craynerd
24-03-2012, 09:19 AM
I`ve been wanting a little CNC machine for the last couple of years, not specifically for anything, just to learn more about it really. All the work I currently do on my projects (www.raynerd.co.uk (http://www.raynerd.co.uk)) are on my manual machines.
Despite the constant advice to just go for it and but the bits starting from acratch, I just don`t dare and any machine more complete than this is to expensive, as is buying a bench mill and converting. So this is a cnc build based on confidence and available funds.
I started with a TEP cnc mill which I paid very little for. These are a sturdy machine and quite well made...just a dreadful design and dreadful software which is locked onto the driver hardware!!
I was lucky enough to get hold of the original TEP software from a local chap that has converted one of these (isn`t available from anywhere!!) and it was dreadful. Imagine MSWindows Paint, no numberical input (so no saying I want a 20mm line, 10mm from the origin!!, just simple drag and click stuff!!) Then from that, tell the machine to move.
Here is the machine in its original state:
http://www.raynerd.co.uk/images/tepcnc.jpg
http://www.raynerd.co.uk/images/tepcnc1.jpg
Very very bizzare design and many machine limitations:
Cons:
In my opinion the x axis should be mounted so the slides are vertical parallel, not horizontal.
No z axis, it is just a solanoid motor to raise and lower the spindle to a fixed level.
All hardware is locked so commands can only be sent from the PC interfaced by the TEP software - it won`t talk to Mach or EMC
Stepper motors are only about 50Ncm
Both axis are fixed off centre to allow space at the back for the electronics
Only 12v 5A supply.
Pros:
I had a working CNC machine as a basis/start.
If all else failed, I strip it down and the ally plate on it is worth more than the price I`d payed for the machine ! :D
In truth, there is little going for this other than having a solid working basis to start from....
Despite the constant advice to just go for it and but the bits starting from acratch, I just don`t dare and any machine more complete than this is to expensive, as is buying a bench mill and converting. So this is a cnc build based on confidence and available funds.
I started with a TEP cnc mill which I paid very little for. These are a sturdy machine and quite well made...just a dreadful design and dreadful software which is locked onto the driver hardware!!
I was lucky enough to get hold of the original TEP software from a local chap that has converted one of these (isn`t available from anywhere!!) and it was dreadful. Imagine MSWindows Paint, no numberical input (so no saying I want a 20mm line, 10mm from the origin!!, just simple drag and click stuff!!) Then from that, tell the machine to move.
Here is the machine in its original state:
http://www.raynerd.co.uk/images/tepcnc.jpg
http://www.raynerd.co.uk/images/tepcnc1.jpg
Very very bizzare design and many machine limitations:
Cons:
In my opinion the x axis should be mounted so the slides are vertical parallel, not horizontal.
No z axis, it is just a solanoid motor to raise and lower the spindle to a fixed level.
All hardware is locked so commands can only be sent from the PC interfaced by the TEP software - it won`t talk to Mach or EMC
Stepper motors are only about 50Ncm
Both axis are fixed off centre to allow space at the back for the electronics
Only 12v 5A supply.
Pros:
I had a working CNC machine as a basis/start.
If all else failed, I strip it down and the ally plate on it is worth more than the price I`d payed for the machine ! :D
In truth, there is little going for this other than having a solid working basis to start from....