Does anyone want to build me a cnc router?

Hi all.
i am a newbie to the sit and to the world of cnc routers.
i want to design and make my own house numbers house signs from cement/concrete, and i need to design moulds to take a silicone mould from. so i was thinking if i could get to know how to use one of these amazing toys then i may have found what i am looking for.
if you can visualise the typical house sign, it is usually engraved into slate or wood or stone with the appearance of it being carved out. this is the finish i am looking for.
not planning on anything big in size, but if the cost of a build to the next size up from 3040 is minimal then that is something to consider.
so anyway i just wondered if anyone in this forum would like to help me and take on the job of making me a router that will do the job?

Anyone interested i would love to here your thoughts.
Thanks for now
Peter

Where are you Peter?

Hi Peter forget those Chinese machines for what you want to do as you need a machine with a good dust extraction hood. I'm guessing your going to want to make the masters out of something like dental plaster so that's going to make lots of dust.

It might be a good idea to say were about your from in the UK so as members local to you might be able to help. As for the mould what about using latex as silicone is very expensive unless your going to make 1000's

Mike :)

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Originally Posted by longy

It might be a good idea to say were about your from in the UK so as members local to you might be able to help.

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It used to say under the member's ID where they come from. Recently an option was changed in the forum software so you rather inconveniently have to move your mouse over the flag to see that he's in Norwich:

Attachment 11912

Northwich ??

If you fancy a drive over to sheffield Peter I can show you what I made that will certainly do what you need

Ian

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Originally Posted by Jonathan

It used to say under the member's ID where they come from. Recently an option was changed in the forum software so you rather inconveniently have to move your mouse over the flag to see that he's in Norwich:

Attachment 11912

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Thanks Jonathan, least I will know now.
Mike :applause:

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Originally Posted by IanParkin

Where are you Peter?

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Hi Ian
i am in Northwich Cheshire,

but dont mind travelling at all

cheers

peter

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Originally Posted by longy

Hi Peter forget those Chinese machines for what you want to do as you need a machine with a good dust extraction hood. I'm guessing your going to want to make the masters out of something like dental plaster so that's going to make lots of dust.

It might be a good idea to say were about your from in the UK so as members local to you might be able to help. As for the mould what about using latex as silicone is very expensive unless your going to make 1000's

Mike :)

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Hi Mike thanks for the reply. I am in Northwich Cheshire. I will find some photos of the silicon rubber i will be using, but basically it will take a mould from anything, so i was thinking of using either mdf plywood or even plastic sheet for the routeing process.

put on photos asap.

peter

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Originally Posted by IanParkin

Where are you Peter?

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Hi Ian

Thanks for the reply, i am in Northwich Cheshire

Peter

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Originally Posted by totally useless

Hi Mike thanks for the reply. I am in Northwich Cheshire. I will find some photos of the silicon rubber i will be using, but basically it will take a mould from anything, so i was thinking of using either mdf plywood or even plastic sheet for the routeing process.

put on photos asap.

peter

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Hi Peter, I was using silicone moulds 30+yrs back when I had a precast concrete business and it was 10x's the cost of latex then but think the prices are better now. Personally I would go with the Dental plaster it's good as you can fill, sand and reshape as you wish and yes you can use silicone or latex for the moulds. The mdf would need a lot of finishing for mould masters, plastics that I don't know as I have yet to find out how good a finish a cnc will make on plastics.
Mike :)

Hi Peter,

The problem is how much was you thinking to spend.? 3040 or even 6040 Money makes it nearly impossible for anybody to compete. That doesn't mean you should buy 3040 because they are poor in many ways and I think you'd regret buying one in long run.
It's easy enough to build a much much better machine your self for not a lot more money but I don't think you'll get anyone to Make you one for Same Money as 6040 or even DIY unless they are working for free.

How much was you looking to spend.?

Hi Mike

Thanks again for the input, i am not 100 decided on what type of method i will be using for the mould, i just saw a company called "smooth on " on you tube and they seemed to have mould kits for almost any situation, but i am open to any suggestions, and i will certainly be looking at dental plaster. {did you suggest this to be used in the cnc router?} just wondering about the sealing and release agent with the plaster?
anyway the 2 images below are typically the results i am looking for and any advice in achieving this would be very welcome.

thanks

peter

Attachment 11914
Attachment 11915

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Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Hi Peter,

The problem is how much was you thinking to spend.? 3040 or even 6040 Money makes it nearly impossible for anybody to compete. That doesn't mean you should buy 3040 because they are poor in many ways and I think you'd regret buying one in long run.
It's easy enough to build a much much better machine your self for not a lot more money but I don't think you'll get anyone to Make you one for Same Money as 6040 or even DIY unless they are working for free.

