MDF CNC Router plans / parts for home build beginners

**HiltonSteve** · 21-05-2010

Sorry John, been a bit busy this week and not had chance to call in. I did pick up a packet of Hobnobs but ate them on the way to Anglesey yesterday. Don't worry though, Tesco's have plenty more...

Had a good chat with John today on the phone about this project and as usual he has come up with quite few interesting idea's, mainly to help keep the cost down and still produce a reasonable quality machine. I will be looking into these a bit more over the next week before I go any further with the design as sourcing the right components at the right price can sometimes be a pain in the arse, but I am on it...

Wobbly, I hear what you are saying regarding the cost of the drivers and we may be able to come up with another option to reduce the price. They may not have all features or be of the same quality as the ones which you can get from Zapp or DIYCNC but they may work well as a starting point. Not promising anything at this stage but watch this space...

Just off down to B & Q to do a bit of component sourcing.

Quick question - what size bed / work area do you think would be acceptable, I was thinking that a bed of 400 x 300 would be ok but I am open to suggestions. We don't want to go too big though as that could create more problems and start pushing the price up.

**Wobblybootie** · 21-05-2010

Originally Posted by HiltonSteve

Wobbly, I hear what you are saying regarding the cost of the drivers and we may be able to come up with another option to reduce the price. They may not have all features or be of the same quality as the ones which you can get from Zapp or DIYCNC but they may work well as a starting point. Not promising anything at this stage but watch this space...

I do not want to sound ungrateful because I am not,

I have the plans for a 1200 X 800 Gantry style machine and a 4' X 2' surface table to use as a base. I am not aiming to follow the plans to the letter and I may have to revise my own strategy. So I am open to all ideas, I know I have to walk (hobble) before I can run.

I appear to have interest in a product I could put together and I cannot afford to ignore the chance of income.

You can be sure of one thing ... I shall be following this thread closely and will make use of any and all the developments I can.

**irving2008** · 21-05-2010

How about making it modular in structure so it can be expanded say over the range, say, 400/600/800/1000 x 300/450/600/750. If it is rigid enough as a 1000x750 design it can be scaled as needed.

**John S** · 21-05-2010

Hang on , am I missing something here ?
Steve was on about doing a MDF starter machine so we are talking about simple slides and build and now people are throwing 1200 x 800 into the plot.

so MDF, drawer slides, simple 24 volt drivers at 1/2 stepping onto M12 screwed rod running 1200 x 800 or similar size for three pounds seventeen and sixpence.

Oh nearly forgot, it must be capable of 6 metres per minute cutting.

.

**Wobblybootie** · 22-05-2010

John, Just because I said I was looking at a 1200 X 800 machine does not mean I am dismissing Steve's efforts. MDF I have, Threaded rod I have, so I can see no reason why I cannot follow his plan and learn from those who know what they are talking about!! In the meantime I can gather together the items for the larger machine.

I am looking at this (CNC) as a means to an end and not just a hobby. For years I have been unable to contribute anything but my War Pension to the household but with the help of an organisation called Combat Stress I have started to become somebody again. I cannot and will not ignore the possibility of making my family some extra income however small

With that said, Steve, crack on!! Whatever knowledge and experience I can gain from your hard work will be put to good use.

I shall now retire to my Sanger and put on my Flak Jacket and tin lid!!

**HiltonSteve** · 22-05-2010

Making the design scalable may or may not be an option, depends what happens with the linear slides and what they end up being constructed from but I will know more next week.

As for the stepper controller, would there be any interest in a handheld controller that took away the need for a PC?

This is the initial description - The handheld controller will read from a USB memory stick and execute NC files with no need for a PC at all (however currently a PC is required to edit the pin config / steps per unit etc file which is then uploaded to the device using a memory stick) only a problem if you don't have a PC!!!!. It will also allow manual data entry via an inductive keypad and jogging of the machine. It uses a 3.5" colour TFT screen and is designed to plug into a 25 pin break out board. It uses a 100Mhz processor for stepper timing which should be more than enough.

I have already seen a prototype which works very well.

Estimated price - £200-£250

It will look something like the attached image.

**John S** · 22-05-2010

Originally Posted by HiltonSteve

[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]which is then uploaded to the device using a memory stick) only a problem if you don't have a PC!!!!.

How the fook are you reading this then ?

**irving2008** · 22-05-2010

Its a nice idea Steve, but if this is CNC for beginners then my 2p is that this complicates things - the device you show is still only a controller, you still need the stepper drivers, and I would argue most who are interested in building a CNC machine have access to a PC.

I think concentrating the electronics side on either sourcing a cheap driver set or, complementing the intent of the design, a cheap, easy to build, set of drivers would be better value. There is a wealth of knowledge about EMC and MACH3 and, esp in the case of EMC, there are a lot of cheap PC available to run the free software. Indeed, for real low cost, EMC2 (free) on a PC sourced from eBay has got to be a better option - there's a good selection of P3 and P4 systems which would run EMC available for <£100 and some as low as £30.

**Wobblybootie** · 22-05-2010

Steve, I know it would involve more work by yourself and those who could assist you but why not offer both the Pendant and the EMC2 options. Let the folks choose.

I for one like the idea of the Pendant (I am thinking of the dust problem which would not be so much of a worry for those who will be machining metals etc.) It may not be something I can implement straight off but to have the option would be great.

**John S** · 22-05-2010

Originally Posted by irving2008

there's a good selection of P3 and P4 systems which would run EMC available for <£100 and some as low as £30.

Agreed you only need to look around.

I just bought a stack of these for an average price of £38 and these were complete systems with TFT monitors and a licensed copy of XP

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170476010886

That's cheaper than a copy of XP. Nice thing was they were only 15 miles away so well worth the trip to collect and save shipping.