Quote Originally Posted by hoppo View Post

So onto the CNC router project that I have started for myself, I thought that I would tackle it in a similar way. So my plan is to use aluminium profile for the frame, and ballscrews or trapezoidal lead screws to drive the linear motion, with supported steel rods and linear bearings. Add some stepper motors and required drivers get some software and hopefully off I go! I was thinking that a good size would be 1000 mm x 600 mm x 300 mm, which would adequately cover all the needs that I currently envisage that I would have for the machine. Do you think this may be a little ambitious for a first project? Additionally any views on buying parts from China? I have seen a lots of relatively cheap kit that is available on eBay that would bring my project price down considerably. Or are the parts inferior quality? Or would they be okay for a first build?

Apologies for the questions but I have a lot going on in my head and feel this is the ideal place to ask them!

Cheers,

Hoppo.
First hello Hoppo,

Your on the right lines with using supported rails good choice.
The size is ok and not to ambitious but depending on the work involved then I'd reconsider the 300 Z axis.? It's a little on the long side for any kind of hard-ish work, 200mm is a better size and addiquite for most work.

Regards the chinese stuff then for things like like ballscrews and supported rails etc then yes they are great but be very careful regards the electronics, drives etc personally I'd buy the drives here in UK from Zapp or the likes.
Chai at linear motionbearings on ebay is the guy for all your ballscrews and rails,cable chain etc and can fully vouch for him great guy 110% trust worthy.

Tip would be don't buy the motors,drives,PSU etc untill you have at least designed and settled on the components for the frame. Don't try cutting corners with electronics it's false economy and just leads to frustrations.

Keep asking the questions and resist the urge to buy untill you fully know it's the right way to go or whats best for your intended purpose.

Good luck.