Hey Leo!!

[art3427]

Leo, I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous when you posted about doing some stop dadoes on your CNC. I've been interested in a CNC for quite some time now. If you don't mind, I have some questions I'd like your input on.

Right now I'm CAD illiterate. I will be taking a course at the local community college this year to remedy that. I've been looking at sites where folks have built their own CNCs and I liked what I saw. I don't think I'd have any problem with the hardware part. I've already checked and the local Motion Industries has everything I need. Where I'm skeptical is doing the computer/software part. All that servo/stepper talk just goes right over my head. What do you think? Should I just buy an off the shelf unit and pay the money, or go the DIY route? Is there really that much difference in the comparative costs of a DIY vs. off the shelf unit by the time you're ready to make shavings?

Any advice would be appreciated.

art

[Leo Voisine]

I have seen first hand a couple of home uilt CNC routers and have read about home built CNC routers.

Some come out OK - but many others do not.

There are commercially available motion slides made for the application. There are also commercially available ball screws. They are precision made products and quite expensive. BUT - they work, and work well. There are LOTS of people that will tell you that you don't need that expensive stuff. Just ask them - have "they", ever BUILT a "successful CNC machine? If they say "yes" - I will stand down.

If you decide to make a machine, and think that just a threaded rod as a drive mechanism is going to work, forget it. I have seen that fail many times. Same with the linear slides.

YES - some people make their own machines and do a nice job. Joe's CNC sells kits, and is building a nice reputation.

ME, personally. I don't know much at all about the operating electronics that drives the machine. I am not one to be building my own machine. Maybe in the future, but not at this time.

Me, personally. I am very CAD literate. I am also very CAM literate. I am also very CNC machine literate. I work with, CAD and CAM and CNC all day every day.

The machines are all the same. Oh sure there are differences, but they all have 3 axis travel, or 4. They all have some sort of linear slides and they all have either steppers or servos to drive the axis motions. Servos are better, but steppers work OK.

Yes there is a definate skill level, but that is greatly minimised by using a good CAM software. You don't really need CAD experience to do this stuff. www.vectric.com has in my estimation the best CAM software out there for the beginner. I am an experienced person with more than 20 years in CAD and CAM and I use Vectric. They even have fully functioning demo software availably for you to try. Also, there is not a company on the planet with better customer support than Vectric.

As to the machines out there - there are numerous name brands. Shopbot is about the most popular, but the other names are good too. I hear mixed reviews on the Rockler Shark, but it is certainly worth a good close look at it.

The Carveright is a CNC router, but - with marked limitations.

If you want more detailed information - I would be more than happy to help.