Detailed plans needed for wood CNC machine

[woodspiral]

If you continue and don't put in the ground work then I guarantee you you'll fall foul and be contacting some one within time.!!

I was hoping that a set of instructions would exist for download or purchase that would describe in detail all the groundwork and pitfalls of the process.

Doesn't matter if you buy a Kit or build DIY your going to have to deal with getting the Rails parallel and on the same Plane. If your not prepared to do this then I suggest you just buy a Machine ready built because there are no kits that will bolt together(or weld) and ensure the rails are parallel and on same Plane.

I am prepared to build the machine, because I think I can end up with a better quality machine which I will fully understand and be able to maintain. I don't want to go the Ebay/secondhand route for a fully built machine as it will increase the cost for me and also will not learn as much in the process. I'm happy to spend time researching, designing and constructing, but since my time is rather limited I want to spend this time on a machine that is ready for light commercial use, with the cutting envelope size as described above. I don't really have time to make a small prototype. At the other end of the scale, I'm not so much in a desperate hurry that I need to rush out and buy a machine.

Aligning and getting rails aligned etc isn't difficult has it first appears and there are a few tricks which can be employed like having an adjustable top rail which gets shimmed or using epoxy resin. Because your only cutting wood then the tolerances are relatively low so it's quite easy and quick to get rails close enough just using shims.

Yes I watched a YouTube video about this, it seems fairly straightforward given time and some modest equipment.

Now regards the CNC router parts machine then yes they work but they have there issues which don't get mentioned so much, like the rails clogging bearings and sticking Etc.!! . . . I certainly wouldn't call it commercial spec and not even Heavy duty DIY.! . . . . A much better machine with far more robust components can be built for less money.

This is an extremely interesting observation. Firstly about quality and secondly about the cost. Again, I am motivated for getting the best from the investment and time and money. So given all the advice so far (if you guys are to be believed!) then it seems to make sense to start a build thread here, start researching and start designing. I can post my progress and invite people to give me some feedback.

Regards Components then be careful when reading sites like Cnc cookbook because they are quite heavily Mill orientated and while routers use the same Kind of components the sizes and speeds they run at are much higher so are very different specs. Then you have other things to consider like best Linear motion for the Job, IE Ballscrews or Rack & pinion which again are very different spec to mills and critical to good performing machines.

I meant the CNC Cookbook book by Edward Hess, not a website. The cnccookbook website seems to be maintained by a guy called Bob Warfield and therefore not related to the book.

It's actually here where new users most commonly fall foul and buy the wrong parts for the job which leads to at best an under performing machine or worst one not fit for purpose. Next is weak design and trying to cut corners.!!

I'll most likely design and build this in stages, so I can get feedback about choices before it's too late to correct.

So IMO given your Brief of Commercial duty and Low Budget then your only option is to self build but PLEASE PLEASE LISTEN and do the home work on the forum because if not then you'll waste valuable time and Money.! Good luck.

Noted! Thanks very much!
Woodspiral.