Sam Keller published a new build:

Read more about this build...

 

Here are the parts I made this out of.



I didn't use the Dewalt router mounts like I originally planned, I bought a separate Hitachi router mount. I also bought more hardware from the hardware store and I made some brackets from aluminum plate and angle.

These parts I bought from Amazon and Ebay










I'm using 2 of these power supplies






I had to grind out these belt tensioners to fit a 10mm belt pulley but they work good.

 

I just posted everything I bought for this. I didn't use everything but it is mostly right.
I really like the standalone controller although I was hoping to slave the 2nd x and z axis so I could have 2 homing switches on each axis so it would auto square but the controller doesn't have the slave capability so I have to manually square the x and z axis. I would probably buy a different one if it had the slave option.

 

Here is a step file of my layout. It is not 100% how I built it but its a good starting point.

 

These are dual shaft motors which I didn't need but bought because the price seemed good. The shaft at the bottom has a 2gt 20 tooth pulley. I made the aluminium plate to mount it to the c channel.

 

I got this idea from the low rider cnc. I wanted to minimize the weight on the gantry and this thing is very rigid, better than i expected. There is no deflection at all that i can see. The table i built is 6x10, the machine is about 5.5 x almost 10 and i get approx 4.5 x 9 ft cutting area.

 

I am happy to answer questions! I am Very excited about and pleased with this machine. I learned a lot building it also.

 

Here are a few more pictures.

 

The long c beams are 2 1500mm put together. I could have bought 3000mm ones but shipping was more. I have these lined up good so i don't have a problem with them.

 

The nema 23's are strong. Not struggling at all. My router is big and heavy so i can make pretty deep and fast cuts. Nema 17's might work if you don't push it too hard. I had a Bob's cnc E3 with nema 17's and it struggled and got of track if i ran too deep and too fast but that was the belts slipping so i went with 9mm belts instead of 6mm.

 

I think it makes the z axis force stronger and my router isn't cantilevered off the gantry so far. Plus the gantry goes up so i can fit thicker material under it. I had trouble with my last gantry so i wanted to try it. It works very good so far

 

I like the dust collector a lot except I have to get a cyclone separator for it. The bigger chips clog the inlet and stop it from sucking. This is what I'm getting to put on a bucket. I'll try it out this weekend.

 

To parallel the rails screwed one side down and then pushed the gantry down the rail as I screwed the other side down. It went well, I was worried about that.

 

I'm pretty sure with the wheels on the outside the forces are spread out more making it more stable. Plus I used 6 wheels on each gantry trying to make it as strong as possible.

Here is a picture of the x axis motion actuator, I had to drill and tap holes to mount the idler pulleys and the motor.

 

Hey Chuck,
Yes, I listed everything except some stuff I bought at my local hardware store and the wood for the table. It has a stand alone controller so no need for a computer to run it, just plug in my usb stick with my gcode and go. I love this machine, it's strong and fast and quieter than my small Bobs E3 cnc. I learned allot building it and I'm happy to answer questions. I live in central Illinois.