I did it! Handmade CNC Machine. Need Plates?

scherubino · Post by **scherubino** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:50 pm

it's in another thread but it's true

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:27 pm

Is that a dremel the CNC uses to do the actual cutting?

Also, what set-up are you using to control it? Is there software provided or that you have access to that you are using?

scherubino · Post by **scherubino** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:37 pm

Yes, it's a regular old dremel. I may be upgrading to a RotoZip if I need more power.

I use a Pentium 4 computer to control it. I use Mach 3 software from Artsoft (which is amazing and free!)

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:41 pm

Wow - that was a fast reply. Thank you! I'm taking a long, hard look at those plans... Granted I don't currently have the cash or place to build an entire CNC router, but there's nothing wrong with just buying some plans, right? I mean, I've got the dremel...

sweetsuzuki · Post by **sweetsuzuki** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:02 pm

how do you draw up templates for a CNC machine to cut out? I might be interested in having a faceplate made.

joevennix · Post by **joevennix** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:01 pm

Scherubino, you are awesome. Got the MDF for this thing today, leftover from one of my grandpa's projects. Can't wait till the summer, when this thing gets built. Gonna be kickASS.

elementxmaster · Post by **elementxmaster** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:28 am

scherubino · Post by **scherubino** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:01 pm

sweetsuzuki, if you use a vector drawing program like Illustrator, CorelDraw, Xara Xtreme, etc... It makes it much easier.

If you use a paint program such as Photoshop, MSPaint, Paint Shop Pro, etc.. these graphics must be converted into vector graphics to make the CNC cut exact. If not the CNC may have some trouble following the lines. But it can be done with some work.

The best, and most compatible with the CNC is a drawing done with a CAD or CAM program. Like Autocad or TurboCad. The DXF graphics format is what my CNC software likes the most.

Hope that helps. Send me a pic and I'll let you know if I can do it.

scherubino · Post by **scherubino** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:02 pm

joevennix,

That is awesome. Good Luck. If you have the right tools, it makes the project go a lot smoother. Let me know if you need help.

sc1103 · Post by **sc1103** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:12 pm

I took the plunge too and bought the plans...my CAD teacher is going to finance the whole project + I get out of doing all the boring 3d modeling we've been doing. As soon as its done I'll be cutting out the sides for my portable hopefully

Thanks for the link!

scherubino · Post by **scherubino** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:24 pm

well done! Brilliant on getting someone to finance it for you. Good luck!

Post by **Skyone** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:33 pm

scherubino wrote:Yes, it's a regular old dremel. I may be upgrading to a RotoZip if I need more power.

I use a Pentium 4 computer to control it. I use Mach 3 software from Artsoft (which is amazing and free!)

Wow, convienent. When I bought a new computer, I left my 2GHz Pentium 4 to shame.

Who knows? Maybe I'll try it out to, being the software free, having tons of spare wood and parts, you've inspired me!

scherubino · Post by **scherubino** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:39 pm

go for it!

monkeymagic · Post by **monkeymagic** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:42 pm

http://www.kleinbauer.com/

www.cnczone.com also has a very useful forum

G-force · Post by **G-force** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 4:14 pm

That's killer man! You can really pump those things out now (as if you weren't already.)