Cheap Drawer Slide CNC Machine

I see other folks put the CNC stuff they make up on this site, so here's mine. This is close to the cheapest build possible. Well, the cheapest that will actually work. I have seen cheaper, but I doubt they could do much.

I know this don't look like much, because it isn't much. But it works OK. Did I mention I built it for about $200?

That's everything. The router (I got it at a flea market for $20), the electronics, all of it. That even includes the total cost of the PC. Which I got for $5. OK the screen was another $5, mouse and keyboard were a buck a pop. I found the plywood I used on the side of the road. It came with that lovely shade of gray on it.

Ask me what the Z axis is made out of.

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How about you actually show people how you built it like this site used to be about instead of brag pictures and plans for sale.

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<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-cnc-router-26"> <img src="/uploads/158309/homemade-cnc-router-26.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-cnc-router-26">CNC Router</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/pfredX1">pfredX1</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/cnc'>CNC</a>, <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/router'>router</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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Ah, because when I built it I did not take any pictures? Anyone capable of this build should be able to just look at the pictures I posted, and see the general design well enough to copy it.

But if anyone does happen to have specific questions about any detail I will try to answer their queries.

pfredX1 - as long as you have 1 sentence plus 1 photo, we want you to post your build, and you have more than that. $200 for this build is especially brag-worthy. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tjroberts43

How about you actually show people how you built it like this site used to be about instead of brag pictures and plans for sale.

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C'mon now, cool your jets, rocket boy!

Okay, I'll bite-what's the Z axis made of?

Hi pfredX1, show us something you have made with your swap meet 2x4 cnc router looks real good. :O) looks real strong too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pa1963

Okay, I'll bite-what's the Z axis made of?

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I melted down HDPE plastic jugs, and made it out of that. So the cost for that stock is $0. Well, it does take some time. A little electricity I suppose? As much as a toaster oven might use in a couple of hours.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Captainleeward

Hi pfredX1, show us something you have made with your swap meet 2x4 cnc router looks real good. :O) looks real strong too.

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Mostly I use it as a plotter. I am still getting the hang of the software I use to make G Code. Lately I have been trying to isolation route a circuit board with the machine, and I have done some test runs on hardboard. I still do not have the G Code file quite right yet. But here is one trial. http://i.imgur.com/47xFRPY.jpg That one score mark was in the hardboard already. It is just a piece of scrap. I don't think hardboard can hold detail very well. I need to actually try to cut some copper clad circuit board, and see how that goes.

Here's that file plotted with a pen http://i.imgur.com/rBM7NEG.jpg

Look at those tiny circles.

The pen drawings look real good....:O)

I am kind of addicted to plotting with my CNC. It is so quiet, and the results are strangely satisfying. I am on the third version of pen holder for my machine now. I am quite pleased with the latest one I've made. I can change pens easily with it, and it appears to work well too. I settled on using Pilot Precise V5 extra fine pens. Because they're cheap, and easy to get. Though I kind of prefer how a good regular ball point works over these pens. Oddly getting plain ball point refills is not so easy these days. At least not the metal ones like the one pen holder I made needs. It worked pretty good, but I think my latest pen holder works better. Just these Pilot pens are not quite as good. I may have to figure out some way of using other ball point pen refills? When the pens I'm using now die I will look into how I can put plain ball point refills into them.

Here's another plot I did on my machine http://i.imgur.com/YjsaF5g.jpg Due to how the software I used was setup it ran over that 3 times. That's plain blue ball point ink. My CNC machine is like an artist.

Here's my latest pen holder http://i.imgur.com/KSlrLhH.jpg The pens are a friction fit into that tube. They just jamb up in there. Because the pen bodies are tapered, and I put a chamfer on the end of the tube.

Nice cnc pfred, I like the use of HDPE for the Z axis. I think the use of your cnc for a plotter is a great idea also. When I first made mine that is one of the tests I used to test the x and y axis for accuracy. Nice to have a machine that can make parts for itself and also make prints for the part!

Cheers, JR

pfredxi,

I too like your CNC for a plotter as you work through the G code and prove the electronics are doing what it is supposed to do. I think the machine would make a good engraver. JR has a great suggestion similar to what he did with his CNC machining center where the machine built it own parts for its next better version. Thank you for the photos and progress report.

Regards, Paul

To make a better machine I need to get metal frame material, ball screws, and real linear guides. But right now for what I am doing my drawer slide machine is sufficient.

Yes, I know the addiction of CNC.
One day I saw an ad for a sign machine that made letters and numbers and graphics it came with a computer, sign software and a plotter.
After many months of studying this system I finally got the software learned then I was hooked
hearing that plotter whizzing back and forth creating these wonderful graphics.
I still have the machine and it still works fine I use it to add graphics and signage to my many projects. Just another form of artistry to be moved by the hand of mankind.....:clapping:

I would like to build a simple plotter/cutter to cut paper gaskets. Any ideas?