CNC Design and advice

[GeorgeD]

As to the steel frame, its massive overkill for a first tryout machine.

I don't understand the logicinthat statement,Iriving.

I'm assuming you're stating.....build it in MDF then find out the pitfalls and gather some experience from the MDF build then apply it to a more sturdy material in the future?

Isn't that a more expensive way of looking at it than doing it in a more sturdy material from the start? I myself looked and thought about the material I was going to use first,MDF didn't even get a look in and so it was either Perspex,Aluminium or MS box section.

Perspex was not suitable so that left Ally or MS,Ally was far too expensive on a budget so MS was the deciding material for me.

[irving2008]

I don't understand the logicinthat statement,Iriving.

I'm assuming you're stating.....build it in MDF then find out the pitfalls and gather some experience from the MDF build then apply it to a more sturdy material in the future?

Isn't that a more expensive way of looking at it than doing it in a more sturdy material from the start? I myself looked and thought about the material I was going to use first,MDF didn't even get a look in and so it was either Perspex,Aluminium or MS box section.

Perspex was not suitable so that left Ally or MS,Ally was far too expensive on a budget so MS was the deciding material for me.

George, you're missing the point... he's already got small motors, and the overall size of that machine is maybe 400 x 400mm. Its too small to justify/need a steel construction and MDF will be quite sturdy enough for his needs of PCB milling/drilling. Plus to do a steel frame needs much more complex equipment than MDF and MP already discussed with me elsewhere about the difficulty of accurately cutting MDF with the tools to hand so I am making a fair assumption that steel is beyond his capabilities right now. Unlike you George it would appear MP isnt in a position to go out an buy a lathe, welder, etc. as you did, so lets get him up and running as simply as possible.... so lets get this back on topic as regards MPs design for an MDF-based machine OK?