First steel diy CNC router build

[routercnc]

ivars211

I'm not knowledgeable enough on the electronics side to recommend anything but this is a popular digital driver for background reading:
AM882 Digital microstepping driver with stall detect

On the mechanical side I would second the twin ballscrew what you are calling the "Y" axis. I used to cut aluminium on a single ballscrew machine with a gantry of around 650mm. You could see the legs of the gantry moving back and forth since the gantry restraint was only in the centre. This effected the cut accuracy which if aluminium is your main material then it will not be sufficient. It is more money, so you can build single now if you like but be prepared to upgrade and build in the holes etc for a twin ballscrew so it is easy to upgrade.

On the "X" axis plate (to which the Z supported rail is bolted to) this needs to be re-arranged at the bottom where it interfaces with the horziontal small plate which connects to the bearing carraige. You have managed to 'trap' the "X" axis plate between the upper and lower bearings which you will have to cut slightly undersize and then shim out etc. Better to grow the "X" axis plate down a bit, and cut back the small plate, then bolt horizontally. Using oversize holes you can tighten these bolts up once everything is set and know that the bearing load is where you want it. Hope this makes sense.

The gantry crossrails are a bit on the small side with 2off 50mm box sections, and no connection between them. I think this will cut OK but surface finish is very sensitive to vibration and I would personally beef up the rails considerably if aluminium is your main cutting material.

Oh, and welcome to the club . . .