blood4guts
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/25 19:56:30
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After using a huge, old mill, it is very refreshing to see smaller mills. As for the CNC component, nothing is cooler than programming in a shape and having an automated mill make the cuts so much more accurately. I would definitely have one if I found a worthwile purpose for it.
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knightsilver
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/25 20:00:13
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Hey, Nate, how about building me the 70' Chevelle now?
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nateman_doo
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/25 20:40:17
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as long as parts are under 18x18 I am for hire ;)
Blood, once you have one you will want to use it for anything. they are great for cars too. Lets say you want to install a different alternator. You could make new brackets for it with relative ease.
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Halfdead14
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/25 20:55:06
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I'm torn between buying a laser cutter, cnc machine, or 3d printer.
Decisions!
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Brad_Hawthorne
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/25 21:38:49
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☄ Helpful
Halfdead14
I'm torn between buying a laser cutter, cnc machine, or 3d printer.
Decisions!
My suggestion would be to not buy any unless you know what you want to use them for. 3D Printer is a lot more crude resolution than a CNC. Same concept, but ones is additive and the other is substractive. Problem with laser is it's only 2.5 axis. You get a lot more functionality out of a 3 axis mill. Personally, I'd like to have a 48x48" laser CNC table and a VMC much like a Haas VF1. Then throw in a decent manual engine lathe. My pocketbook isn't that deep though.
post edited by Brad_Hawthorne - 2012/01/25 21:40:13
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nateman_doo
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 05:05:37
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Halfdead14
I'm torn between buying a laser cutter, cnc machine, or 3d printer.
Decisions!
Definatly have to know what you want to make before you buy. I would say you could do the most with the CNC and it could still fit on top of a desktop.
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knightsilver
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 05:38:01
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How much for a 1-24 scale copper mok-up of a 70' Chevelle? OK Im joking, but that would be cool....
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blood4guts
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 06:49:05
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When I used the mill it was used with much purpose, we were making parts for our FRC robot. 450 hours in six weeks can do anyone in lol.
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nateman_doo
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 07:17:58
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What material are you cutting? sounds like prototyping aluminum. Think of the largest part size you will need to cut (just to make life easier) - Or just get the harbor freight mini mill and get your feet wet and understand manual milling before making the plunge. You have to learn quite a bit by trial and error.
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Halfdead14
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 19:43:11
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Brad_Hawthorne
Halfdead14
I'm torn between buying a laser cutter, cnc machine, or 3d printer.
Decisions!
My suggestion would be to not buy any unless you know what you want to use them for. 3D Printer is a lot more crude resolution than a CNC. Same concept, but ones is additive and the other is subtractive. Problem with laser is it's only 2.5 axis. You get a lot more functionality out of a 3 axis mill.
Personally, I'd like to have a 48x48" laser CNC table and a VMC much like a Haas VF1. Then throw in a decent manual engine lathe. My pocketbook isn't that deep though.
It's really just something to keep me busy, I'm quite bored lately and have always wanted any one of these products, but I think a CNC mill is the right move for now. Just because of the ventilation and power requirements of the cnc laser I want, and a 3d printer is fairly cheap considering the costs of buying a completed cnc mill I could always grab one later.
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nateman_doo
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 20:04:18
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A cnc isnt exactly something u just buy & go to work. You can do that with a manual mill but u will end up learning lots of lessons the hard way. It was easier for me to make a CNC then to learn to use it.
I think I am probably around 20% of the full potential of a CNC, and it has taken many months and hard lessons learned.
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Halfdead14
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 20:27:20
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nateman_doo
A cnc isnt exactly something u just buy & go to work. You can do that with a manual mill but u will end up learning lots of lessons the hard way. It was easier for me to make a CNC then to learn to use it.
I think I am probably around 20% of the full potential of a CNC, and it has taken many months and hard lessons learned.
I have a relative background in the field as far as the modeling/programming, so that isn't what worries me. It's getting the supplies and materials locally is what will be restrictive. I've worked with just about every tool(minus cnc machines) since I had access to a huge workshop growing up.
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Brad_Hawthorne
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 20:37:38
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In order for CNC to completely make sense to me I had to get an AAS in it. At the very least I'd take some machine shop community college courses. I lucked out mostly because my previous line of work was production art. Most of production art is doing layout and illustration in 2D. The concepts converted over to 3D quite well even though the technical terms were all screwed up in the change. The concepts were largely similar if you are used to Adobe Illustrator pen tool and layout work.
post edited by Brad_Hawthorne - 2012/01/26 20:39:33
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 20:39:43
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How much does it run to make what you have there in the pic?
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Halfdead14
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 20:43:01
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Brad_Hawthorne
In order for CNC to completely make sense to me I had to get an AAS in it. At the very least I'd take some machine shop community college courses.
Yeah, I definitely expect a learning curve, I'm eager to learn though. I'm still looking for a reasonably good kit or one already assembled for a good price, preferably 3-4k maybe more if needed, if you know of any let me know!
post edited by Halfdead14 - 2012/01/26 20:50:04
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Brad_Hawthorne
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 20:51:14
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Halfdead14
Brad_Hawthorne
In order for CNC to completely make sense to me I had to get an AAS in it. At the very least I'd take some machine shop community college courses.
Yeah, I definitely expect a learning curve, I'm eager to learn though. I'm still looking for a reasonably good kit or one already assembled for a good price, preferably 3-4k maybe more if needed, if you know of any let me know!
Your initial stop should be at CNCZone.com's forums. You could get lost in there for months working out things though. You're either going to need a mentor, a boat load of patience, and/or some school seat time to get it all worked out.
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nateman_doo
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 21:25:29
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Halfdead14
Yeah, I definitely expect a learning curve, I'm eager to learn though. I'm still looking for a reasonably good kit or one already assembled for a good price, preferably 3-4k maybe more if needed, if you know of any let me know!
I would gladly hook you up with something similar to mine.
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RBIEZE
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/26 22:38:02
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☄ Helpful
As was said earlier, the learning curve is steep. But another aspect to consider for the hobby machinist is the financial point. You'll need tooling (Cutters),Precision measuring tools, and a clean dry place in which to keep and use the machine. And ...on top of that, a Cnc machine is only as good as the program that its using. So, either you practice for many many hours hand coding programs, or you purchase some Cad/Cam software such as MasterCam etc... which is VERY $$$ costly and in itself has a steep learning curve. I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from pursuing Cnc machining as a hobby, but you must understand that it is a VERY involved process. As Im sure NateMan can attest too... So Good luck and have fun 
post edited by RBIEZE - 2012/01/26 22:39:57
They say opposites attract. I hope you meet someone who is good-looking, intelligent, and cultured. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2WsPN-rr9o Evga X58 4Way sli,W'Cooled i7 950 @3.8, Mushkin redline mem @6-7-6-18 1600Mhz, 2-Evga GTX770 Sli, Evga Gtx460 Physx, Corsair Neutron 120GB SSD,Samsung 240SSD, W.D Black 640GB /Corsair TX950 Psu, Hanns-G 28" Lcd, Logitech G540 5.1 Surround My Affiliate Code: EECLVEDV7Z 
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nateman_doo
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Re:How to make a CNC machine.
2012/01/27 08:00:18
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There are 4 members here in the forums (that I know of) that can help you with this learning curve.
Brad, Rbieze, gratioutious, and myself.
I am sure there are others and I am drawing blank, but CNCzone.com - metal working machine - benchtop machines would be were we all sort of fit in there as hobby machinists. You will likely see all my newbish posts there.
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