quality reproduction of your design (accuracy), then wood may be fine there, also. Basically, this is a M-16 vs. AK-47 argument. One has tighter tolerances and higher accuracy, and the other has looser tolerances and lower accuracy. In the end, if it is good enough to do the job,that is all that matters. Binding would be the only risk here.

    tanmanknex says: Jan 3, 2010. 7:58 AM REPLY in Utah it means yes!!!

    sssssbooom says: Mar 21, 2010. 10:44 PM REPLYI disagree, In the past 2 weeks we have had snow, rain, wind, and 60 degree weather. And my doors lock is harder to lock in the winter. So Idon't think the humidity is constant at all.

    CharMio says: Jun 30, 2010. 6:55 AM REPLYdisagreeing with a scientifically proven fact, i like your style! (wood takes more than two weeks to expand)

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    sssssbooom says: Jun 30, 2010. 9:55 AM REPLYThe two weeks is only explaining how often the weather changes. "if you live somewhere with a constant (or complete lack of)humidity, such as in the desert somewhere," Utah is not one of those. I never stated that wood expand faster then 2 weeks.

    tanmanknex says: Jun 30, 2010. 10:17 AM REPLYI don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that so... Yeah. Anyway, the humidity where I live usually is pretty constant, thoughtoday during Marching Band it felt like Louisiana. Or Georgia. Or some other southeastern state where it's really humid. Humidityis the one thing I can't stand, weatherwise.

    sssssbooom says: Jun 30, 2010. 9:51 PM REPLYYou wrote it 6 months ago, I barely remember replying. Well until CharMio misunderstood my reply lol. :)

    socalcovey says: Mar 3, 2010. 3:55 AM REPLYIn Washington it means NO!

    pyrorower says: Apr 20, 2010. 10:07 AM REPLYIf you attach the proper tip, couldn't you also use this for metal part fabrication?

    microwizard says: Apr 9, 2010. 7:36 AM REPLYIt would be nice to have so much acrylic sheets as "scrap" :-P

    amdivoff says: Mar 21, 2010. 8:34 AM REPLY? what tool would you guys recommend to use to get clean cuts on the sheets

    Bowtie41 says: Mar 26, 2010. 12:49 PM REPLYI reverse the blade on either a circular or table saw with good results.Don't forget to put it back right when you are done!!!

    socalcovey says: Mar 3, 2010. 3:47 AM REPLYhey..now don't panic...but you may want to read the sentence again...it says "two holes each three quarters of an inch from the edge from the center line" not"a half of an inch" ?

    frmco says: Jan 8, 2010. 6:28 PM REPLYThis is a wonderfull peace of work and I am a model airplane maker and a finish carpenter and also facinated by cnc machines. yours is state of the art. Ionly wish that I could have been able to communicate with you and get help going through building it completely with the electronics. But I still would like tothank you for all the information provided. I shall be looking for more info. if you should post them in future. Great work.

    dpsilver says: Mar 1, 2010. 6:56 PM REPLYthe electronics are simple for a 5 wire motor set up ive built my own and tested all three axis now im making the actual machine

    fruitkid101 says: Feb 15, 2010. 11:45 AM REPLYHey guys I dont have any stepper motors but will the small $6 ones from adafruit industries work?

    Techbuilder says: Feb 27, 2010. 8:37 AM REPLYSorry to inform you but those don't have nearly enough torque to drive anything really other then something as light as foam.

    You have to either find some old printers with some large sized steppers oryou will have to purchase them.

    jamesshin10 says: Jan 9, 2010. 6:03 AM REPLY umm u said here that we need to locate a old printer can u indicate a specific type cause i have a hard time finding a 5 pins stepper motor.. plss help..

    electrotech says: Feb 26, 2010. 4:28 PM REPLYThe five pin stepper motor is unipolar, the four pin motor you have is a bipolar. These are easy to run using a L293D IC. You can download the datasheet on line.

