hobby cnc routers

Yes there are good ones and bad ones out there.

Do an Google search for CNC Routers, many sites out there.

Besides the router you need software to drive it, look at TurboCNC

A low cost alternate to AutoCad ($~ $4000) is IntelliCad at ~ $150.

Then you need a conversion progam to conver from the drawing to G Code to be read by the router software.

A good list for information and help is

CAD_CAM_EDM snipped-for-privacy@yahoogroups.com

Hugh

You should be able to find out anything you want to know about that here:

good site with sound information

Think I mentionned these guys under a different discussion:

They are associated with

Stock Drive Parts / Sterling Instruments

They sell both components and assembled routers.

Eric

ok..update..I did what U all said and bought a set of plans from

they seemed to be the best design for model arircraft being long and wide enough for most parts needed..(IE ribs..bulkheads ect) so I tosed some money at the paypal godz and few days later in the mail PLANS for my very own CNC router..(cheapest part so far) then came the fun stuff..70 dollars and many hours on Ebay bought me 4 stepper motors and some linear bearings..I have since also bought from hobby CNC a 3 axis controler kit... have scooped a powersupply for the works from a surplus electronics place..my buddy up the road whom is a most excelent finish carpenter is building the bed frame for me(and I reinstalled windows on his computer for him after he decided to go on the web where no man should go..(nudge nudge..wink wink)) and and I have decided to go with a software program called Kcam. it will take a acad DXF file (and other cad program files) directly and controle the CNC router as well..so..now all I have to do is put this whole mess together absolutly straight..without any errors and press the go button..I will add to this over the next few weeks as my trials and tribulations go..wish me luck..

Sounds great! Keep us informed!

I am doing something similar but it will be for a laser cutter. The Hobby CNC boards work really well, especially for the cost. I built a CNC foam cutter (two of them) and I have been using the Hobby CNC boards for several years now.

You bet!

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Sounds like lots of fun!

Marty

How much did the leadscrews, bushings/bearings, etc run you?

John

Who are you asking?

My lead screws are ACME screws from Enco and cost about $4.00 each for

1/2X10 steel. I use precision drawer slides from McMaster for about $12 each.

For some reason I missed the beginning of this thread.

Are you referring to a lead screw assembly including - end mounts - cross-slide drive bushing (brass, bronze or plastic) ?

or just the threaded bar itself ?

Did you ever measure the backlash/slack on your lead-screws ? If so, how much ?

As for the drawer slides, is there any lateral twist ? If so, how much ?

(choose any units you prefer)

I ask because catalogs can say one thing when reality can be another.

The price seems awful low. Would you mind sharing the URL for your supplier ? or did your local hardware store carry that kind of thing ?

Thank you,

Eric

I'm talking about the OP who used the hobbycnc plans and electronics. I have this, but haven't gotten around to building the hardware, just assembled the electronics, but haven't gotten any further.

John

Here is Enco's site:

is down right now but I expect that to be temporary.

Here is McMaster's site:

their search feature for drawer slides.

I use the Acme threaded rod and Acme nuts. I use two nuts encased in epoxy in lieu of fancy zero lash nuts. The lash is negligible. My steppers are ball bearing units so there is no need for end bearings.

The drawer slides are used in such a way that lateral twist will not occur. They are used in pairs on opposite sides of each carrier. If you go to:

you can see some bad pictures.

Thank you.

I'll check them out.

Eric