Hi from Ireland. I am new to CNC.

**JAZZCNC** · 17-01-2016

Originally Posted by Enrico

I am seriously thinking of building my own. If JAZZCNC is reading, I would really appreciate your input. I could design my new machine from scratch, but it seems to me that everyone is kind of duplicating efforts. Do you think there's a basic (strong, steel-framed) design that could be used as the basis for designing an industrial-quality DIY machine?

I Seriously encourage you to build, you have learnt and paid the price of learning so go for it.!
Design wise then there you are correct in that there are many duplicates, mostly because there's only so many ways to do this.! But also because there a some designs with features that suit better than others.

Designs with frames with high sides which raise the rails and then sit Gantry directly onto the bearings are stronger than machines which use low frames with taller gantry sides. These take more work to build the frames but give wider cutting range of materials. But if the Machine is mostly used for wood cutting then Low frames with Taller gantry sides work perfectly fine.

Both designs have there purpose and each works well if correctly matched to application.

My suggestion is look around the Forum and see the difference. Then start a build thread stating your goals and requirements along with an idea for design. Then we'll come along steer you if looking wrong or suggest better.

Good luck and feel free to ask questions no matter how daft. If your on the shy side then feel free to PM me directly, that goes for anyone else reading this.!

**Enrico** · 17-01-2016

Thank you JazzCNC for your words of encouragement! Very much appreciated!

I will certainly follow your advice and try to come up with a design to start the process... sounds like a good plan already! I will try and limit the daft questions to a minimum, but there are bound to be some ;-) ... in fact, I am going to start with one already: should I opt for a steel or aluminium frame? Aluminium would be lighter, but perhaps more expensive? Also, I can weld steel but not aluminium ... what would you suggest? This is a basic question for me, as it will steer my design in a specific initial direction. Thank you again!

**JAZZCNC** · 17-01-2016

Originally Posted by Enrico

Thank you JazzCNC for your words of encouragement! Very much appreciated!

I will certainly follow your advice and try to come up with a design to start the process... sounds like a good plan already! I will try and limit the daft questions to a minimum, but there are bound to be some ;-) ... in fact, I am going to start with one already: should I opt for a steel or aluminium frame? Aluminium would be lighter, but perhaps more expensive? Also, I can weld steel but not aluminium ... what would you suggest? This is a basic question for me, as it will steer my design in a specific initial direction. Thank you again!

Ok well I'll answer this here but please start thread for further questions because it's not fair to OP.

First only Daft question is the one you don't ask.!!

There's no best really and both work but steel is most common because it's cheaper, stronger and easier to work with.
Most machines are built with a combination of both Steel and Aluminium. Steel for main frame and Aluminium for moving parts like Gantry, Zaxis.