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    skaar says: Jan 28, 2010. 8:27 AM REPLYyou don't need a five pin, the place the coils connect in the middle, just chop it off.

    snowpenguin says: Apr 22, 2009. 9:51 AM REPLYThis is really only $20 if you have most of the materials to build it already. Most people don't have 3 flatbed scanners sitting around, but if you do, luck you!You also need software, which is more expensive. Great CNC though! I've been planning on buiulding a much bigger one for a while now and will probablypost an 'Ible on it. Good job!

    Techbuilder says: Apr 22, 2009. 11:58 AM REPLYYou can build this for 20 dollars the flat bed scanners are free. You would be surprised how many people throw away printers and scanners. All you haveto do is contact your local E waste and ask if they have any scanner or printers. The software is free as well I use turbo cnc for the unipolar and mach 3for the bi polar schematic .

    fruitkid101 says: Feb 26, 2010. 12:11 PM REPLYwill the small steppers from adafruit industries work? They're 6 bucks.

    snowpenguin says: Apr 22, 2009. 8:30 PM REPLYIf you get lucky you could source some steppers free, but what about general parts? Acrylic is EXPENSIVE and most people don't have piles andpiles of it laying around. I'm going to be making mine out of MDF. I'm interested in the software you use though. I saw that Mach 3 has a limit of 500lines of g-code in the free version. How about turbocnc? I didn't think that was free. What do you use for CAD and CAM? I'd been planning on usingEMC2 but if I can get free Windows software that would be great. Thanks

    willrandship says: Jun 15, 2009. 7:35 PM REPLYTurboCNC is shareware, meaning you could download and use it, but it will either have limited functionality, a limited time, or it will havereminders saying "register turboCNC!" I believe TurboCNC uses the first, and possibly the third.

    funlw65 says: Feb 4, 2010. 1:03 PM REPLYFortunately, in TurboCNC terms, SHAREWARE means that you don't get the sources. No limitations at all.

    But, if you want a software with sources (not EMC and working in MS-DOS), then look for http://moriscanet.blogspot.com/2008/11/cncpro-pd-software.html

    dagenius says: Apr 22, 2009. 6:05 PM REPLYYou should make one of a 3D printer, not a mill, sort of like the reprap/repstrap.

    dylanwinn says: Dec 31, 2009. 9:02 AM REPLYWhat exactly is the workable area for this? It looks like it couldn't be much more than 6 x 6 inches.

    countable says: Jan 29, 2010. 1:39 AM REPLYSurely if you need an area larger than that, you could scale it up. These are just dimensions the author used.

    aaronscottaugustinhotmail.com says: Jan 21, 2010. 1:08 PM REPLYI am having a hard time finding the controllers (e.g. like servo II) Were are they in this instructable?

    nightcreep20 says: Jan 17, 2010. 1:27 PM REPLYyou should build this and sell them for 50 for a $30 profit

    060537 says: Jan 16, 2010. 2:20 AM REPLYI don't think I can build this within $50.The tools are so expensive.

    buryo says: Jan 13, 2010. 8:38 AM REPLYCongratulation! Nice project, but can you post the electronics for stepper motors?

    randhee says: Jan 8, 2010. 11:16 PM REPLY What kind of glue?

  • http://www.instructables.com/id/20-CNC-Machine/

    hinow41 says: Jan 5, 2010. 4:57 PM REPLY you needn't use acrylic. steel, al, wood, pvc, would all make do

    cheeswiz says: Sep 30, 2009. 11:20 AM REPLYI have been collecting a few printers and scanners (not enough though) to do almost this Exact Project, actually im going to build a RepRap. anyways thisInstructable is the Perfect one to help me. you have done what i have been thinking about how to do. i will now beable to finnish the project. i have alsofound a way to drive the Steppers from old computer parts with not much more than a Soldering iron. Well Thanks for the Instructable!

    hondaman900 says: Jan 3, 2010. 10:35 AM REPLYDo share or provide a link please, on how to "drive the Steppers from old computer parts with not much more than a Soldering iron". That would be veryhelpful. Thx

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