I'm new to CNC but a previous projector builder, and I just wanted to say hello!
I haven't really gotten started building as I'm still thinking about what I want. I have started collecting parts and tools that I've been fairly certain I'll need however. I've found some cheap fairly high torque NEMA23 unipolar stepper motors from a local electronics shop (about $15 each which I think is a good price) I know unipolar is less powerful but I'm hoping I can use the linistep kits to drive the motors as the specs sound fantastic.
I've built a PIC chip programmer board and taken apart a couple old printers and power supplies sourced from value village for about $5 each to get my spare parts up a bit more, as well as a bunch of new electronics components to play with.
I'm not certain yet what I really want to do with my CNC yet however. I really like the idea of rapid prototyping things and cutting parts more accurately than I would be able to by hand. Some future projects I want to get to at some point include:
- Projector version 2.0 (1080p w/ custom enclosure, possibly fiberglass hood or similar construction material that would require complex framing)
- Surround sound home audio speaker enclosures
- Custom Fresnel lenses
- Remote controlled airplane parts
- Laser projector
Mostly I'd want to be able to cut various types of wood, acrylic or plastic and aluminum or other soft metals. I've heard it's important to have a variable speed router especially for metal working which generally needs low RPM.
I'm not as concerned with speed as much as accuracy, but I don't know how save these things are and if it's fine to leave the machining on their own. I haven't purchased a router for the machine yet, but I own a dremel and a riobi hand held router. I was thinking I'd try to build a mount for the dremel first and see how that works.
I think because of the size of things I generally want to build, I'm looking at a router table that's larger than the micro, but no where near as large as LL's full router table kit which is why I want to build this all myself. But also I really love learning how to do as much as possible myself so when things break or need to be replaced I can do it myself.
I guess I'm looking for some advice or essential (CNC?)LOG's / forum threads to check out to really learn more doing this project.
Thanks in advance!
Jack Kern