Looking for CNC Mill Part I

[PanzyPoof]

Group hope you can point me in the right Direction here!!
Looking For>>>
Any first hand info on any CNC Mill (Hobby size) approx 12"x12" bed.
Also interested in a CNC router table as well!
Would Strongly consider second hand if it's a fair $$
Hmmm! BTW
After looking at some finished units pricing I'll strongly consider a kit.
Also yap away inregards to the software ya use,
And any heads Up you can think of.
thanks

[planeman]

I suggest you consider these folks.

http://www.microkinetics.com

Planeman

[TedLarson]

Heh.......Once you find one....I guess you will be the guy to email when I need some parts cut....

- Ted

[DICKEYBIRD]

Pic attached of my homebuilt machine. I use CompuFoil, TurboCAD and AceConverter for .dxf to G-Code conversion.

Porter Cable 23,000 rpm trim router with 1/16" or 1/8" 2 flute carbide bits, MaxNC 3 axis motion kit, modified Dan Mauch platform with drawer slide XYZ slides, 12"x12" worktable with vacuum hold-down, 1/4" foamboard sacrificial table cover.

WARNING....BE CAREFUL....WHOLE NEW HOBBY!

[DICKEYBIRD]

Here's some ribs that were cut out recently.

[PanzyPoof]

Ya DICKEYBIRD now were talking
Don't have to be so big or built like it'll cut
battleship plates! BTW you are a craftsman I see
But yes something in this ballpark.
Or are there good plans/kits that yeld a quality machine?
BTW if you don't mind how much did you invest

Thanks

planeman, Nice tools at the link you provided!
but I'd have to sell the Harley to afford one.

Ted, ya better talk to DickyBird he's all setup
and waiting for you.

[uscra112]

http://www.machinetoolcamp.com/

I just ordered and received his "engineering package" for $100. It shows you how to build a stepper-motor-driven 2 or 3 axis machine in real detail, including complete bills of material. He also sells the motors, drives, interface cards, and other key stuff, and tells you where there are sources for the generic stuff. I was in the machine tool business for years and COULD have done all this myself but why bother when he's done all the detail work for you? For example, you supply the computer, he tells you where to download software, and he sends you a file that matches the software to your particular drive systems and machine. That's no small matter.

[DICKEYBIRD]

Oops, I forgot to give you some links; the 1st one listed is really cool for guys like us....he even has a 4 axis motion kit to do the CNC foam cutter I'm lusting after.

http://www.hobbycnc.com/
http://plaza.powersurfr.com/deanc/
http://www.geocities.com/crankorgan/
http://www.stepperworld.com/
http://www.cnckits.com/
http://www.desktopcnc.com/index.htm

I built mine about 4 years ago for approx. $650.00. There's a lot more stuff available now and if you're a scrounger, you can probably build one now for less.

It was built from 3/4" ply so it's not really strong enough to cut out battleship parts but you do need enough size & mass to dampen the router vibes. We don' need no steenkin' wobbley cuts, now do we?

[Tree_Magnet]

hey dickeybird nice router did you build it from plans if so do you know where i can get a copy?
i cnc my compact 5 lathe/mill and it works will but i only have 2 inch of travel in the y direction. i am finishing up my cnc foam cutter and should have i running soon (in a month). i would like to do a router next.

thanks Tom

I HATE TREES

[Tree_Magnet]

panzypoof sell the harley and the kid

[LuckyArmpit]

Reminds me of my dad. He had a toolmaker's lathe and a bridgeport milling machine in his basement. Made all kinds of neat stuff.

Dave...

[PanzyPoof]

YO TreeDart can't you modify that puppy to a bigger table
Ya must know some dude that'll machine up a bigger bed for you for FREE
And then bring it over and leave it at my house so we can get some stuff cut.
You never have any Time.

[DICKEYBIRD]

Hi Tree_Magnet,

My machine was built by modifying the Dan Mauch circuit board drilling machine plan shown in the Dec. '94 issue of Nuts & Volts magazine. Dunno if the back issue is still available or not. Call 909-371-8497 or go to www.nutsvolts.com I think a more sturdy machine could be built using the plans offerred by Dave Rigotti or Mr. Kleinbauer in the 1st and 3rd links shown in my earlier post.

[PanzyPoof]

DICKEYBIRD thanks for the links
I've ordered a set of plans from
Mr Kleinbauer I like his playing field KISS no BS.
TreeStump is gonna help and were most likely build 2 @ once.
Just picked up some stepper motors 8of em
threw shaft design $5 ea

[DICKEYBIRD]

You probably ought to join this discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/messages They are a great group that has some very knowledgable people available to answer questions.

Where'd you get the great deal on the stepper motors?