My Homebuilt CNC

cdndave

Hi there

I'm actually building a CNC based on buildyourcnc.com 1.3 design. I'm going to use that CNC to build one based on his blacktoe design.

Patrick has been very inspirational to me.

I'd be willing to share the sketchup file with anyone who's interested, but I'd recommend that you hold out until I finish my build so I can tell you if my plans are worth anything

Dave

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kolias

David I have another few questions:

How big is your CNC?
Which software you use and from where did you get it?
Where do you find the patterns?

Thanks

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Nicolas

davidbarr

I can machine 36"x50" and is expandable
I ordered it in kit form from
[url="http://wwwbuildyourcnc.com"]
I use Mach 3 software for the controller
I use CamBam for Cad/Cam. It does a good job for now.
All my 3D stuff comes from VectorArt 3D

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No man e'er was glorious, who was not laborious.
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey.
Boy I don't owe you nothin but a butt whoppin and that bill is long overdue!!!

kolias

Thank you David, Much appreciated

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Nicolas

cdndave

I'm in the process of building a CNC based on Patrick's design (the guy Dave bought the kit from).

I've started my own thread to doc my build, and I'll share my Sketchup drawings with any interested.

Dave Barr: could you share your impressions on the design, the weaknesses and what you would improve.

Thanks,

Dave

levon

my question is can you make the same results by hand? it doesnt seem much like real woodworking if you have to have a computer to do it for you?????

it seems to fall more in the computer field to me. not real woodworking.

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levon

davidbarr

Cdndave
Overall it is good design. When I do rebuild it. I will use steel tubing. For the base frame 1"x2". For the gantry lighter steel tubing or 1"x2" expanded aluminum. Same for the cradle. I would want the base heavy to maintain its rigidity. I also would like the gantry light but solid to increase speed and agility. Patrics design uses aluminum angle for the ways. They work pretty good, are pretty rigid, and are very forgiving when it comes to squaring up the machine. But they are a temporary. They won't hold up as long as rails. I will also probably go with a belt drive for my axises for increased speed and larger motor's (I'm currently using 328oz motors). Long story short, beefier materials. Bigger snd Stronger. I really like the fact that his machine iexpandible. That is why I will be using belts instead of leadscrews. Belts are easier and cheaper to upgrade.

levon
I can use traditional woodworking tools to make whatever I would like. The carvings not so much. I'm not an artist. I mean if you want to get technical about it the use of any power tool would not be tradional wood working would it? Like the guy on The WoodWrights Shop. I love that guy. He is highly skilled no doubt. But I bet you would use a router and a dovetail jig to make dovetail for a chest of drawers. He wouldn't. It would take him a couple of hours and you a few minutes. I built my machine so that I could start a buisiness. Time is money. The more time I save the more money I make. Thanks for the post. And I will agree with you that it does take less skill. Who really cares thogh as lng as you are having fun and take pride in what you do?

__________________
No man e'er was glorious, who was not laborious.
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey.
Boy I don't owe you nothin but a butt whoppin and that bill is long overdue!!!

cdndave

Hi Levon,

it`s a marriage of woodworking and computer skills, it still requires creativity, logic and knowledge of the properties of wood, like David says "it's just another power tool".

my 2 cents worth

CdnDave

levon

hi Dave,

it seems the people that are big computer reliant people have very few posts, like the more knowledgeable experts. no disrespect meant!

i take my advice from the old guard that seems to have a lot of experience.

we can agree to disagree as long as we respect each other, right?

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levon

Check twice!

Hi

Every time this topic comes up,,,, "man verses machine", I wonder what our ancestors would say if they saw the type of power tools we use to create wood projects in this day and age.

It is a very interesting subject and one that "personal preferance" plays the biggest role.

Even though I do have a CNC I still like the old hands on technique,,,,,,, unless we are doing alot of repeating cuts.

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John

Cleaning my glasses will not make me look any better, but will make what I'm looking at better!