Building your own CNC router/milling machine

Instructables ^ | 2015? | Trochilidesign

[Utilizer]

Bewdy project for indoor relaxation when the weather is not suitable for any outdoor activities.

If you are a hobbyist/modeler/custom-builder.

I would love to make one of these!

[Paladin2]

Better to rent at various Maker Shops.

[Utilizer]

You are assuming everyone has access to such shops.

Nothing like that outside of the major cities here. Perhaps in Silicon Valley.

[mountn man]

Here is something I found a couple of years ago.
Its a homebuilt cnc table w/ co2 laser.
The build on everything is very well. The table build would be very much the same as a router.

http://www.nilno.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi

[Paladin2]

Business opportunity....

[glasseye]

A buddy has a Chevalier CNC mill and a 16 inch lathe.
I make aftermarket parts for Vespa scooters on the CNC.
At home I have a RU-31 mill and a 1962 Southbend 10k lathe.
Those I use for tinkering.
Great fun to work metal.

[Utilizer]

Hmmm! Great thought! I may just look into that, thanks mate!

[Utilizer]

Mmm! (wincing a bit)

Looks quite interesting, but the power requirements for that sort of cutting/carving tool look to be a bit on the heavy side...

Nice output, though.

[mountn man]

There are people who have DIY automated manual mills, such as Grizzly’s.
Maybe find yourself a used mill and then convert it over.

Youtube is a goldmine.
You might find this guy informative

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRcZL-xSVg55-na811vMgGA

[mountn man]

Do a search on Youtube of “DIY CNC routers”.
ALL sorts of info and ideas to find.

[mountn man]

Maybe these will spark an interest

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=diy+cnc+mill+conversion

[bigbob]

I’ve seen pretty decent work done on machines made using drawer slides from the hardware store and PVC pipe. Good enough to route signs and make artsy things, and pretty cheap if you’re willing to shop eBay and put some sweat equity into it. You can always upgrade the mechanics and move the motors and electronics onto a bigger and better machine.

[roadcat]

Nothing like that outside of the major cities here. Perhaps in Silicon Valley.

And in Austin, Texas. I worked on such a machine at the Maker Shop there with my son-in-law. Whatever you need, they have the tools and machines. Benders, welding equipment, powder-coating machines, all big scale. Much easier to pay for the rental and access than to own a quarter-million dollar machine.

[taxcontrol]

I am toying with the idea of creating a CNC to handle 4x8 plywood and then developing cut files that will cut the parts for a 4v or L4 dome (https://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_Dome_Notes?page=5#L4%20Icosahedron%20Dome).

The idea would be to cut the struts from 3/4 plywood, hinge the triangles using regular door hinges, assemble the triangles to create a frame, cover the frame with screening and assemble the triangles into a dome. Once assembled, the custom fitting of doors and windows would need to be done to finish the framing. If the dome is large enough, a second story can be added but with the right hardware, the weight of the floor would be transfered to the outer shell via eyebolts.

Once the framing is completed, spray the exterior with a thin layer of Grancrete, the flow of the spray would be stopped by the screen. From there, add rebar and chain link fence and shotcrete/grancrete the exterior to create the thin shell. If an even thicker shell is required, bricks can be added to the exterior for additional mass. Foam insulation could then be sprayed on the inside. From there, finish the interior as normal (well, as normal for a dome).

I know there are other techniques for building a dome but this seems to me to be the least expensive, lower cost method for assembly. Done correctly, could be done by one skilled individual and one helper. Other techniques such as the monolitic dome method are designed to meet other criteria and seem to be more expensive.

[factoryrat]

Google “DIY CNC mill”. Lots of designs, kits, parts, and software out there.

I’ve been slowly collecting parts to build one based on a tabletop milling machine.

[mountn man]

What he is interested in is a DIY project. Probably in the $300-$1500 for building it, plus adding for the computer and the programing.

I've seen workable projects for about $500

$2k-$3k for serious hobbiests

[Nailbiter]

bump for later perusal

[Vigilantcitizen]

I ran a small cnc router for an a exhibit-museum-themed enviroment shop for several years.(Made some sign stencils for freedom poster to protest cynthia mckinney). When i say run....i mean take abstract designs turn them into dimension parts. My crowning achievement was a fuctioning fire truck for miami childrens museum...3/4 sticking out the wall. Out of 3/4 birch plywood. Now the pump system and cockpit and lights came from outside vendors....and I copied the shape from a blown up pic...but it was cool.

One can build VERY structurally sound and light things using 3/4 birch, wood glue, and a narrow crown staple gun.

[Vigilantcitizen]

And i meant to add....there are free, easy cad type drawing programs...which will work with modern router software which doess all the tool path for you.
When i first ran cnc’s....you had to program line by line. It took forever.

[SoCal Pubbie]

I am going to check out one of those maker shops here in the OC. They charge a monthly or yearly fee, like a gym. It’s kind of pricey and I can’t afford it right now.