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Wetland CNC Build

6K views 43 replies 10 participants last post by  rawdawgs50 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I supposed some of you might be interested in seeing this so I am filming a bit as I bring it to life.

This is a 4'x5' CNC Router that will have a rack and pinion setup. If all goes as planned, it should prove to be a big help to production and allow me to take on jobs that were to time consuming before.

I have quite a few months of research and design and parts selection into this….it should work as planned…if not, I am committed to making it work as planned. A little revision along to way never hurts.

My two goals were to build a machine around my wood working needs first and then for a cost of less than half of what it would be to buy one this size. It is not inexpensive to build this, but very cost effective when looking at the alternative.

My benchmark for a good CNC for my needs is the ShopBot. While this one will not have all the bells and whistles…its the accuracy I am aiming for.

Video Here:


-Jason
Wetland Wood Works
 
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#27 ·
Thanks Ron and I am glad to hear you are building a machine as well. I would like to compare notes. This is all uncharted territory for me, but like you I am consumed by the project when time allows. I already have ideas for what I might do different,y next time around….funny how that happens before I am even done with this one.

I am taking my time with this build for sure, probably way to much time, but I am trying real hard to get everything as dead on as I can. I can certainly see why others go the 80/20 route…fast assembly time….but half the project for me was just doing something different….and keeping costs at bay.

Good luck with the build and let me know if you post on it.
 
#28 ·
Raedawg50,
I'm about halfway through my build and incorporating changes as I go along. I originally planned on using the PC 2.25 hp router, but switched over to the Bosch Colt trim router. I'm trying to cut down on the weight and moments on the Z-axis. I'm also replacing some of the wood parts with metal ones, all in an attempt to make it more sturdy. During this hot weather, I spend more time indoors at my computer redesigning parts. BTW, I'm retired, so I can afford to spend a lot of time on this.
 
#30 ·
Looks like you are coming into the homestretch. It looks like overkill, but that's ok; that's the way I do things. My approach is similat to yours; wood for the table and gantry and metal for the Y and Z axis, well within the capacity of my mill. Some parts are wood, but I plan to change them out with aluminum parts. I'm not doing that yet as I want to see what the limitations of wood are. If wood works, I will stick with it.
 
#36 ·
rawdog just wondering what you have invested . if you dont mind. Ive been seeing bots go pretty cheap lately . by the looks of things yours will do the job. it will be interesting to see if it holds up to racking due to cutting under force( gantry staying square to the bed) also cut speeds and accuracy keep us posted ,thanks dan
 
#37 ·
Dan,

I do not know the exact amount I have into it, I would guess including all the extras I am putting into it, plus cost of router, the computer/monitor but no software I would be somewhere around $1900-2000 once I finish it depending on what I add.

So considering the size, speed and best quality electronics and motors on the market for a non servo setup that is getting it done on a budget and then some.

Its highly unlikely that my x- y axis will rack at any perceptible amount with motors on both sides complete with gear in track short of a motor failure. Its far more robust as a complete package then without the assemblies on when I had mentioned it previously in the earlier videos.
As far as it racking from the z-y…..a bit would snap before that gantry will flex. Its quite beefy.

I tried grabbing the gantry while it was rolling and tried to stop it….not so much. I am pretty sure it could snap your arm if it got pinned. Some how.

What are the used shopbots going for for something this size?
 
#38 ·
Rawdawgs50 ,
I have been folliowing your cnc project for a few months now. I really like your videos and how well you explain in details how your cnc is being built. Have you cut anything yet? I don't own a cnc YET but I am very interested in your design. Thanks for your ideas.
 
#39 · (Edited by Moderator)
Amendment to the above cost estimate. I forgot about some things "here and there" but remember them after I wrote that. I really did not factor into the cost "stuff" I had on hand already. Not a big deal but the cost, again with no software, is probably closer to $2200-2300 as it sits right now. But that will bump up a little more as I start adding in things like control switches, e chain, plexi, some more wiring etc. Then there could be enhancements like a vacuum table, spindle upgrade or a different dust collection etc.

Its a pretty modular setup, so I can modify anything I want relatively easy should the need arise.
 
#40 · (Edited by Moderator)
Alright guys/gals…I am going to do a batch update on this. If you have not checked out the vids in a while…its up and running. The only thing holding me back right now is just a little more fool proofing the machine with some 'limiters' and then learning the ends and outs of the software packages.

I suspect the software will be an ongoing learning adventure…but there is a little bit of a curve just to get going. Almost there with that.

I have really started to get the machine dialed in while playing with it. Its tight and strong. But the true test is going to be under a hard load. So until that point, I am still cautious, but if its responsiveness and strength during testing are foreshadowing how its going to perform, I think the only thing that will slow it down will be the router not having enough balls to pulverize the wood at rapid speed.

In the last video I am posting today…I hooked up one of my 'toys' and made it a very useful tool. Turns out the Xbox 360 controller is good for other things besides sniping enemies in the Call of Duty.

Knowing what I know now I feel I could do this again a whole lot quicker the second time around. Got some ideas good ideas about making a heavy duty water cooled CNC mill, but I would really like to make a 3D printer as well.

These things are kind of like a router table….its a whole lot easier to make one, if you had one to begin with.

Hope you all are enjoying the build.

Video 18 - Building the Router Mount
... 8EDk1RGIhQ


Video 19 - Mounting the Monitor

... 8EDk1RGIhQ

Video 20 - Xbox 360 Controller Upgrade
 
#41 ·
Great post! Thanks for putting the videos online. Have you thought about building a mount for a Harbor Freight plasma cutter. You could cut metal parts to replace the wood parts on this one and have both a CNC router and a CNC plasma cutter.
 
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