The assembly of the CNC alone looked exhausting............I can't imagine having to move and reset the location of the video camera that many times as well. Incredible patients and worth it in the end. Excellent video. Very well done.
W-D 40 is a great oil for drilling and threading aluminum and when you thread you can install the tap in your drill chuck on a slow speed and power tap the hole. Without reverse on your drill press you'll have to remove the tap by hand.
When you weld the weld shrinks and pulls the metal towards the weld as it cools. Typically about 1/16 on steel, there's a lot of variables so that's approximate. You can counter that by welding kind of like a torque pattern and minimizing gaps. Tacking opposite corners and running short welds to minimize distortion. Heat sinks help too. Hope that helps someone!
frank when hand tapping holes take a block of wood and drill a clearance hole for your tap it will help starting the tap straight just a le little help for you in the future
I dont know what is more enjoyable: the ideas bring to us (the ones who want to make something like that) OR the animations on the film !!! great director!
A common way to make precise steel frames is to weld (stitch weld to minimise warpage) from thicker gauge box section and then weld plates where the attachments will be made, then you get it strain relieved and then Lumsden/Blanchard ground flat, the plates added provide some sacrificial material. But given the size of this thing and its intended use I think washers will be fine :)
Frank great work, I built a cnc router based on Joe's original 4x4 design and it was a lot of fun to build. You can see my videos on my channel. The struggle you had with the base is tough because we are woodworkers and I like you am not a welder and learned on this machine. The beauty of the way my machine is built is that I attached the table structural members to the angle iron, and the angle iron to the 8020. This meant I could finagle and adjust into a relatively flat table and then flatten it completely with a surfacing bit later on. I think I avoided the warping you did because of this as I set me plane on the adjustable 8020 slots and not the table, which means no shimming. I don't mean to come off as criticism, I thought I would just mention it. Joe has a great user group where we share information and everyone helps each other on their builds and subsequent cnc projects when it's running. You should check out his site : joescnc.com. I look forward to seeing more on this build Frank, thanks!
If my dad was still here today half his shop would be CNC... He never saw this tech in action but he always imagined things like it. Your videos are a welcome gift, that I sure always enjoy. Can't wait to see the projects and materials you use this platform on.
Frank you are a very tall Yoda Sir. As always you teach I learn and am entertained to. Also Jay Bates has the power of the force and teaches very well. Thank you
Love 80/20.. The Bosch Rexroth extrusion system is a bit better because you don't have to slide the attachment bolts on, but it's also typically more expensive.
Nice job Frank! Makes me want to build a CNC. For deburring holes, you can also use that countersink in your cordless drill. Prevents pushing the burr over into the hole which can sometimes happen with the file or grinder.
Having watched a number of video series' on cnc router builds ; in preparation of building my own, and commenting on none; I felt compelled to comment on yours. You explain well your process, progress at a very nice pace, video very nicely and most improtantly very pragmaticly build with a high level of precision without over-compilcating the whole thing. Thanks for the videos ....... I will watch all you have to offer.
Frank, I have always been in awe of how patient and precise you are with all your projects. Perhaps it is all in how you edit things, but I choose to think that you do put that much thought and effort into your builds. It has helped me slow down on my projects and let them take the time they are going to take - instead of rushing it to meet my self imposed deadlines. Keep up your inspiring work!
I like the wood on the Z wire track. Lighter the better up there. Actually if I had your wood skills I'd of made all of the track parts wood just for the individualization. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes off that unit.
Just take care for all readers, use just aluminium or steel for a machine. Never combine aluminium with steel due different thermal heat-extension values -> it will bend. If you use metal (and weld it) you should also stress relieve the structure - that way you can get rid of the bended table. A good idea is also to use flat-steel bars on the raw steel bars to achieve better accuracy. See Momus CNC as a good reference. Take some reference from (semi)-professionals before you start to build your machine, helps to balance the load between all axis.
so exciting to see the world of CNC coming to one of my favorite woodworking channels. Can't wait to see what you build and how you work through your problems. Thanks Frank.
Man, I could listen to you read children's books. I really don't care what you're building (and I mean that in the nicest possible way), because the way you do it and how you explain everything just blows my mind. Thank you for all these videos!
I actually laughed at "the nine minute post flipping". The pure joy when you've put 20-30 minutes into something, just to realize it's the wrong way. How many times have you not done that. :)
very interesting, but this makes me realize how valuable it is when you give us the birds eye view ahead of time. I couldn't see the purpose of the pieces until you attached them.
