anyone here had a go a a home built cnc router/mill type machine? ive been toying with the idea for ages and now i need an inside project it seems like the ideal time to have a go, im totally in the dark i was thinking about making something small that could work plastic and aluminum

any tips hints suggestion for a place to start?

I replaced all of the electronics of a 1980s cnc lathe with modern drives using Mach3 - a truly wonderful program!


Look at the Artsoft website and find the support forum for Mach3 there are loads of projects done by DIYers.

If building from scratch there is an ebay seller "Marchantdice" who sells all of the linear rails / bearings/ steppers etc just search for ballscrews

Another source of bits is arc eurotrade.

Something like this?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/benchtop-cnc-milling-machine-conversion-mill-like-boxford-/301026316341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4616911035

Some interesting stuff here http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=183813

Have a look at this:-

http://www.cnccookbook.com/

Built my own, using 10mm steel laser cut steel, so accuracy is within 0.1mm ish. My advice if if you can affford it use steel profile linear guides, rather than round guides as they flex more. I can cut steel with a 16mm bit.

Converted my own manual x2 to CNC which I sold not long ago have also retrofitted a denford triad and a couple of star turn lathes. Biggest thing is make the machine as strong and stiff as you can to prevent chatter.

Have you thought about building a reprap, next project on my very long list.

I'm in the middle of converting my G0704 clone. Work envelope of around 490x175x200. Doing full ballscrew conversion too, which I'm not looking forward to (not as simple as a straight swap and will probably need to put the machine back together to make the new parts, then strip again to fit!).

Just deciding on flood or mist coolant.

I can see I have a lot to learn I'm hoping to find a
Set of plans to follow

Was building one before I got into building the Locost

Sold the frame that i was going to use

Still got the PC stepper motors
Build my own control box complete with Breakout box & Charge pump.
with relay board & stepper motor drives
spent quite a fair bit of money on this then locost took over
Was going to sell it all a kit

Any one interested let me know

Converted a warco Minor mill/dll a while ago, the locost way.

Cheap PC using TurboCNC running under DOS. Free to use.

3 Ebay stepper motors about £30 each.
3 channel Chinese controller. about £50

Other bits like pullies/belts I already had in my collection of junk.

If the machining is kept light it works well for me.

Now in the process for build a new one.

Again a Warco but a VMC version.

Got some useful ideas for mine HERE (LINK)




Some of the bits it has help make


Lamps

Slave

There is some good information at http://www.cnczone.com/

Finally got time to wire up my steppers