Building my own CNC router

[ToolAA]

I'm beginning to realize that my interest in building machines is going to compliment my new found interest in shooting.

I built this 3D printer about 6 months ago.

https://vimeo.com/175477757

I had intended to use that to build parts for a DLP printer. However after some research it seemed that my DLP design would be best achieved by having the ability to make aluminum and plexiglas gusset plates. So I switched gears and decided to build a tabletop cnc router.

Now I'm realizing that if I make the Router a but larger I could use it to finish 80% lowers and now I'm working towards that goal.

I've got a few in order, but I plan to make s few test blocks in MDF first to make sure I program the G-code correctly before screwing up metal.

I figure the worst case scenario is that I find some limitation in the machine design or my ability to create the CNC program I could easily create my own 80% lower jig set. They were selling them for $150 at the show last week and thats about 1/4 the cost of the parts for the CNC.

DLP printer project is on hold for now.

I'll post a followup if Im successful.



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[Overboost44]

Interested to see what you come up with! Thanks.

 

[Arcamm]

That's seriously cool! Did you build those from kits or from scratch?

 

[ejholt]

I just finished converting a Grizzly 704 mill to CNC. My next step is going to be. 48"x48" CNC router. Nice build!

 

[Bertfish]

That's seriously cool! Did you build those from kits or from scratch?

Same question here, would be real interested if they were a kit. Been tossing around the idea of a plasma table kit.

 

[ToolAA]

That's seriously cool! Did you build those from kits or from scratch?

For the 3D printer I brought a kit online. I'll link the site when I find it. Then I modified it to add some features and improve the stability of the print head.

For the Router I purchased a kit of frame parts from a website called Openbuilds.com. They used to sell what they call a c-beam kit for $465 it's really just the X, Y and Z axis kits with a few other extrusions and hardware. I priced out all of the parts separately including on Amazon and it seemed to be a wash. From that initial kit I added a much more bearing support for the slide rails. I'm still not sure it's stable enough to cut large 3d parts in metal but I'll hopefully find out soon enough.

I just finished converting a Grizzly 704 mill to CNC. My next step is going to be. 48"x48" CNC router. Nice build!

If you have not checked out Openbuilds yet there are a lot of good examples on their site.



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[ToolAA]

Same question here, would be real interested if they were a kit. Been tossing around the idea of a plasma table kit.

I saw examples on openbuilds were guys used similar parts to mount cutting lasers. They also have at least 2 examples of guys building multi axis cnc lathes.


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[Alphabrew]

In. I love this kind of stuff. I'd even like to have a manual mini mill like that.

 

[smdub]

I just finished converting a Grizzly 704 mill to CNC. My next step is going to be. 48"x48" CNC router. Nice build!

If you build a 48" gantry router, think stiffness! Since you have an 0704 I think you get the idea of how big something has to be for even a small work envelope. I've had some friends try to build bigger 48" units w/ aluminum rails and they are too flimsy to do even decent woodworking with. Flatness seems to be the biggest problem. I have an Accucut 48" gantry that I converted to LinuxCNC that easily weighs a couple hundred pounds. Holds square *AND* flat, can do wood and sheet aluminum easily.

Here is a 5C rack I made for my dad that can also hold a
D1-4 nose protector & adapter. 26.25" x 16.25" x 0.125" 5052 plate. My notes said around 30ipm cutting. One thing to note: a big gantry **WILL** make a mess!! I've built some swing out supports to hang clear curtains around it. Cutting aluminum circles shoots out chips like a one of those pulsating water sprinklers at high speed all over the garage.

Edit: Can see it in Fox's thread: https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=194363

 

[ironpony]

Looks like fun, I have seen cnc routers that cut foam plugs for building fiberglass boats, I think it was 40'. I think they actually could laser image/plot an existing part (hull or deck) and have the router duplicate it from a foam block. That was maybe 14 years ago.

So you are well on your way, enjoy it and good luck ... and MDS will have many projects for you to cut

 

[FrankOceanXray]

I will try to upload a short video of yours SMDub.

When I build my wooden screen door, I think the same logo (no text) will be a great touch on the cross brace. Would you mind? Another bottle of something?

 

[ejholt]

Smdub-thanks for the pointers. To be honest, I've never seen a CNC router in person. I've been slowly putting a build list together, but havent purchased anything yet. Nice work n the price in the pic.

 

[ToolAA]

If you build a 48" gantry router, think stiffness! Since you have an 0704 I think you get the idea of how big something has to be for even a small work envelope. I've had some friends try to build bigger 48" units w/ aluminum rails and they are too flimsy to do even decent woodworking with. Flatness seems to be the biggest problem.

I agree with this. Even with my small 18" gantry beam I can create a few thousandths movement with even light pressure on the spindle and .02" by really pushing hard.

The biggest impact will be that I will likely need to make very light passes at slower speed to achieve decent accuracy. I don't think it's much of a problem machining the trigger pocket in the lower but will be critical when boring the holes.



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[jcarpenter]

Chatter too

Smdub is right about the stiffness needed. While deflection of light frames is a problem a greater mess is chattering. Weak and lightweight frames will let the tool chatter. And the long tool needed to get down into the 80% will just make it worse. Light passes at slow speeds won't help either.
John C

 

[Jmorrismetal]

I built a 4'x8' CNC table a long time ago, it can be used with a machine torch or plasma.

 

[ToolAA]

Got my 80% lower in the mail today and the CNC build progress is moving right along too.

Found what appears to be an accurate 3D model of a mil-spec lower.

I still need to design some holding fixture then Im planning on milling a pocket and pins using an acrylic block first then test fit a trigger assembly.


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[smdub]

Hey, a PMDX-424! Excellent choice if using Mach.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Found what appears to be an accurate 3D model of a mil-spec lower.

Where do you get the model? Can you just plug the correct path and let the machine do all of the work? Or do you have to custom program this?

 

[ToolAA]

Models can be found on GrabCAD or other websites. I'm planning on using SketchUCAM which is a free plugin to google Sketchup to make the tool path.


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[ToolAA]

Hey, a PMDX-424! Excellent choice if using Mach.

Thanks. It's way more board than this little machine needs but I want to learn Mach 4 and be ready to expand in the future. This board was highly recommended.

It has 3 encoder inputs so I'm pretty sure it can drive a lathe and make threaded parts too.


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