Hi

Thanks all for replies.


I'm not sure at all now what to do about the base. I really wanted to use a panel of some sort as I have access to panels and tools to work with wood, mdf etc. A panel could be made very rigid with bracing. My working size of 1,100 x 700 isn't huge I didn't think, and my spindle would be 3Kw max. I'll probably have to use some wood or mdf, plywood etc in the Y axis gantry and elsewhere as I don't think I'll be able to get machined aluminum or steel parts for everything. So I don't think I can achieve the nirvana of a shiny all chrome machine and so I was thinking I could compromise on the base a bit!

I'm still thinking about the inclined version. It was strange at first to consider but it does seem quite good alright. Like a vertical panel saw which you might see in the big hardware stores. Have people noticed any problems with vertical CNCs? All backlash might be taken up by gravity in one direction, and doubled in the opposite direction.


My general spec for the overall CNC is...

used for routing softwoods primarily, and mdf.

X Axis
20mm or 25mm supported rails, with the bearing blocks spaced apart by about 375mm between the outside edges,.. rail length 1,500mm, working length = approx 1,100
two 16mm ballscrews with two 3.1Nm motors directly coupled, both motors slaved electronically or through software rather than with a mechanical timing belt. OR perhaps one 20mm or 25mm ballscrew for the X axis but I prefer two.


Y Axis (700mm working length so 950mm long maybe?) probably made with a few aluminum profiles, 60 x 30s as they has the correct hole spacing for 20mm supported rods, 16mm ballscrew, 3.1Nm motor directly coupled to the ballscrew. The gantry itself could be a combination of aluminum and wood, mdf etc.

standard enough Z axis.


Nema 23 motors, 3.1Nm, directly coupled to the ballscrews.
AM882 stepper drivers with other high quality boards as appropriate,.. probably home made power supply if I can find good instructions.
Limit and home switches on all axises.
cable management system
ad hoc clamp system for workpiece hold down to start.
Emergency stop buttons.
Perspex glazing in wood frame.


I was originally thinking of using a high quality 1/2" wood router, like a Makita or a DeWalt, with motor load control and electronic speed control. Now I'm thinking of using a specialist CNC spindle, but only if it can be had for about £300 to £350 tops or thereabouts. If I had a specialist spindle I suppose I'd be expecting to have motor speed control in the software or else there's not much advantage over a woodwork router unless it was cheaper or better in some way.


I've been looking at loads of designs. IF I search for DIY CNC in google and click on image you are shown hundreds of different designs. It's very hard to make decisions as there's so many competing ways to do things. Total budget perhaps £2,000 which I think should cover it.


I've started some drawings but it's so hard to draw the whole machine. Not that I've got much further than the base! It is 3d of course though.

Cheers