How much was you looking to spend.?

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Hi jazz
thanks for your input, i was hoping to be able to spend around £1000 - £1250. i have never built one before and i am not particularly electronically minded ...do they come with layman instructions to build your own? are you talking about a self build kit? or purchasing individual parts from various businesses? So i gather the Chinese kits on ebay are a no no? can you recommend any uk based kit or ready made routers?

your input is warmly appreciated.

peter

That easy done using V-Carve Pro with a good cnc router, dental plaster will get you a good finish for moulding. Latex does not need a release agent and can be brushed directly on to the master or dipped, I've used both and got good results just remember damage latex it only fit for the bin. Silicone can be repaired but you need to seal the master and use release agents.

Jazz raised a good point how much do you want to spend ? Read the build logs and take the honest advice these guys will give, it will save you lots of wasted money in buying the wrong parts or machine. (speaking from experience here) just wish I had found this forum before wasting my money.
Mike :)

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Originally Posted by totally useless

So i gather the Chinese kits on ebay are a no no? can you recommend any uk based kit or ready made routers?

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Well in all Honesty No they are Ok for learning and getting your feet wet with CNC.!! But if you want longevity and decent quality work for prolonged periods then they do fall short. The Electronics are the worst area which is important for a good CNC machine.

To be honest if you haven't got the means to build your own then I suggest you look for a Second hand 6040 spending the least you can. Then just use it untill you have saved some more money. While in the mean time you'll have a better understanding of CNC and what you want from a machine then look at building your own or had time to make the 6040 earn enough so it pays for a new better machine.

Forget Kit's as most I've seen are weak and flimsy being nothing more than get your feet wet toys.!!

If I wasn't so busy I'd offer to help you build a machine but unfortunatly I've no time free for a long time.!

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Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Well in all Honesty No they are Ok for learning and getting your feet wet with CNC.!! But if you want longevity and decent quality work for prolonged periods then they do fall short. The Electronics are the worst area which is important for a good CNC machine.

To be honest if you haven't got the means to build your own then I suggest you look for a Second hand 6040 spending the least you can. Then just use it untill you have saved some more money. While in the mean time you'll have a better understanding of CNC and what you want from a machine then look at building your own or had time to make the 6040 earn enough so it pays for a new better machine.

Forget Kit's as most I've seen are weak and flimsy being nothing more than get your feet wet toys.!!

If I wasn't so busy I'd offer to help you build a machine but unfortunatly I've no time free for a long time.!

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once again jazz,
thanks for your reply. what sort of money would you guess would buy me a cnc router that would be good enough?
thanks
peter

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Originally Posted by totally useless

once again jazz,
thanks for your reply. what sort of money would you guess would buy me a cnc router that would be good enough?
thanks
peter

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Well very hard to answer that because there are many variables. If your talking about buying a Machine in the 6040 size then your into 2K+ for anything like decent quality.
If on the other hand your going to try building your own then 2K will get you a Very Very nice machine that would be 3-4K if you bought it from a company.
Your original budget of £1250 would build a very capable small machine with some careful purchasing.

If you have some tools and mechanical knowledge then it's not difficult building a machine, the electronics are not difficult and with some hand holding they are easily do-able for even those with limited knowledge.
I will gladly help you regards info on what to buy and where, which is often the hard part for new builders. IF you do fancy having a crack then I'll give you my phone number so you have someone to turn too for advise. I've done this for many people and helped people with absolutley no knowledge of electrics build very nice CNC machines.

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Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Well in all Honesty No they are Ok for learning and getting your feet wet with CNC.!! But if you want longevity and decent quality work for prolonged periods then they do fall short. The Electronics are the worst area which is important for a good CNC machine.

To be honest if you haven't got the means to build your own then I suggest you look for a Second hand 6040 spending the least you can. Then just use it untill you have saved some more money. While in the mean time you'll have a better understanding of CNC and what you want from a machine then look at building your own or had time to make the 6040 earn enough so it pays for a new better machine.

Forget Kit's as most I've seen are weak and flimsy being nothing more than get your feet wet toys.!!

If I wasn't so busy I'd offer to help you build a machine but unfortunatly I've no time free for a long time.!

