MDF CNC Router plans / parts for home build beginners

[irving2008]

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.

And with XP SP2 going out of support now and Windows7 SP1 due soon, there will be a lot of ex-corporate desktops coming available in the next year, perfect for EMC2/Linux or MACH3/XP...

[Ross77]

I finally took the plunge and went for a system 4 and also got the spindle board (but thats for later). I justified the cost to myself with the good reports I read on here, and the help thats available from Roy. Also this will be OK when I move on to bigger and better things much later

I would agree that getting good drivers to start with is a good plan, and defiantly don't get bogged down with building some for a first machine (been there tried that). There is too much to do and just having smoother steeper drives really transformed my x-y table.
I got the 4.2amp with micro stepping from Gary(£115 for 3 i think) There also optically isolated so I didn't bother with a BOB. cut one plug of a printer lead and hard wired it :whistling:

Like Shaun I justified the cost as A; they can be used on the next machine or B; used on more than one if the same motors and settings are used.

[irving2008]

Thats going to limit you to motors with around 1Nm of torque, which motors did you have in mind? there are some NEMA23 motors that will fit the bill at 1.4A capability.

I dont know what you plan with the slides, but you need to focus on keeping the friction low if you are using small motors..

[HiltonSteve]

Thats going to limit you to motors with around 1Nm of torque, which motors did you have in mind? there are some NEMA23 motors that will fit the bill at 1.4A capability.

I dont know what you plan with the slides, but you need to focus on keeping the friction low if you are using small motors..

I hear what you are saying about the linear slides which is why I want to try a few different idea's using the engineering plastic for the linear bearings and silver steel as guide rails, lets just see how I get on!

The reason for using the controller together with 17Nm motors is because I have seen it working on a small machine with very good results, have a look at the image below.

If anyone is interested then I know where you can buy these machines fully assembled and ready to go, cost price £450. All you will need is a stepper controller as per the one I have listed above and you will be away. They are also made in the UK.

Before you ask I do not have any technical info on the machines but if anyone is interested then PM me and I will pass your details on.

[irving2008]

Is that one of the Marchant Dice ones?

[HiltonSteve]

Is that one of the Marchant Dice ones?

No!

Designed and made in Derby, and not by me or John before you ask!

[michael]

No!

Designed and made in Derby, and not by me or John before you ask!

Have I been gone that long everyone thinks i'm dead??? John, Steve, Lee????

[irving2008]

Have I been gone that long everyone thinks i'm dead??? John, Steve, Lee????

I hear knocking... Is there someone there???

welcome back... it seems a while... lol

[John S]

Yup.............

.

[michael]

Is that one of the Marchant Dice ones?

Cheeky b*stard. No it is not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!