Project CNC

1) Linear rails: I list the linear rails (shown in blue) first because you don’t want to build a table and then find out you can’t find some rails to fit it. Better to buy the rails and then build the table to fit them. That logic only applies if you’re going the eBay route. I bought mine on eBay– four of them for $496.00. I had no idea what I was doing. As it turned out I got them fairly reasonably. I also bought some that were no where near the right size and had to resell them. These just happened to be 20mm (about .8″) wide x 15mm (about .6″) tall and 53.5″ long. That seemed long enough to make a good sized table so I proceeded to build my machine around them. I shortened two of them to make the gantry. Anyhow, you have to either get these or know what size you’re going to get. I’m happy with my choice which was a total shot in dark. It doesn’t really matter what I paid because it has nothing to do with what you’ll pay. Don’t assume you can’t afford new ones. Check www.automation4less.com, or their discount site at www.automation-overstock.com. Best I can tell– rails 53 inches long will cost you about $155.00 each. If you replicate my table you’ll need two of them and then you’ll need two more shorter ones for the gantry. So figure $600 for the four rails as a max and then try to do better. That will not include the blocks. $600

2) Aluminum beam 1-1/2″ x 3″: I used two of these 53-5/8″ long. They are marketed under the name “8020″. There is a discount outlet on eBay known as “8020 Garage Sale”. My dealings with them was great. They’ll even cut the stuff for you. My advice is to make a list of what you need and wait until you can afford to get it all cut and shipped at one time. http://stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale

3) Aluminum cross members/legs 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″: These are also 8020 stock (see above). You will need four of them 36″ long for the legs. You’ll need four 53-5/8″ and two 48″ all for the platform. You’re also going to need a couple of pieces for the gantry (not listed here).

4) Joining plates

5) Button-head bolts

6) Square nuts

7) Washers

Floor plates

9) 5/16″ Red Head anchors, nuts, washers

10) Angle clips

11) 3/8″ threaded rod, nuts, washers

12) One sheet 4′ x 8′ x 3/4″ MDF

I figure all the aluminum listed above should run you about $308. Subtotal now $908

BREAKOUT BOARD:

Got mine from www.campbelldesigns.net. $130.00 plus $8.50 postage. Be sure to look at the one at homeshopcnc.com for $69.00. I don’t suggest anything I haven’t used because I have no way of knowing about it, but it looks good. Ask them about it. Subtotal now $1046.50

DRIVERS:

You’ll need three of these. I don’t actually know how many options there are for buying drivers. But I do know this: I wouldn’t buy them anywhere else for half the price. Geckodrive.com is the place to go. They also have dealers that may be closer to you. If you begin visiting CNCZone.com you’ll soon notice that Marcus and Mariss Freimanis, the operators (and I believe, the owners) of Geckodrive spend a lot of time there answering questions and offering support to those who have driver questions. They are incredibly generous with their time and talk down to no one. You get more than the drivers when you buy Gecko. This particular model, the 201, runs a little over a hundred bucks but you can get a package deal on your motors and the drivers from HomeShopCNC.com, so check ‘em out before you order. You’ll need three tiny resistors, one for each driver. So ask about those when you order. For now I’m going to list the drivers as three-hundred dollars. Subtotal now $1346.50

MOTORS:

My system takes three of these. Two of them have only one shaft, while the third one has another shaft coming out the other end. Mine are 640s. HomeShopCNC.com has replaced them with 740s. The single-shafted motors are $109.00 and the double-shafted ones are $115.00. They’ll sell you a Gecko driver for $99 when you buy a motor. My motors and drivers have performed flawlessly despite lots of accidental abuse. Going to list the motors at $350 to cover shipping. Not including the drivers because I listed them previously. Subtotal now $1696.50

POWER SUPPLY:

GANTRY