- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 4,251
I meant to start a thread on this shortly after I built the thing, but I just never got around to it. The machine (and shop) was a bit cleaner at that point, but oh well... hahah
Untitled by AR Custom Knives (Andrew Riley), on Flickr
Untitled by AR Custom Knives (Andrew Riley), on Flickr
Untitled by AR Custom Knives (Andrew Riley), on Flickr
I built it using some plans (that were actually for a different style machine) and a builders forum at JoesCNC.com. The model of the machine is called the "Evolution". The plans/design of the machine give quite a bit of wiggle room for sizing, motors and electronics, base style, etc... The frame is welded 2" square tube, and the rest of the machine is a combination of 80/20 extrusion, aluminum plate and steel, with an MDF table top.
I built a "4x4" machine, which is actually about 6 feet x 6 feet and has a travel of about 4 and a half feet in either direction. I went with 1200 oz NEMA34 motors and a 2hp 24,000 RPM spindle on a VFD. It started off running on V-bearings and angle iron for the linear motion, but I recently upgraded to linear bearings and rails. They're pricey, but worth it.
As I said in the other thread, it's no mill, but it's great for cutting wood, plastics, phenolics, and even aluminum or other soft metals. I can't necessarily hog off material, but with the right tool path and some patience, it does a very nice job and is pretty dang accurate. I also use it with a drag bit I made to scribe patterns onto steel or other material, and it's also great for spot drilling parts and pieces.
I have more pics of things I've cut with it here: https://www.instagram.com/arcustomknives/
I've more/less been drinking from the fire hose since around August, when I ran hit "Cycle Start" for the very first time ever. I had ZERO experience with CNC programming and machining, other than being a maintenance supervisor in a roll grinding shop years ago, and watching a few "button pushers" load and run old ass grinding machines from time to time. One of the grinders still had a tape reader, so I probably didn't get much out of that "experience". YouTube, forums, and good old trial and error have been the name of the game.
The long plan is to learn the basics with this machine, then eventually upgrade to something more robust. In the mean time, I also plan to upgrade the table to something more coolant resistant than MDF, but that adds up quick too, so I'm holding off.
Untitled by AR Custom Knives (Andrew Riley), on FlickrUntitled by AR Custom Knives (Andrew Riley), on FlickrUntitled by AR Custom Knives (Andrew Riley), on FlickrI built it using some plans (that were actually for a different style machine) and a builders forum at JoesCNC.com. The model of the machine is called the "Evolution". The plans/design of the machine give quite a bit of wiggle room for sizing, motors and electronics, base style, etc... The frame is welded 2" square tube, and the rest of the machine is a combination of 80/20 extrusion, aluminum plate and steel, with an MDF table top.
I built a "4x4" machine, which is actually about 6 feet x 6 feet and has a travel of about 4 and a half feet in either direction. I went with 1200 oz NEMA34 motors and a 2hp 24,000 RPM spindle on a VFD. It started off running on V-bearings and angle iron for the linear motion, but I recently upgraded to linear bearings and rails. They're pricey, but worth it.
As I said in the other thread, it's no mill, but it's great for cutting wood, plastics, phenolics, and even aluminum or other soft metals. I can't necessarily hog off material, but with the right tool path and some patience, it does a very nice job and is pretty dang accurate. I also use it with a drag bit I made to scribe patterns onto steel or other material, and it's also great for spot drilling parts and pieces.
I have more pics of things I've cut with it here: https://www.instagram.com/arcustomknives/
I've more/less been drinking from the fire hose since around August, when I ran hit "Cycle Start" for the very first time ever. I had ZERO experience with CNC programming and machining, other than being a maintenance supervisor in a roll grinding shop years ago, and watching a few "button pushers" load and run old ass grinding machines from time to time. One of the grinders still had a tape reader, so I probably didn't get much out of that "experience". YouTube, forums, and good old trial and error have been the name of the game.
The long plan is to learn the basics with this machine, then eventually upgrade to something more robust. In the mean time, I also plan to upgrade the table to something more coolant resistant than MDF, but that adds up quick too, so I'm holding off.