Oh my god! This is the best produced how-to videos I've ever seen on youtube. In fact, I cant say I've seen any motivational and well explained tutorial even on public service or commercial broadcasts either. What you are building seems to be solid and well thought of in every detail. This series is going to get to my favorite list for sure! Please keep up the good work!
This is a JoesCNC (joescnc.com). He sells the plans and can cut the plates for you. The biggest thing is the forums on JoesCNC where everyone there has built one and has a wealth of knowledge and an understanding of it because Joe designed this machine and has helped hundreds of people build the machine. He provides very detailed plans and a build list of all the parts and suppliers you need, also he has worked out discounts with some of the suppliers that will send you exactly what you need. The actual cost of the machine varies depending on how large you make it and what types of motors/electronics you use. The real price of the machine is way more than the build cost so don't do like so many other and stretch yourself thin to just get by to make it and think you are done. You need the table top, software, clamps, cable track, router bits, cables, material, paints, stains, computer and so so much more that many people don't include into the cost of the machine. A set of decent bits will be a couple hundred, software can run a couple thousand dollars by itself, Mach 3 is I think $150. Then you will want a zero probe, dust collection and the list will keep going on. Easily topping $8k on this build. Also understand that a CNC is capable of a lot, but also has limitation and you need other pieces of equipment to make it the most effective machine. Such as a planer, table saw and other hardware that will be able to surface the pieces so they are flat and level. You need to really look into what you want to do with this and make sure you budget in all the equipment so that your end product is awesome. Nice video and great build!
I have been pondering the design aspect of a CNC router for some time and your video guide has answered my questions. Thanks. I love the animations too. They are amusing and instructional at the same time. Well wish me luck, I'm off to the shop to start building.
kudos on that build! I have a CNC myself so here are a few points I came across: -Did you already get a dial gauge and check the alignment? Maybe a good industrial bubble level would also help. -Those vertical posts seem to be quite slim in comparison with the rest of the machine, if you experience vibration and chatter marks you should consider broadening those -Stepper motors can get quite hot so keep an eye on that wood at the Z-axis Really looking forward to the first results of the machine :)
That is going to be an awesome setup. The cable trays are a terrific setup. They seem to work very smoothly. You give meaning to the phrase go big or go home.
Very very cool. Great walkthrough. Would love to see you where you go from here - like what you use for hold downs, how you handle dust collection, etc.
I found your videos by accident. I find myself extremely jealous (a sure-fire sin) of your shop and your equipment, especially your CNC machine. I wonder if you do this as a profession, or if you have one heck of a fantastic hobby and a lot of money from a great job to support it. Please do tell. Thanks for your videos! I hope your children realize how lucky they are to have a pop like you. Super neat! Please do tell more.
(Frank, the Ad that came up with this video was one for sawblade.com that featured HEM Saw, Inc. It was over four minutes long and I watched every second of it. I wish I could give an ad a thumbs up, but I'll settle for giving you one!) This CNC machine is pretty incredible and your patience in building it is remarkable. I am excited to see what your plans are for this little monster. Thanks for taking us along!
I think you're going to quickly wish you had larger steppers. Those look like the same 270 oz/in motors on my small CNC. It cuts and moves along at a nice 100 in/mn but it's much lighter as well. Also I think you're going to notice that your uprights will be the weakest point of your system. You'd be surprised how much 1530 aluminum extrusion will flex with all that weight on it! Can't wait to see what you make with it!
+Brian McCauley I'm thinking a shop to house his CNC -- All modular. Cut it out in a day. Spray insulation on it, paint or finish on it, and on the 3rd day a new 5,000 sq. ft. shop addition.... lol
you have the patience of a saint. I find drilling holes in steel is so damn tiresome. I always think, "that won't take long, maybe half an hour". 3 hours later.... I'm still going haha. and to film yourself making it as well. I've got a serious amount of respect for that.
Yeah, you know you're onto something good when grown men get cranky at the end of your videos because they don't want to wait another week. This is an awesome project! I'm excited to see it finished, and excited to see what you build with it.
