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A new book that BYOAC cabinet builders might enjoy...
GAtekwriter:
Note: Saint gave me permission to post about this - Jim
Hi, All. I wanted to share a bit of good news with my fellow arcade builders here - I've got a book I've co-authored titled "Build Your Own CNC Machine" and it's coming out at the end of November 2009. Not sure if this will be of interest to many here, but I've had fun writing it, building the machine, and using it...
I'll attach the cover and some pictures for you. Some more details:
* It has a 2' x 4' tabletop workspace with about 1.5" of non-usable surface around the perimeter. So, you can realistically work on wood, aluminum, or plastic that fits within the 2'x4' boundary.
* Depending on the router you choose to use (we use a laminate/hand router but it will support a full sized router), you can work on material up to about 7" tall, but the depth the router can cut down (on the z-axis) is dependent upon the surrounding area not impeding the up/down movement, so the depth of cut into super-thick material will really be limited to your bit depth/length as well as any material blocking the further downward movement.
* The entire thing can be built for less than $800.00. Yes, $800.00US. While most 2'x4' comparable CNC machines are running $7000 and higher, this is a completely reliable and fully functional 3-axis CNC machine. The book provides plans for cutting, drilling, etc... all the parts from MDF (very rigid and strong) and my co-author (Patrick) and I provide parts #s and locations to get all the electronics. Chapters show you how to wire up everything as well as where to get the free software used to control the stepper motors.
During the writing of this book, three separate machines were built - I built one, my dad built one, and my tech editor built one. All three are identical, working right now, and are very impressive to watch.
One of the reasons Patrick and I did this book was to make CNC technology available to a larger group of users - traditionally, these machines have been (and are) expensive to own and complicated to operate and repair. Well, when you build your own arcade cabinet you know every part, how it all comes together, and you'll know how to fix it... same with a CNC machine. And the best part is how easy it is to cut and drill replacement parts if you need them.
It does require a router, but most of you cabinet builders are already super familiar with that tool! The book provides a website, discussion forum, videos, full color photos for downloading, etc... all to support readers of the book who want to build their own machine. We're hoping to hear from students, shop teachers, parents, and after-school groups who take on building their own CNC machine(s) and we'd love to see photos and videos of your machine and your designs.
Again, the book is out in late November... if you have any other questions, let me know.
BTW, in the pics, those non-CNC-machine items are:
* A set of plate stands
* carving of a cartoon dog
* Sign for a small business
* various circular stands for hot dishes
* carving of some hand tools
Jim
Ginsu Victim:
Though it's nothing I'd ever build, congrats on the book! Awesome to see BYOAC folks doing cool stuff like this! :applaud:
fatfingers:
Please let us know when and where we can buy the book when it is available. I cannot imagine my wife actually letting me build one of these, but I'd sure like to read about how you do it.
:cheers:
HaRuMaN:
:applaud:
bkenobi:
As a mechanical engineer...WOW! That's freaking AWESOME!!! :cheers:
Out of curiosity, is there anything other than the actuators that keeps this from being built larger? Since it's primarily for sheet wood material, being able to accept 4'x8' sheets would be amazing.
I can't say I would use a CNC machine that often, but it seems like a lot of fun building one and bragging about having one in the garage!
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