Quote Originally Posted by Sam0117 View Post
What a great write up an very detailed so thank you Neale

I’m 100% for making a cnc out of steel, I’m currently designing my cnc an will be uploading it for judgment hopefully soon, I must say you welds did make me laugh but fair play for doing it as a beginner, I’ve taken a lot from your details and will apply them to my design.

Have you tried cutting any hard materials yet or just wood for now?
All I can say is that my welding was a little better at the end than at the beginning! Well, at least, not quite as bad If it encourages other people to have a go, I have been successful. Two weeks experience with a welder is not the same as a long training course and years of experience. But you can still do it!

Yes, I have done a very little cutting in aluminium. However, it was one very small component and although I managed to cut it, I didn't have any way of clearing the chips properly, I didn't use any lubrication, I used a small cutter with four flutes, and the cutter broke towards the end of the cut. This was probably because the flutes became clogged. This was not a good test of the machine because all the problems came from choice of cutter and other issues which were nothing to do with the machine. I want to try cutting aluminium properly, with correct speeds, feeds, and cutter choice, and maybe some lubrication this time! But I have too many projects in wood at the moment so haven't had time to try much else. I think that the machine should be capable of reasonable performance in aluminium, so I am still optimistic until proven otherwise!