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Slimy38 - 15/4/19 at 08:16 AM

Hi, I'm looking to build myself a small Dremel based CNC mill for some light work (and mainly as a new toy!!). Does anyone know of a good forum or similar where I can get some ideas and ask some questions?

As a guide, my first question is around stepper motors, more specifically the nema 17 range. They seem to be quite common drivers for 3d printing too, hence the expansion to 3d printing forums.

harmchar - 15/4/19 at 07:23 PM

www.mycncuk has lots of builds to read over. It's something I have been thinking of for a while now but never get round to it. My time would be better spent in my garage getting my Haynes 7 ready for IVA.
Good luck, post up any progress you make.

David Jenkins - 16/4/19 at 06:47 AM

You could take a look at

RepRap forums

Mainly for 3d printing, but there are lots of people talking about CNC (mostly home-built). EVERYBODY talks about NEMA17 motors, as they're the staple power source for most 3d printers - I have 2 printers, and there are 9 NEMA17s between them!

You will have to sift through the dross as it's a popular forum, but there are some good people on there who will happily answer a sensible question. It's easy to register too.

Note that NEMA17 describes the size of the motor, it's mounting holes, etc. They come in all sorts of power ratings, from very thin weak ones up to hefty great high-power ones.

[Edited on 16/4/19 by David Jenkins]

Slimy38 - 16/4/19 at 08:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins

Note that NEMA17 describes the size of the motor, it's mounting holes, etc. They come in all sorts of power ratings, from very thin weak ones up to hefty great high-power ones.


Perfect, that's the sort of information I'm after. I assumed Nema was the company and it was their 17th variant... Time to start looking a bit deeper, thanks.

Slimy38 - 16/4/19 at 09:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by harmchar
www.mycncuk has lots of builds to read over. It's something I have been thinking of for a while now but never get round to it. My time would be better spent in my garage getting my Haynes 7 ready for IVA.
Good luck, post up any progress you make.


I'll give them a go, thanks. It looks like a lot of information, although my registration has been denied. I'm guessing it's because my email address is Yahoo based, so I've contacted the admin to see what can be done.

David Jenkins - 16/4/19 at 11:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins

Note that NEMA17 describes the size of the motor, it's mounting holes, etc. They come in all sorts of power ratings, from very thin weak ones up to hefty great high-power ones.


Perfect, that's the sort of information I'm after. I assumed Nema was the company and it was their 17th variant... Time to start looking a bit deeper, thanks.


Try this, for a start: LINKY

And this: LINKY

[Edited on 16/4/19 by David Jenkins]

coyoteboy - 17/4/19 at 07:46 AM

You're possibly going to use Linuxcnc to run it if you want to learn cnc. So the linuxcnc forum which includes machine builds.

Cnczone has useful info for machining.

A dremel based machine will depress you though, you would be limited to soft plastics and wood, get a proper spindle.