I got motors spinning last night. I booted up EMC2 and connected my Hobby CNC Pro board. I had to turn down the voltage on the motors because my bench power supply wouldn’t run it at full power. But, I successfully ran the default g-code in the EMC program.
Now all I need to get a machine built. I wish I paided more attention in wood shop all those years ago.
I made it out to Swan Falls and got some flying in last weekend. It was very cold, but I still managed to get in about 45 minutes of good ridge soaring. Mark, Bruce, Rob, and Greg all showed up.
Lots of spectators too. Overall a good time.
I’ve been making progress on my CNC project. The progress is the main reason I haven’t really been posting much.
I decided to build an ‘ugly’ maching in order to get a really good one going. In this vein I am going to build a variation of a Joe2006 machine. Then with that one built, learn the basics, and either build out a real Joe2006 or build up a 4’x2.5′ version of a Joe4x4. Anyway, that is the plan.
So what have I got so far? A gantry, and a HobbyCNC Pro kit. I have the HCNCPro kit built and am configuring it. So far so good, and I should have stepper motors spinning soon. I got the kit on sale for $300 all up. This brings the total cost up to about $380.
I still have to get some expensive stuff. These items include Acme lead screws (McMaster Carr p/n-98940A627 x2, 92940A623 x1), and then a lead nut kit (DumpsterCNC the Joe CNC Router deluxe kit), plus software. I’m looking at the Cut 2-d from Ventric, this will get me the G-Code and some other features. Then I can run the EMC2 open source software to acutally control the machine and run the G-Code.
So I should be able to get a working machine for about $900.
I was lucky, well me and the other Norco employees. We got a gift card as a Christmas present from Norco. So I took mine and bought a Rigid router combo to use as a spindle and also to help me build my first CNC router.
Most people I see building up a CNC router are using the Porter-Cable stuff, but I thought this was a pretty good deal, and if it doesn’t work out, well I guess I learn something.
I got a slide done, and the other 5 drilled and ready for bolts and bearings.
I spent $22.94 bringing the total to $70.84
Still working on the design as well. I’m 90% sure I’m going with 8020 for the gantry and the support at this point. I don’t see a way that I can do tight enough wood working to get a MDF frame to be very stiff. I also can’t afford to buy plans or a kit from someone.
I’ll post pictures and a revised design once I get them done.