Builder's Spotlight: Jacob R.

When I started this website, I though maybe I would get a few people building this machine, and to the tee. My intention was to make it so that they can provide their own alterations and sizes. With Jacob's machine, the intent lives up to it's promise. Jacob did enhancements to the bed of the machine, reinforcing it so it would not sag, but he did not stop there. This guy is a true modder. He salvaged a component from his router to serve as a clamp. He also enhanced the lead screw nut adapting a flange to secure to the transfer piece. He has also selflessly provided an AutoCAD file to share with this community (with Read More...

Step 34: Software Toolchain Part 1 - Mach3 Installation

Now we come to the software section of this tutorial series. What's a software toolchain anyhow? Well, my fine feathered machinist... A software toolchain is a "chain" of software that enables the completion of an entire process from design to implementation. When I say chain, I mean a few programs.

In my explanation, I will discuss the individual software applications as the process is completed and I will get into more detail as I create the tutorials for each application. The toolchain can contain as many as three software applications, or as few as one. Read More...

See me at Maker Faire, Austin!

I'm really excited to be at the Maker Faire October 20th and 21st. I have been a devoted reader of the Make magazine, instructables and anything Make related on the web. This will be my first time attending the Maker Faire, let alone exhibiting my humble creation. I would have loved to go to the San Francisco/San Mateo Maker Faire. I guess I moved away from San Francisco too early to catch it. Read More...

Builder's Spotlight: Jim S.

Finally back in town after a conference in New York (for my day job). My youngest apprentice, Nicco had his first birthday yesterday. Chuck E. Cheese is quite event less on a weekday night, I found.

I would like to exhibit another build being completed by a dedicated viewer of this website. Jim S. emailed me in the infancy of this website and said he was interested in building the CNC. We have been emailing back and forth on various topics, which in turn gave me a good source of information for the website. Jim S.'s machine is looking Read More...

Step 33: Router Mount Part 4

This is the final step for the first phase of the router mount. I say first phase, because I will build a vacuum attachment that will also serve as an additional router mount. You will see the method at which I mount the router in this video. Instead of routing out a perfect circle, and we all know how good I am at routing out circles, and squeezing the circle around the router housing, the router mount will come in two parts and act like a vice. I did not want to put any undue stress on the wood by using the squeeze method, but it woks fine. I used it on my last machine and I had no problems and I even used only 1/2" thick MDF for the mount.

Step 32: Router Mount Part 3

I'll bet that you didn't think that the router mount for a CNC machine would take so long to build. This is probably why I waited so long to build it. All of the parts of this CNC machine is so easy to build. The router mount really is much more complex with all of the curves and the need to mount a pretty heavy router is not that easy, but don't let that scare ya'.

In this video, I'm installing the back part of the router mount. This piece will be sandwiched between the z-axis bearing supports. This will not only serve as the mount for the router, but it stabilizes the z-axis bearings as well. Read More...

Step 31: Router Mount Part 2

So we have the mount all drawn up on the board. It's time to do some cutting. This mount will have two parts, one for the back of the router that will be positioned between the z-axis bearing support pieces, and the second part that will provide the compression to hold the router in position.

You will first note that I did a horrible job with routing out the circle for the router. It makes me want my old CNC router back. Unfortunately I used it for parts on this build (the wife wouldn't let me buy new parts :) ). I definitely don't do a good job with freehand routing. A band saw Read More...

Step 30: The Router Mount Part 1

The first of the videos for the router mount is finally edited and ready to post. The z-axis bearing supports were made in the current shape to be able to hold the router with a piece of stock in-between containing a hole for the router. This hole will need the ability to tighten against the router for stability and leveling. For my machine, I'm making one mount. This router mount will be positioned around the upper part of the router housing. Later, I will be installing a vacuum connection which will also serve as increased support for the router.



You are saying to yourself, what about my router and what if it's a different size. The method I chose will work for various router sizes. First, I measure the Read More...

Step 29: Heat Sink and Driver Connections

Yes, we've use heat shrink, but now it's time for a heat sink. No, it's not a hot tub. A heat sink is usually a piece of metal that allows something that gets hot to dissipate the heat. It is advised for the three driver chips on the HobbyCNC board. The installation is straight forward. Holes are marked and then drilled. It is important to note that the drill will create many metal shavings. Metal shavings are incompatible to the proper functioning of the driver board. If any of those shavings get on the board, you will risk a blown chip. Before final installation of the heat sink, a white compound should be spread between the component and the metal, like a peanut butter sandwich. Read More...