Hi Frank...i was listening to your video and there is a way to straighten that frame. You have to however do it before any assembling on top of it. You take to take a heating torch and give some heat on the frame followed by placing a wet rag on to it. This way the metal shrinks and slowly the frame will become strait. In the welding process the metal tends to expand due to the heat and this process reverses the expansion of the metal by means of shrinking it back. Hope this has helped but i think it will be a bit late. regards
I think it's perfectly valid and a good choice to use wood for any piece that doesn't need to be dimensionally stable. .. so cable tracks, etc.. all awesome stuff to use wood. and it's prettier.
I hope you were able to sell this amazing DIY CNC machine when you got the CNC machine kit to replace it... you spent so much time and effort in making it!!
the bow in your table after welding is a common thing one of things you can do is find where it is bowed and use a torch and heat up the opposite side (that would be under you table) but you already have it fixed
Frank, I've just recently stumbled upon your channel and WOW, your videos are amazing! The work that you do is incredibly precise, and the way you put your videos together is stunning. You must spend hours if not days just editing the footage, let alone the setup for all of these shots! And you're an Oregonian? Even better. I'm eager to watch old videos and to see what you have in store for the future! You've definitely earned a sub from me!
I'm so excited for this series! You videos are just so lovely to watch! The tone you set in how you narrate it and the great graphics and general cinematography. You're my type of person!
dang Frank, this is nice. why do I get the feeling that this video is like your piece de resistance? It's beautiful. I'm wanting, nay, I'm needing more! Can't wait till next week!
Love your work Frank and great job with this CNC and also love the idea of the extra extension at the one end of the table so your able to cut parts out by clamping them vertically, good thinking.
I could be mistaken, but I believe that 80/20 is actually just a specific brand/reseller of aluminium (albeit the best bang for the buck I've found online). I've always known it as, "t-slotted extruded aluminium" or just t-slots for short.
80/20 is the manufacturer of this type of t-slot extruded aluminum. Another popular brand is Mitsumi. Bosch also makes their version. I use and like 80/20. Their catalog is a size of a phone book with many different versions available. Big boys erector set.
Impressive scale cnc so jelly. 3d printers go together the same with that extruded aluminium although a smaller gauge. If you need brackets \ cable management stuff printed that will screw into that aluminium a 3d printer could do it in abs pretty easy.
This was great! years ago i did this at a scene shop in Florida using the same extrusions, im betting the software your using is far and away better than what we were using back then. I sure would like to be involved with this kind of work again Genius
To whom it may concern: be very carful mixing grinding particles of aluminum and steel together, especially when mixed with wood dust. It's really difficult to put out the resulting fire from the spontaneous combustion that can occur. Especially avoid mixing them within your dust collection system. I've seen this act like a bellows, serving to feed air to the already insanely hot fire.
It is fascinating watching your videos of your build. I love the thought, patience and care you put into your work as well as letting your kids be part of the process. Great to watch the build, interesting to see you using your recip saw cutting the 80/20 when you could have done this on the table saw for a better looking cut, but maybe you had other reasons as I saw you cutting al on the bandsaw later (so many options!). I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of your creativity when you get the CNC all up and working. All the best for the build.
I just had a thought I'd like to share. On the far end of the table, where you have it open to place unusual shaped objects. How about putting a rotary control feature (CNC lathe)? This way, if you are working on a bowl (or something else round), you could carve designs. Just a thought, but I'm sure you just want to be done. Awesome build! I cannot wait to see it in use.
Very nice job frank,i'm figuring out a machine of my own at the moment,and your video build is very professional ,one thing i noticeed,and this is not to detract from the job at all,but a water cooled spindle of 800W is around £80-£90 here in the UK,im in scotland,so for such a very high end build and the expense of the set up,a water cooled spindle would'nt be a bad thing,plus for such a large cutting area the water cooled spindle might make more sense,like i said not to detract from the whole build. The one i'm looking at would be a cut area of 2ft x 4ft so i might not need a water cooled spindle,but it looks like it will go that way,on the subject of drive,how do you find the toothed belt for accuracy,as cutting will produce some back pressure on a fibre/rubber constructed belt,yes car and trucks use them for timing belts ,but ,im going to use my machine for pcb etching ,brass etching,alluminium cutting and wood carving ,plus a laser etcher too,pcb etching can be very fine cuts,tenths of a millimeter,or better for some ic's . Im jealous,in a good way,that machine,as far as this vid shows ,is just the bees knees. If i get mine half as good it'll be great. cheers.