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Thanks again jazz, i totally understand you or anyone else being too busy, i myself are stretched for time, but your input so far is already helping, i will be having a trawl through the site this weekend {with the wife's blessing} and i am sure i will come across lots of helpful info to help me along.

cheeers again

peter

Hi Mike,

Thanks again for your comments, i will take your advice and have a good look through the build logs this coming weekend. I am sure i will pick up lots of great useful info to help me on my way. Dental plaster does sound very interesting Mike, never heard of it before but i will definitely ordering some to have a look for myself.

Regards

peter :acne:

Are most of the moulds only used once.

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Originally Posted by george uk

Are most of the moulds only used once.

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Not what i want, i want to reuse the moulds multiple times, but i will seal them Thanks for your reply.

Hi,

My son trained as a goldsmith and he made his prototypes from hard carving wax and then sent them off to Birmingham to have vulcanised rubber moulds made. My thought is that wax would solve the dust problem and if it is messed up or just not right, then you can just recast the slab and redo it. Also, if that is all you are carving on the machine it could be quite lightweight, but I still would not advocate Chinese.
Marchant Dice make lightweight machines that might be suitable for wax :whistle:
.
I recall that wax was advocated to make CNC trial pieces, but nobody seems to do that now, probably because CAD is used more.
.
Just my two pennuth.

Cheers,
Rob

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Originally Posted by cropwell

Hi,

My son trained as a goldsmith and he made his prototypes from hard carving wax and then sent them off to Birmingham to have vulcanised rubber moulds made. My thought is that wax would solve the dust problem and if it is messed up or just not right, then you can just recast the slab and redo it. Also, if that is all you are carving on the machine it could be quite lightweight, but I still would not advocate Chinese.
Marchant Dice make lightweight machines that might be suitable for wax :whistle:
.
I recall that wax was advocated to make CNC trial pieces, but nobody seems to do that now, probably because CAD is used more.
.
Just my two pennuth.

Cheers,
Rob

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Hi Rob.

Thanks for your two pennuth, it was very useful. i will definitely have a look at that method of carving, sounds very interesting.

again thanks for your input.
have a good bank holiday

peter

Hi Peter,
I am a little bit puzzled as to how you plan to use the moulds again. As the images of the signs you wish to make are (in the second image ) a 'one off' design so unless you can make the number part of the sign changeable then a mould is just extra work to on avail.
So unless I have missed some point, I think it needs a rethink! Perhaps you should think of just doing unique signs, after all you will be doing them just to make a mould.

Peter

Peter, wax lettering for concrete casting ! there used to be a firm somewhere in Cheshire that made wax letters / numbers for concrete and plaster casting you just stick them to your base mould and cast after casting the letters are scraped washed out with hot water. that might be a cheaper way to do custom castings.

A small cnc desktop machine would be ok to make masters moulds in silicone so you could cast your own letters / numbers. Been more than 20 years since I sold my precast concrete business and totally forgot about the wax letters until I read Robs post.
Mike :topsy_turvy:

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Originally Posted by longy

Peter, wax lettering for concrete casting ! there used to be a firm somewhere in Cheshire that made wax letters / numbers for concrete and plaster casting you just stick them to your base mould and cast after casting the letters are scraped washed out with hot water. that might be a cheaper way to do custom castings.

A small cnc desktop machine would be ok to make masters moulds in silicone so you could cast your own letters / numbers. Been more than 20 years since I sold my precast concrete business and totally forgot about the wax letters until I read Robs post.
Mike :topsy_turvy:

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Hi Mike,

now that sounds great, {if they are cheap enough} although i was looking forward to having a play with a new toy{cnc} i can see that the wax option is a good one, can you recall how small in size you could go with your letters / numbers?
anyhow thanks Mike, i will google search for that company today. i have found metal reverse cast letters used by foundry's but they are to time consuming to set up.

peter :]

Have you got a machine yet Peter.?

hi jazzcnc

not yet mate, still looking, i would have bought one by now but the advise i here is to stay clear of anything Chinese so it has been hard to find

cheers pete

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Originally Posted by totally useless

hi jazzcnc

not yet mate, still looking, i would have bought one by now but the advise i here is to stay clear of anything Chinese so it has been hard to find

cheers pete

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What cutting area would you want.? . . . . I have a friend who's thinking about a larger machine so he may just sell is old machine, it's one I built him so know it's good and well looked after.

Edit: You have my number so give me a ring if you want to know more.!

Hi jazzcnc if petes not intrested in your friends machine I might be in im in the same boat as pete was considering a 6040 butl now looking for a selfbulid
thanks dave k

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Originally Posted by davejk

Hi jazzcnc if petes not intrested in your friends machine I might be in im in the same boat as pete was considering a 6040 butl now looking for a selfbulid
thanks dave k

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Ok I'll PM you my number.